Assistant/Associate Professor of Native & Indigenous Studies

Native American and Indigenous Studies Association; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Washington University’s Department of Ethnic Studies invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Native and Indigenous Studies, starting Fall 2027.

We seek a community-engaged interdisciplinary scholar addressing Indigenous issues with emphasis on sovereignty, environmental justice, and cultural revitalization. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate Native and Indigenous Studies and Ethnic Studies and contribute to building the department.

Qualifications

• PhD at time of application in American Indian, Native American, Indigenous Studies, Ethnic Studies or related field.
• Ability to teach introductory and advanced theory & methods courses (undergraduate).
• Demonstrated research record leading to peer-reviewed publications or dissemination.
• Ability to work with diverse students and cultivate inclusive learning environments.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse colleagues in culturally-responsive ways.
• For Associate level, significant research and teaching record commensurate with promotion standards.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate Native and Indigenous Studies and Ethnic Studies courses.
• Contribute to building the new Ethnic Studies Department.
• Engage in scholarly activity and community-engaged research with ethical practices.
• Provide equitable and inclusive mentoring and supervision.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Community-engaged scholarship

Inclusive teaching

Curriculum development

Education

PhD in Native/Indigenous Studies or Ethnic Studies

Job description

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.