Assistant Professor, Distance Education

Athabasca University; Town of Athabasca; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Athabasca University invites applications for an Assistant Professor, Distance Education (tenure-track) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The successful candidate will teach in the Master of Education Open, Digital and Distance Education and Doctor of Education Distance Education programs, with emphasis on ODDE pedagogy and inclusive practices.

All teaching is online; the candidate will develop new courses, supervise graduates, and participate in program coordination and service

Qualifications

• Teach online in Master of Education Open, Digital and Distance Education and Doctor of Education in Distance Education programs.
• Experience teaching online in graduate programs is required.
• Evidence of research excellence in ODDE with funded projects is expected.

Responsibilities

• Teach online in graduate programs across ODDE, including course development and revision.
• Supervise graduate students and coordinate program courses.
• Participate in administrative committees and service to the university community.

Skills

Online teaching

Graduate supervision

Curriculum design

Educational technology

Education

EdD or PhD in Education/Educational Technology/Instructional Technology

Tools

Learning Management System (LMS)

Open Educational Resources

Online course platforms

Job description

Guided by Like No Other, Athabasca University’s (AU) strategic plan, AU’s approach to accessible yet transformative education and research is truly distinctive. Our academic mission is to remove barriers to post-secondary education for learners, regardless of their age, location, career, or educational background.

Based in the beautiful region of Athabasca, Alberta, AU is one of four Comprehensive Academic and Research Universities (CARUs) in the province. We are a public, board-governed, open, and online university serving more than 37,000 students across Alberta, Canada, and around the world.

AU seeks to be an agile and inclusive workplace in which all team members can grow, make their highest contribution, and each make a difference to our academic vision and mission.

Led by President Dr. Alex Clark, AU is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Drawing from five decades of growth in distance and online education, we aim to grow our position as Canada’s foremost innovator in flexible, online and accessible learning. With an inclusive Senior Leadership Team dedicated to empowering every team member to contribute, learn and thrive, AU stands poised for an exciting and ambitious next stage of development.

Athabasca University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is recruiting for an Assistant Professor, Distance Education (tenure-track).

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest Faculty in Athabasca University and offers a wide range of online courses and programs in the areas of education, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, and social sciences.

In the words of the Dean of the Faculty, "We offer a diverse range of courses and programs in education, distance education, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, and social sciences. Our undergraduate and graduate offerings are designed to equip you with critical thinking skills, information literacy, theoretical knowledge, and other essential competencies to navigate our rapidly changing world and deepen your understanding of both current and historical issues."

We are committed to fostering an environment of respect, inclusiveness, collegiality, openness, and cultural awareness, and furthering access, belonging, and accountability within the Faculty and beyond. Our Faculty includes accomplished scholars and instructors with expertise in innovative research and teaching, supported by a dedicated team of staff.

We take great pride in being a student-centered Faculty, focused on ensuring that your academic journey is rich, meaningful, and memorable.

The Position

We are hiring for a position in the Master of Education - Open, Digital and Distance Education, and the Doctor of Education - Distance Education programs. A completed Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education, Educational Technology, or Instructional Technology with focus on Open, Digital and Distance Education (ODDE).

We welcome applications from scholars whose research, teaching, and community engagement contribute to inclusive and culturally responsive approaches to Open, Digital and Distance Education across diverse contexts. We seek candidates whose work examines ODDE pedagogy, educational experiences, practices, and outcomes across diverse populations and communities, including Indigenous and other culturally, geographically, or socially diverse groups.

The successful candidate will have an active research program in rural, remote, and community-based education, as well as in educational access, participation, and learner success among Indigenous, diverse, underserved, and geographically dispersed populations.

The successful candidate will also have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• pedagogies of Open, Digital and Distance Education; ODDE research methodologies and practices; instructional design and learning experience design;
• ethical, equitable, and pedagogically-sound integration of generative AI and future technologies in teaching, learning, curriculum, assessment, and educational systems.

Qualifications

The successful candidate is expected to teach in the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education and Doctor of Education in Distance Education programs. All teaching is fully online. Experience with online systems of course offerings and Open, Digital and Distance Education are required. Experience teaching online in graduate programs is required. Experience supervising graduate students is preferred. The candidate will be expected to develop new courses as determined by the needs of the program and their research interests. The candidate will also coordinate and revise existing courses in the program. Evidence of research excellence in ODDE at the graduate level, i.e., a robust research portfolio and a successful record of securing tri-agency or similar funds, is required. All faculty members are expected to participate in administrative committees, including those pertaining to centre, faculty, or university-wide endeavors. Additionally, members are expected to participate in service to the greater external community.

The full job profile can be viewed at:AU Academic Role Description