The Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Kansas seeks an Assistant Professor of Trans and/or Queer Cultural Studies for Fall 2022. This position is a full-time, tenure-track, academic-year (9-month) appointment. The successful candidate must have research and teaching expertise in trans and/or queer cultural studies and/or theory.  Applications from all trans/queer cultural studies scholars are invited with a particular interest in areas of queer of color critique, transnational, global South, or post-colonial analysis. A Ph.D. in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, or equivalent is highly preferred. A Ph.D. in a related field plus graduate work in WGSS or similar will also be considered.

The Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Kansas, born out of student protests in 1972, is among the oldest in the country. It remains a center for thought and action on critical issues of gender and sexuality on campus with five undergraduate programs (two majors, two minors, and a certificate), a Master’s program, a graduate certificate, and is one of only twenty-six departments globally to offer a Ph.D. in WGSS. The department’s core faculty has more than doubled in number in the last decade. An interdisciplinary group of scholars, WGSS core faculty span the humanities and social sciences and focus on both the past and the contemporary world. 

The University of Kansas actively encourages application from members of under-represented groups. The University of Kansas values candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically marginalized peoples. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The successful candidate will have experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

The University of Kansas is located in the beautiful, historic, and culturally vibrant city of Lawrence, a thriving community 40 minutes from the Kansas City metropolitan area and 30 minutes from the state capital, Topeka. Lawrence, a progressive college town of 95,000, boasts a lively downtown with many music venues, award-winning restaurants, and a nationally celebrated independent bookstore among its many independently owned small businesses. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest school within the campus and plays a central role within the University. Founded in 1865, KU is a designated Carnegie comprehensive doctoral and research university and is one of only 34 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 28,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs, which include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science and humanities disciplines. 

The successful applicant must have appropriate authorization to work in the U.S. before employment begins.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in WGSS (or equivalent) OR a Ph.D. in a related field plus graduate work in WGSS or similar field is expected by the start date of appointment.
• Academic specialization in trans/queer cultural studies.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in research as evidenced by graduate coursework, dissertation research, publications, and/or externally funded research grants.
• Demonstrated ability to teach effectively at undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Application Details:

For a complete announcement and to apply online, go to https://employment.ku.edu/academic/20430BR.  Applicants should submit the following items: (a) a letter of interest detailing graduate training in WGSS, research trajectory, teaching experience, and dedication to DEI work (b) full curriculum vitae, (c) research statement, and (d) contact information for three academic references. A writing sample and letters of reference will be requested of short-listed applicants.

In addition to the above, learning about each applicant's contribution and engagement in areas of diversity and inclusion is an important part of KU's mission. As a result, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application. Each response must be within 4,000 characters or less.

Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds, and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). 

Completed applications must be received no later than November 15, 2021 to be considered. Questions may be sent to the search committee chair, Associate Professor Katie Batza at batza@ku.edu.