Assistant Professor, Journalism & Digital Media

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 38 majors.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis.” The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

The Department of Journalism and Broadcasting is located in the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies at Mount Royal University. We invite applications for a tenure-track position in Journalism & Digital Media which will commence July 1, 2022, subject to final budgetary approval, at the Rank of Assistant Professor. Candidates with a strong research agenda can expect to teach 3 and 3, while candidates on the non-research track teach 4 and 4.

The successful candidate’s academic home will be in the School of Communication Studies, where students receive a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in one of four areas:

• Journalism & Digital Media
• Broadcast Media Studies
• Information Design
• Public Relations

The successful candidate will join the Journalism and Digital Media team. Our group is dedicated to teaching excellence and research-informed practice. We are collaborative and committed to ensuring your interests, expertise, and lived experience have a meaningful place in our creative environment.  Many on the team are engaged in scholarly research in areas such as the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Podcasting, Local News Poverty, International Education, Inclusion and Representation, and Professional Identity.  The department prides itself in continual engagement with students, evidenced in part by our student-driven publications.

Experience in teaching, mentoring, and advising diverse learners is a valuable asset. While a PhD is preferred; a Master’s degree is required. Candidates who do not have a Master’s will be considered, however the Master’s degree must be completed no later than the third year of the five-year tenure-track period. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Mount Royal University is strongly committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, intellectual and cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, faculty and their scholarship including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual or gender identity, ethnic, national or socio-economic background, religion or age.

Our publications

Working closely with our students, our faculty mentors are invested in co-creating creative publications that represent the culmination of student-led storytelling, evidence-based reporting, and community engagement.

Calgary Journal

A dynamic and award-winning online news publication. We think of the Journal as a wild garden, where a myriad of content can grow to support the community and  student portfolios.

Article 1 Magazine
A new national magazine (print and online) that focuses on human rights reporting. We see this magazine playing a role in reporting not only on people’s lived experience, but also the systems that must be broken down if positive societal change is to happen.

The Podcast Studio

A site dedicated to amplifying the voice of under-represented people.  Students will learn to podcast and help community members learn to podcast. The Studio is part of our Community Podcasting Initiative, funded in part by Shaw.

CMRU Radio

A 24/7 radio station, associated with the Broadcast Media Studies degree.

 
What We Are in Search of 

We wish not to list so many elements that applicants become overwhelmed and unable to “see themselves” in the role. As such, we encourage applicants to review the elements below holistically, knowing that no individual can possibly “tick” all the boxes. We are committed to listening carefully as candidates will be invited to share their perspectives.

Essential Requirements

• A clear vision of where and how equity, diversity and inclusion should live in the Canadian journalism landscape, in our university, in our curriculum, and our classrooms
• Proven experience teaching or training adults in the journalism, or communications sector
• Ability to create strong relationships with students as you edit their public-facing work. This is a big part of the job
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, students and community stakeholders on significant public-facing projects
• An understanding of why scholarly teaching matters

Examples of Experience We Value

• Decolonizing journalism education
• Practice-based skills such as podcasting, videography, photography, writing, editing, visualizations
• Engaging in community-centred journalism and/or solutions journalism
• Data journalism and/or investigative journalism
• Informing journalism practice with evolving theoretical and ethical frameworks
• Media entrepreneurship and marketing
• Inclusive curriculum design and pedagogy

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching/ scholarship/ service pattern (TSS) has a focus on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member be involved in a research program as well as service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching/ service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching and service only. The successful candidate will be hired in the pattern that best aligns with their interests and expertise, however the department is hopeful that candidates are thinking critically about their scholarship interests and capacities. There is an option to change work patterns after tenure.

For further information, contact Sally Haney, Chair, Department of Journalism & Digital Media at (403) 440-5957 or[email protected]  

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Due to changing Covid-19 precautions, this role may possibly require the incumbent to temporarily work from home. Access to a secure personal computer and stable internet connection is required. Effective January 1, 2022, Mount Royal University will require all employees to be fully vaccinated with a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine . Currently, employees must be either vaccinated or provide rapid test results twice a week..

Closing date:      We will begin interviewing candidates in mid-December. The search will continue until a suitable candidate is hired. If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request.

Required application materials

• Cover letter – share with us your perspective on what needs to change in journalism practice and education and what perspectives you bring to this role
• Resume
• References: Please include at least one referee who can comment on your teaching ability, one who can comment on your journalism experience, and one who can comment on your personal suitability
• Evidence of teaching (or training) excellence
• And, if the teaching/ scholarship/ service (TSS) pattern is desirable, evidence of intent to pursue a research program.
• Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).