The Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, invites applications for a
probationary tenure-track, tenure-track or tenured appointment at the rank of
Assistant, Associate, or full Professor in the areas of African Nova Scotians and the
Law and Critical Race Theory. The successful candidate will teach in these and
related subject areas in the Law School and will also contribute to teaching in the
new Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Black and African Diaspora Studies
Program (BAFD). This hire is aimed at recruiting African Nova Scotian academics to
the Law School and the university.
As a signatory of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black
Inclusion, Dalhousie has committed to taking decisive action to recruit Black
scholars to the university and to employ best practices to support their retention
and advancement. This commitment is expressed in our Strategic Plan’s second
pillar, Inclusive Excellence. In keeping with these commitments and our institutional
drive and obligation to enrich our research, teaching, and learning environment and
community engagement, Dalhousie University invites applications for this position.
This opportunity is part of a cluster hiring initiative supported by the Dalhousie
Diversity Faculty Award (DDFA) program. In keeping with the principles of
employment equity, the DDFA program aims to correct historic
underrepresentation. This initiative will support inclusive excellence by appointing
five Black scholars to the university across multiple disciplines. Cluster hires
promote interdisciplinary collaboration, while creating communities of support for
scholars from underrepresented groups. These new scholars will find opportunities
for scholarly contributions, collaboration, and support as Fellows of the newly
established Black Studies Research Institute and will contribute to our emerging
transdisciplinary program in Black and African Diaspora Studies (BAFD).
This position is designated to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotian.
All such qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and
permanent residents will be given priority. Dalhousie recognizes that candidates
may self-identify in more than one equity-deserving group, and in this spirit, we
encourage applications from candidates who (in addition to being African Nova
Scotian) also identify as Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), members of other
racialized groups, women, persons with a disability, and/or members of 2SLGBTQ+
communities. See https://www.dal.ca/dept/hr/employment_equity/definitions-
equity-deserving-groups.html for definitions of equity-deserving groups.
Applicants should have an outstanding academic record, a record of scholarly
engagement, and demonstrated (or potential) teaching and research excellence. At
the time of appointment, the successful candidate will hold an LL.B. or J.D. degree.
They will also have a relevant Master’s degree or have or be working towards a
doctorate.
Applications received before January 31, 2023 will be given fullest consideration.
About the Schulich School of Law
The Schulich School of Law plays an extraordinary role in the fabric of Canadian
legal education. We are a national law school, with our students coming from and
returning to every region. We graduate leaders. Our alumni hold every form of
government office, teach in Canadian law schools, innovate in the provision of
private and public sector legal services and in business, advance policy in the
executive branch of government, render decisions on courts across the country, and
offer service to non-governmental bodies and non-profit and community
organizations. We have always been known for and proud of our commitment to
unselfish public service, in the Weldon tradition.
We embrace the interdisciplinary opportunity of working in a university, we value
the creation and dissemination of new knowledge, and we are firmly committed to
students and to teaching and learning excellence. We are conscious of the
difference we make to law reform, adjudication, legal service, and community
engagement at home and around the world. We value the contributions of the
founding communities in this province, the Mi’kmaq Nation, Acadians, African Nova
Scotians, and British, and we open our doors to the world.
For more information, see the Schulich School of Law Strategic Plan
at https://www.dal.ca/faculty/law.html.
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is located in Nova Scotia, Canada (Mi’kma’ki) with four
campuses in Halifax and Truro, and satellite locations in Yarmouth and Saint John,
New Brunswick. As Atlantic Canada’s primary research-intensive university and a
member of the U15 Group of Canadian Universities, our 13 academic Faculties
expand understanding through teaching excellence and a drive for discovery that
results in more than $214 million in research funding each year.
Dalhousie is Canada’s national university, with a greater proportion of out of
province students than any other. Correspondingly, a diverse population of Black
students call Dalhousie home, including those from African Nova Scotian,
Black/African Canadian, and international communities. The United Nations
recognized African Canadians as a distinct group and Dalhousie acknowledges
African Nova Scotians as a distinct people who have shaped the province and the
university for centuries. Dalhousie has a strong history of introducing ground-
breaking initiatives that have created many opportunities for Black students
including the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative at the Schulich School of
Law and Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians program. The
university has also developed strong ties to several organizations serving that
community, for example to the African Canadian Services Branch of the
Department of Education – the only such branch in Canada serving Black students
in K-12, to the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute, and to the Afrocentric Math
cohort at Auburn High school.
In 1970, Dalhousie established the Transition year Program (TYP), which provides
opportunities for individuals who may face barriers to post-secondary education to
prepare for all aspects of academic life and gain access to the university. Nearly
two decades ago, Imhotep’s Legacy Academy was established, an innovative
university-community partnership designed to create pathways into STEM for
students of African descent.
Dalhousie established the James R. Johnston (JRJ) Chair in Black Canadian
Studies in 1991 which was at the time, the only endowed Black Studies Chair at a
Canadian university. The current Chair, Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, recently established
the Black Studies Research Institute (BSRI), a pan-university institute centering
transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in Black studies. The BSRI will
intersect closely with the university’s minor in Black and African Diaspora Studies,
developed by former JRJ Chair Dr. Afua Cooper, and the university is now working
on a proposal for a full degree program, the development of which is being
championed by members of Dalhousie’s Black Faculty and Staff Caucus and
supported by senior leaders across the university.
Dalhousie was also the first in Canada to join the Universities Studying Slavery
group of institutions, out of which the Lord Dalhousie Report was published.
Recommendations led to the Sankofa scholarships, renaming of streets to reflect
the Black contribution to Canada and a concerted plan in our international strategy
to form even more meaningful educational partnerships with the Caribbean.
Dalhousie’s African Nova Scotian Strategy and Advisory Council aim to ensure
sustainable initiatives that support African Nova Scotian students, staff and faculty
members.
As a signatory of the Scarborough Charter, and in keeping with these long-standing
institutional commitments to recruiting and supporting Black faculty, staff, and
students across the university, Dalhousie is now in an excellent position to support
this cluster hiring initiative and candidates will enter a Faculty and university that
has demonstrated outstanding and unique support for Black faculty and students.
More information about Dalhousie may be found here: www.dal.ca
How to Apply
Applications should include a brief (maximum two pages) cover letter, university
transcripts, teaching and research statements (maximum five pages total), and the
names of three referees, at least one of whom must be academic referees. If a
candidate’s graduate degree is in progress, then in their cover letter they should
indicate their stage of completion. Applications should be submitted online at:
https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/11994
Dalhousie’s vaccine mandate has been suspended at this time, and employees no
longer need to provide proof of full vaccination. However, health and safety risks
will continue to be monitored, and a vaccine mandate may be reinstated if
necessary.
Dalhousie University recognizes its obligation to accommodate candidates to
ensure full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete
Accommodation Policy can be viewed online at: www.dal.ca/policies. To request
accommodation at any stage in the hiring process, please contact Elizabeth
Sanford (LawDean@dal.ca).
http://law.dal.ca