Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Public Policy in a Polarized Era, JSGS

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Public Policy in a Polarized Era, JSGS

The (JSGS) at the (USask) is recruiting for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Public Policy in a Polarized Era. The is the flagship of a national strategy to make Canada a world-leading country in research and development and is committed to addressing Research Chair equity gaps.

Canada’s policy context is highly complex, and our understanding of governance needs to be adapted to the realities of dissolving social cohesion, increasing populism, the ongoing processes of reconciliation, and growing distrust of both science and government.

The Tier 1 CRC in Public Policy in a Polarized Era will lead cutting-edge research into the governance tools necessary to advance evidence-informed policy in an era of political polarization.

This CRC is both timely and necessary. Both misinformation (false or misleading information) and disinformation (misinformation spread with a deliberate intent to deceive) are on the rise.

These dynamics feed political polarization and create a powerful negative feedback loop that makes evidence-informed policy difficult.

Polarization is a broad international social phenomenon that is limiting the potential for science-based advancement to translate into public policy.

The context for evidence-informed policy in Canada and other advanced democracies has never been more challenging or complex.

If we are to achieve the potential for scientific and technological advancement to address the world’s most challenging problems, there is a need for change.

The CRC will help advance both policy frameworks and policy training. In turn, by improving the context for evidence-informed policymaking, the CRC will :

• Improve the quality of life in Canada;
• Train graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to become policy leaders equipped to advance evidence-informed policy through innovative public engagement research and practices suitable for a polarized political environment;
• Create new graduate course offerings on policy and polarization available to students in a wide range of disciplines;
• Partner with USask researchers in areas highly affected by polarization;
• Establish international interdisciplinary networks of scholars focused on the issue of evidence-informed policy within a context of polarization; and
• Increase evidence-informed policy tools through JSGS’s strong government connections for use by policymakers.

Qualifications

We are looking for an experienced scholarly colleague with a doctoral degree in political science, public administration, economics, or a related social science discipline.

They will have a research track record in an area related to public policy and / or governance.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate excellence in research through academic recognition, impactful publications, successful partnerships, trainee achievements, and impressive external research funding.

High-quality teaching at the graduate level and engaging with the public and relevant communities are also important facets of the CRC.

Tier 1 Chairs are intended for outstanding and innovative world-class researchers whose accomplishments have had a major impact in their field and are recognized internationally as leaders in their field.

Please consult the for eligibility details or contact the University of Saskatchewan's Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives (RASI) unit for more information ().

The impact of leaves (, parental leave, extended leave due to illness, etc.) will be carefully considered when reviewing the candidate’s record of research achievement.

Therefore, candidates are encouraged to explain in their application how career interruptions may have impacted their research record.

The successful candidate will be nominated for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair. Once the chair appointment is approved by the CRC Secretariat, the candidate will be appointed as a tenured faculty member in the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the Associate Professor or Professor level.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace. The candidate must be a member of one of the four federally designated equity groups (women and gender equity-seeking groups, racialized individuals, Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities) .

Recruitment will be guided by the Canada Research Chairs and by the strong commitment of the University of Saskatchewan and JSGS to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting employees in need of accommodation in an employment context.