Chair, School of Journalism

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, Ryerson University* is a distinctly urban university with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. It is guided by a bold Academic Plan, an ambitious research agenda, and a Master Plan to revitalize the campus and surrounding neighbourhood. The special mission of the University is the advancement of applied knowledge and research to address societal need, and the provision of programs of study that offer a balance between theory and application and that prepare students for careers in professional and quasi-professional fields. It is the most applied-to university in Ontario relative to available spaces and its reputation with business and community leaders continues to rise. It is clearly a university on the move.

*In August 2021, the university announced that it would begin a renaming process to reconcile the legacy of Egerton Ryerson for a more inclusive future. To learn more, please visit: https://www.ryerson.ca/next-chapter/

The University’s Creative School (formerly the Faculty of Communication & Design) is the Creative Innovation Hub and is a national leader for educational programs in media, applied communication, design, and the fine and performing arts. Nearly 6,000 students are enrolled in The Creative School, across nine professional schools (Journalism, Image Arts, RTA School of Media, Performance, Fashion, Interior Design, Professional Communication, Graphic Communications Management, and Creative Industries). The Faculty is actively involved in graduate studies with Master’s programs in Film and Photography Preservation & Collections Management, Documentary Media, Fashion, Journalism, Media Production, and Professional Communication, as well as the joint York/Ryerson program in Communication and Culture.

Inside The Creative School is the University’s School of Journalism, a leader in the innovative teaching of journalism in Canada and a centre of excellence for research and creative activity. The School’s student body, comprising more than 500 undergraduates and 55 Master of Journalism students, has an outstanding record of achievement. The School of Journalism embraces its responsibility to honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 86, asking journalism schools to educate students about the complex social, political, legal and economic histories of Indigenous peoples. It welcomes in particular applications from candidates who embrace and participate in these teaching and research areas.

It is within this context that The School of Journalism at The Creative School (formerly the Faculty of Communication and Design) at Ryerson University invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Chair of the School of Journalism. This appointment will be for a term of five years (subject to renewal in year 3), commencing early in 2022 with the possibility of renewal for an additional three- or five-year term.

In recognition of the under-representation of marginalized, racialized and Indigenous persons in academic administrative roles and in support of the School of Journalism’s Action Plan which focuses on equity and student collaboration, The Creative School especially welcomes applications from racialized and Indigenous persons. We seek candidates from equity-deserving groups who can demonstrate a deep commitment to the principles of equity, inclusion and student support.

Reporting to the Dean, the Chair will be a visionary, energetic, entrepreneurial and an accomplished team builder who will: i) actively support and implement the School of Journalism’s Action Plan; ii) provide exemplary academic and administrative leadership, including stewardship of human and financial resources; iii) work collaboratively to provide leadership for curriculum and faculty development, research and scholarly activity, while promoting and coordinating the continued evolution of the School , and; iv) participate actively in the intellectual life of the School of Journalism, The Creative School, the University, the community, and collaborate with other academic institutions and the industry. To read more about the duties and responsibilities of Department Chair, please see article 26.1.E. of the Ryerson Faculty Association Collective Agreement.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic academic leader and educator who is a tenured faculty member or who will be eligible for tenure upon appointment. In addition to being appointed as the Chair, the successful candidate must be eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor in The Creative School. An industry professional with a background in journalism, the successful candidate must hold a PhD or Master’s degree, ideally in Journalism. Candidates must have an understanding of the broadening of journalistic roles, and demonstrated experience covering, or teaching the coverage, of underrepresented communities in Canada, such as Black and Indigenous communities. As the ideal candidate, you have the capacity to provide effective academic and administrative leadership, including stewardship of human and financial resources, and are comfortable mediating, facilitating, nurturing, and implementing transformational change. You have an excellent record of scholarly or creative activities, and proven excellence in teaching and/or coaching emerging journalists. You have exceptional communication, organizational and interpersonal skills, and a proven record of collaboration. You have experience with strategic planning, and a comfort and willingness to be an ambassador in promoting the School across the University and externally with industry, including academic partnerships, liaising with industry, and community engagement. You hold a deep commitment to the well-being and development of students and to the evolution of education. The ideal candidate must embody the following traits: academic excellence, collegiality, innovation and entrepreneurship, leadership, nimbleness and responsiveness. Candidates must also have a deep and proven commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion; related lived and personal experience is considered an asset.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Ryerson Faculty Association (RFA) (www.rfanet.ca). The RFA collective agreement can be viewed here and a summary of RFA benefits can be found here.

The University encourages applications from members of groups that have been historically underserved, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

To apply or explore this key academic leadership position at Ryerson University further, please contact Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).

Ryerson University is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Griffith Group and the University throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.