The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) and Faculty of Information & Media Studies (FIMS) at Western University are pleased to invite applications for a joint appointment as faculty colleague and Graduate Program Chair in Health Information Science (HIS). We will appoint at the rank of Associate Professor (tenured), probationary Associate Professor (with early eligibility for tenure at Western) or Assistant Professor in the final years of a tenure-track appointment (probationary). Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The Faculty of Health Sciences is a dynamic and collaborative teaching and research environment with four signature research areas (FHS strategic research plan) in mobility, social determinants of health/health equity, health information and technology, and changing health services, systems and policy. The Faculty of Information of Media Studies offers research and teaching in information, media and technology systems, histories, and practices to understand the role of media and information in democratic process and the social and cultural determinants of power and agency (FIMS Strategic Plan). Health and its coordinates in policy and technology are key FIMS research areas.
The HIS Program is a well-established graduate program offered jointly by the two Faculties. The program sits at the intersection of our two missions and supports innovative research, teaching, and knowledge mobilization. The HIS program provides students with fundamental knowledge about human health and its sociotechnical contexts; health organizations and health care delivery in Canada and globally; health informatics; and the impacts of digital technologies on individual and societal health. The successful candidate will lead the program as Graduate Program Chair with the support of an administrative coordinator and Associate Deans in both Faculties. Evidence of leadership experience or capacity is important.
Possible areas of research and teaching: As a researcher, the successful candidate will contribute to growing collaborations in digital health studies at FHS and FIMS. Their specialty areas may include (but are not limited to):
- health information science including the critical analysis of health mis- and dis-information,
- online health information contexts
- health and social media
- science and technology studies (STS) with a focus on digital health technologies
- health informatics
- health communication and knowledge mobilization in a digital context
- information ethics and health policy in government and clinical settings
- health equity
- Indigenous health frameworks in community and digital contexts
In addition to research and leadership activity, the candidate will have the opportunity to teach in the Health Information Sciences graduate program (with reduced teaching expectations). The ability to teach and supervise at the graduate level in health informatics, digital health studies, or knowledge mobilization would be beneficial.
The successful candidate will hold a PhD and will have a background in a health-related discipline such as Health Sciences/Studies, Nursing, Kinesiology, or Rehabilitation Sciences and/or in Library and Information Science, Communication, Media Studies, Sociology, or Science and Technology Studies (STS). The joint appointment will be in FIMS and one of six Schools in FHS (Kinesiology, Health Studies, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Communication Sciences and Disorders). The successful candidate’s research record will include external funding (from such sources as foundations and government research agencies, including the Tri-Council in Canada), peer-reviewed publication, and national/international exposure through invited lectures and/or conference symposia, as appropriate for their discipline and career stage.
In short, the successful candidate will be an academic with demonstrated teaching and research commitments to digital health studies, openness to interdisciplinarity, and leadership ability.
The candidate may benefit from interactions with Western’s Research Centres and Institutes, among them the Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion, the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, and the newly formed Center for Digital Justice, Community and Democracy.
Western has a full-time enrolment of approximately 32,000 in a range of academic and professional programs. With annual research funding exceeding $220 million and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses. Western’s Recruitment and Retention Office is available to assist in the transition of successful applicants and their families.
Western University recognizes that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is central to the University’s mandate as a research-intensive institution of higher learning and a community leader. Western understands that our pursuit of research excellence and our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion are mutually supporting. The successful applicant will show evidence of contributing to equity, diversity, and inclusion in academia.
The anticipated start date is July 1, 2024. Interested applicants are invited to submit a complete application package, as a single PDF file, containing the following:
- Application for Full-Time Faculty Position form
- Cover letter (highlighting leadership experience or capacity, and connection to both Faculties and research entities at Western)
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- A brief description of the candidate’s current research program, past accomplishments, and future plans
- Links to representative publications
- The names and contact information for three references
- A statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in relation to their teaching and research
The application package can be submitted via email to:
Drs. S. Jayne Garland and Lisa Henderson
Search Committee Co-Chairs
Western University
Arthur and Sonia Labatt Health Sciences Building, Room 200 1151 Richmond St. N.
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 3K7
wechebot@uwo.ca
The deadline for receipt of application packages is November 13, 2023.
Please quote number HS-257 on all correspondence for this position.
Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Wanda Chebott, Executive Assistant to the Dean of Health Sciences at wechebot@uwo.ca or 519-661-4239.
