About the Position
The Department of Ethnic Studies at Western Washington University is inviting applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in Native and Indigenous Studies, beginning Fall 2027.
We seek a community-engaged interdisciplinary candidate who combines scholarly work on pressing Indigenous issues with a demonstrated record of deep commitments to Native American communities. We are especially interested in scholars whose teaching, research, and scholarship engage one or more of the following: Native sovereignty, food sovereignty, activism, environmental justice, Native ecologies, tribal governance, cultural revitalization, alternative epistemologies. We are open to all disciplines.
The successful applicant will be well qualified to teach introductory and advanced undergraduate courses in Native and Indigenous Studies and Ethnic Studies and will participate in the collaborative building of our new department. Additional responsibilities include standard quarter-system teaching assignment (2-2-2); exemplary teaching; active program of scholarly activity; service to the department, college, university, and profession through a range of activities. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students and will offer a strong record of community-engaged scholarship and research ethics.
Required Qualifications
- PhD at time of application in American Indian, Native American, Indigenous Studies, Ethnic Studies, or other relevant field in the Humanities and/or Social Sciences.
- A demonstrated ability to teach introductory and advanced theory and methods courses (undergraduate).
- A demonstrated research record that leads to publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or other forms of scholarly dissemination.
- A demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse students and cultivate learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues, including a demonstrated ability and commitment to healthy communication and collaborative work practices that are culturally-responsive and appropriate.
- For appointment at the Associate Professor level (tenure track), demonstrated significant research and evidence of successful teaching commensurate with standards for promotion to Associate Professor in the Department, College, and University.
Preferred Qualifications
- A commitment to building a strong Ethnic Studies Department through curriculum development as well as demonstrated leadership.
- Additional expertise in the Pacific Northwest.
- Demonstrated commitment to collaborative and community-engaged research.
Application Instructions
To be considered for the position, application materials must be submitted via WWU’s PageUp, Western's online employment management system. Candidates should upload the following as part of a complete application:
- Letter of application specifically addressing the qualifications;
- CV;
- Separate statement addressing demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning and working environments that are equitable and inclusive of students, faculty, and staff with diverse social identities and backgrounds; and evidencing commitment to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students;
- Evidence of successful teaching (e.g., philosophy on teaching, student evaluations, course materials, etc.);
- Sample publications (no more than two)
- Graduate transcripts; and
- Names and contact information of three professional references. Do not send letters of recommendation; three letters of recommendation will be required at the semi-finalist stage and these will be requested of candidates' referees via the PageUp system.
Finalists may be asked for student course evaluations if they were not provided with the application. For questions regarding the position, application process, or department, contact the Department Manager at ethnic.studies@wwu.edu.