Assistant Professor in Human Geography (Education) - School of Geography, Earth and Environment[...]

Position Details

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,485 to £55,295 with potential progression once in post to £62,098

Grade: 8

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2025

Closing date: 28th November 2024

Role Summary

The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) at the University of Birmingham wishes to appoint an Assistant Professor in Human Geography (Education-focused) for a 1-year fixed term post (maternity cover). GEES brings together expertise from across the physical, environmental, and social sciences. Our interdisciplinary areas of activity include: Sustainable Environments and Societies, Environment and Health, Dynamic Earth and Ecosystems, and Extreme Climates and Hazards.

We are seeking a motivated and ambitious individual to contribute to the ongoing development of our Human Geography education activities, with a particular focus on urban and environmental geographies and related areas. The successful candidate will be expected to teach and assess a range of urban-environment-focused modules. They will also contribute to introductory Human Geography modules, research training modules for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervise undergraduate dissertations, and conduct tutorials for undergraduate students. Additionally, they will be expected to contribute to the School’s program of overseas student field courses.

While this is an education-focused appointment, we place a strong emphasis on providing research-intensive teaching, and there is scope for doing academic research. Successful candidates will be provided with career development support appropriate to their career stage, including access to mentoring and coaching support.

We are looking for passionate individuals committed to equity and diversity. The successful candidate will actively engage and support members of under-represented groups, showcasing the importance of diverse viewpoints through research, teaching, and public engagement to enrich the learning experience. They will incorporate diverse experiences into teaching methods and research tools, and innovate by developing teaching techniques that cater to various learning styles and intellectual interests.

If you are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and dynamic educational environment in interdisciplinary school, we encourage you to apply!

Main Duties

Education

You will contribute across the range of teaching and learning activities:

• contribute to curriculum development;
• develop and manage approaches to teaching and learning that are best practice in the subject area or institution;
• advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment;
• advance the practice of teaching in their modules and within the school, and play an important role in student academic support;
• inform your teaching practice by discipline based research;
• frequently update your subject expertise, and undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes.

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, and distant learning students, including (as appropriate):

• teaching and assessing modules at a range of levels;
• planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
• providing personal academic tutoring;
• designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
• working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;
• using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
• where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
• developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
• devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work.

Management/Administration

To contribute to School administration. This may include:

• contributing to the administration/management of teaching across the School;
• advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
• making a contribution to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
• developing and making contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach;
• promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Citizenship

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• pursuing your activities in a way that helps others to pursue their activities effectively and efficiently;
• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, School committees);
• demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice;
• willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School projects);
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
• proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher Degree relevant to the discipline area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications.
• Teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning.
• Skills in managing, motivating & mentoring others.

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes.
• Experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching and advising colleagues.
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability.

Management Administration

• Ability to contribute to School management processes.
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Informal enquiries to Nicholas Kettridge, email: n.kettridge@bham.ac.uk or Irina Kuznetsova, email: i.kuznetsova@bham.ac.uk.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.

You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.