The Department of Human Development at Connecticut College invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in the area of Child and Family Rights, Public Policy, and Social Justice, beginning July 1, 2019.

We seek a dynamic colleague who is passionately committed to teaching and research in a department that is noted for linking theory and research with practice, valuing interdisciplinarity, and having a strong commitment to diversity and community engagement. The candidate is expected to balance teaching and research responsibilities with service commitments to the department and College.

The candidate’s scholarly interest may include developing a research program that broadly examines how contemporary public and social policies address links between children or youth development within the contexts of family configuration, poverty, welfare, mass incarceration, and differential access to education. Candidates with expertise in public policy that focuses on understanding systemic transformations in areas of early childhood or adolescent deprivation and trauma, and the negative consequences tied to the phenomena of preschool to prison pipeline, and policy change for social justice are encouraged to apply.

The candidate’s research can potentially focus on how social policies are historically formulated, debated, and practically implemented to address social problems that disproportionately impact underrepresented groups—especially children and families of color. We seek a candidate with a potential for producing high-quality scholarship in the area of children or adolescence and social policy along with a demonstrated ability to teach courses that conceptually link social justice and the practical implementation of public policies affecting children and families.

The candidate would develop a research program that involves undergraduates and, ideally, works collaboratively with the Connecticut College Children’s Program Lab School, a fully inclusive site that serves a population of families with children from toddlers to age six who have diverse backgrounds and abilities.  The department has a seventy-two-year history of serving children and families; it provides extensive curricular and research opportunities for undergraduates as they work with the Children’s Program Lab School’s highly trained professional staff and faculty. Additionally, the department and the College have excellent working relationships with residents in the region and with the agencies that serve them.

We see the new hire as continuing a strong tradition of valuing both research and teaching, and expect the candidate to develop a high-quality research program that would involve students in constructive ways. The candidate will have opportunities to pursue their research and teaching interests by drawing on goodwill and support from the community and from a demographically diverse local population.

The Human Development department is recognized for its commitment to creating a spirit of collegiality and collaborative engagement.  The department faculty are active in a number of multidisciplinary research areas that include child and adolescent development and associations to learning and academic achievement, metacognition and motivation, qualitative and quantitative modes of inquiry, cultural dynamics of globalization, influence of media on identity, children’s rights, family policies, racial identity, older adults and health disparities, and coping and resiliency within community contexts.

The courses for this position could include teaching sections of the introductory course on Human Development across the life-span, Children’s Rights and Public Policy, Adolescent Development, Social Policy Analysis and Public Policy. The candidate will also have opportunities to develop new courses that draw on their personal experiences, scholarly interests and expertise. The normal teaching load is five courses annually, with a one-course reduction in the first year.  Faculty members are expected to contribute to the College’s Connections program, which includes a first-year seminar component. Salary is competitive. Tenure-track faculty receive a semester’s leave at full salary after their third year if they are re-appointed for the full probationary period. Tenured faculty receive eighty percent of salary during a sabbatical year or 100% salary during a one-semester sabbatical.

Connecticut College is a private, highly selective institution with a demonstrated commitment to outstanding faculty teaching and research. Recognizing that intellectual vitality and diversity are inseparable, the College has embarked on a significantly successful initiative to diversify its faculty, student body, and curriculum. The College seeks creative scholars excited about working in a liberal arts setting, with its strong focus on engaged teaching, participation in shared governance, and active involvement in an institution-wide advancement of diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates who share this understanding and will contribute to the diversity of our college community, including members of historically underrepresented groups. AA/EEO

To apply, submit: 1) cover letter and candidate’s current C.V.; 2) separate statements on teaching philosophy, research interests; courses taught; 3) graduate transcripts; 4) four letters of recommendation; 5) samples of scholarly work; 6) teaching evaluations; 7) and any other relevant supporting materials to Interfolio: http://apply.interfolio.com/56205. To retain font and formatting integrity, please save documents in .pdf format. Please address your cover letter to Dr. Sunil Bhatia, Chair, Human Development Search Committee. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.