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CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR (TIER II) – Teaching and Learning in Higher Education –
Competition Number 14-74
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) invites applications for a 5 year term (renewable for a further 5 year term)
as a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier II in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
Areas of expertise appropriate for this CRC include (but are not limited to) teaching and learning in higher
education, outcomes-based approaches to teaching and learning, assessment practices, cognitive psychology, and the
use of technology in higher education.
The objective of the CRC program (www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca) is to promote leading research and prepare highly
qualified university teaching personnel. This appointment is provisional and contingent on the successful
preparation and submission of the CRC application by the selected candidate prior to appointment, and subsequent
award of CRC funding. If approved by the CRC, the successful candidate will be offered a full time, continuing
faculty appointment at KPU.
It is anticipated that the selection process will begin in June 2014, and KPU’s Office of Research and Scholarship
will then work with the selected candidate to prepare the application for submission to the CRC in October 2014.
The CRC decision will be confirmed in April 2015, and so a starting date is anticipated for July, 2015.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, originally established by the government of British Columbia in 1981 as a
College, was designated a university in 2009. The University, with 16,000 FTES, has four campuses located in
Metro Vancouver British Columbia and provides a unique regional university environment bridging urban, suburban
and rural communities. The University offers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and
citations in over 135 programs.
The creation of this new position of CRC in Teaching and Learning Higher Education reflects KPU’s commitment
to enhancing teaching and learning experiences in higher education by promoting scholarly approaches and
encouraging reflective practice to evaluate the learning impact of various teaching methodologies.
The successful candidate will have an established track record and passion for teaching with a substantive body of
research, and demonstrated evidence of leadership in the advancement of teaching and learning. The position will
include 25% of time allocated for teaching in the Chair’s discipline, and a 75% release time for research conducted
under the auspices of the Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning and KPU’s Institute for Innovation in Teaching
and Learning (INSTL).
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The Chair will work closely with the Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning to:
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engage faculty across disciplines in scholarly approaches to the enhancement of teaching and learning and
engage in discipline specific SoTL activities,
develop a program of activities that will allow her/his expertise to be widely available to the university
community, and
promote the scholarship of teaching and learning across the KPU community and beyond.
The Tier II nominee should:
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be an excellent emerging researcher with demonstrated particular research creativity;
have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their field in the next five to ten
years;
be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality;
as a chair holder, have the potential to attract excellent trainees, students and future researchers.
Applicants must have earned a PhD. in an appropriate field within the last 10 years, have a solid record of applied
research, publication and outreach, demonstrated ability to generate research funding to support their research
program, demonstrated success in collaborative research project work, and be prepared to lead and/or contribute to
KPU scholarly activities related to the enhancement of teaching and learning.
The Chair will have an established record of scholarly/creative achievement within the broad area of innovative
learning/knowing, an ability to articulate and realize an exceptional, long-term research agenda, and a demonstrated
commitment to interdisciplinary, trans-disciplinary and collaborative research.
S/he will have established relationships in both the academic and non-academic communities and a portfolio
demonstrating innovative learning and breakthrough thinking.
S/he will have demonstrated success with regards to obtaining research and other funding from diverse sources,
leading large collaborative research initiatives, establishing and maintaining business, industry and/or community
relationships, supervising student research, publishing in leading peer-reviewed publications, and disseminating via
presentations or otherwise to diverse audiences.
The Chair will develop an exemplary scholarly and creative presence, complement and enrich research and
scholarship among faculty by engaging with faculty in their own scholarly projects and participate in local and
international research networks.
Tier II Chairs, tenable for five years and renewable once, are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged
by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field.
The Chair will be expected to provide a detailed research plan outlining key research areas and questions, research
partnerships and collaborations, and potential funding sources. Key foci of the position of CRC in Higher Education
will be to:
 engage in leading-edge scholarship and research creation and play a vital leadership role at KPU in
stimulating research on teaching and learning including interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary research
 undertake relevant (nationally and internationally as appropriate), high quality applied research in the area of
innovative learning and assessment practices
 develop/expand networks, partnerships and collaborations within the public, private and/or non-profit sectors
to support the research agenda, including building linkages with faculty at KPU and other academic
institutions;
 Pursue and obtain research funding from diverse sources, including federal, provincial, public and private, to
finance the research agenda;
 work with KPU faculties to raise the profile of the Chair, the Faculties, and the university;
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 Pursue an active dissemination strategy that targets diverse audiences and stakeholders, i.e. academics,
practitioners, and policymakers, at the local, provincial, national and international levels;
Required Qualifications & Competencies
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Doctorate degree in a relevant discipline is essential;
demonstrated excellence in developing, resourcing and conducting research projects in relevant fields;
broad understanding of the field of innovative learning;
a demonstrated understanding of the trends, challenges and opportunities facing higher education
today;
strong track record in knowledge transfer, including conventional academic publications, as well as
professional and public education and extension activities;
demonstrated excellence in building networks of both internal and external interests and stakeholders,
including organizations in the public sector, non-governmental organizations and the private sector;
demonstrated teaching excellence in both face-to-face and distance learning environments, preferably
with experience teaching international students;
a passion for experiential learning, interactive methodologies, and high student engagement online and
in the classroom;
teaching and supervisory experience at the graduate level;
ability to liaise effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, both internally and externally, and
maintain a professional approach to working relationships and conflict resolution;
excellent decision-making skills and problem-solving abilities;
exceptional communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills;
comfortable working in a team-based, collaborative environment;
experience in developing and managing research proposal and projects.
The position will remain open until filled, however, applications received by June 15, 2014 will be given priority.
Applications must consist of:
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a cover letter,
a current curriculum vitae,
four letters of reference,
a copy of 3 recent publications (please explain the significance of the selections),
a statement of research achievements (as it relates to a Tier II level of achievement),
a detailed research proposal (3-4 pages) appropriate to the goals and objectives of the CRC program at the
Tier II level,
 a statement regarding how the proposed research program connects with KPU’s mission, vision, strategic
directions and goals, and
 a statement of teaching philosophy/interests, and evidence of teaching effectiveness.
To apply please forward your application, quoting competition number 14-74 to: employ@kpu.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest in KPU. Only those applicants selected for further consideration will be
contacted. KPU values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply; however, Canadian citizens and
permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
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