Assistant Professor of Trans Studies
Position Overview
The Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Kansas seeks an Assistant Professor of trans studies for Fall 2025. This position is a full-time, tenure-track, academic-year (9-month) appointment. The successful candidate must have research and teaching expertise in trans studies. Applications from all trans studies scholars are invited, however we have identified the following areas that would complement the work of our current faculty: critical race theory, disability studies, and decolonial 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.
This permanent hire is made possible in part by a recently awarded three-year $1million Mellon grant designed to bolster our growing strength in trans studies. This same grant also allows for several non-residential fellows to be in meaningful dialogue and community at the University of Kansas in the next few years culminating in annual symposiums. Our department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have demonstrated a serious commitment to trans studies and trans scholars, boasting several faculty within the department and across the University, as well as dedicated courses, faculty seminars, and active grant participation. We are committed to building trans studies and are thrilled to be able to expand curricular offerings, graduate student support, community engagement, and public programming
We are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive educational environment for all students, faculty, and staff. KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
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.
This permanent hire is made possible in part by a recently awarded three-year $1million Mellon grant designed to bolster our growing strength in trans studies. This same grant also allows for several non-residential fellows to be in meaningful dialogue and community at the University of Kansas in the next few years culminating in annual symposiums. Our department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have demonstrated a serious commitment to trans studies and trans scholars, boasting several faculty within the department and across the University, as well as dedicated courses, faculty seminars, and active grant participation. We are committed to building trans studies and are thrilled to be able to expand curricular offerings, graduate student support, community engagement, and public programming
We are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive educational environment for all students, faculty, and staff. KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Job Description
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 candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
Job Description:
40% - Teaching
This position carries a 2-2 teaching load. Faculty members are expected to teach two “service” courses per year that each fulfill a requirement for either the undergraduate or graduate programs. The remaining two courses are of the faculty member’s choosing but should relate to trans studies. Course formats can include in-person, an 8-week online version, or a 4-week online version.
40% - Research
Tenure-track faculty members are expected to conduct research in their specialization leading to publication in appropriate outlets, grant applications, and engagement with the larger field and public through conferences and lectures.
20% - Service
Tenure-track faculty members are expected to participate in appropriate professional activities, such as attending faculty meetings, carrying out departmental committee assignments, attending national and international meetings or conferences, serving the College and KU as appropriate, and serving the profession as a reviewer for grant proposals and manuscripts, or as an officer of a professional society.
Faculty code
All faculty members are expected to comply fully with the Faculty Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, currently viewable at http://policy.ku.edu/FacultyCodeKULawrence/faculty-code-of-rights.
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
Job Description:
40% - Teaching
This position carries a 2-2 teaching load. Faculty members are expected to teach two “service” courses per year that each fulfill a requirement for either the undergraduate or graduate programs. The remaining two courses are of the faculty member’s choosing but should relate to trans studies. Course formats can include in-person, an 8-week online version, or a 4-week online version.
40% - Research
Tenure-track faculty members are expected to conduct research in their specialization leading to publication in appropriate outlets, grant applications, and engagement with the larger field and public through conferences and lectures.
20% - Service
Tenure-track faculty members are expected to participate in appropriate professional activities, such as attending faculty meetings, carrying out departmental committee assignments, attending national and international meetings or conferences, serving the College and KU as appropriate, and serving the profession as a reviewer for grant proposals and manuscripts, or as an officer of a professional society.
Faculty code
All faculty members are expected to comply fully with the Faculty Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, currently viewable at http://policy.ku.edu/FacultyCodeKULawrence/faculty-code-of-rights.
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 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.
Additional Candidate Instructions
Applicants should submit: (a) a letter of interest detailing graduate training in WGSS, research trajectory, and teaching experience (b) full curriculum vitae, (c) research statement, and (d) contact information for three academic references. Completed applications must be received no later than October 7, 2024. A writing sample and letters of reference will be requested of short-listed applicants. Questions may be sent to the search committee chair, Associate Professor and Department Chair Katie Batza at batza@ku.edu.
Contact Information to Applicants
Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Tuesday October 8, 2024
Anticipated Start Date
Monday August 18, 2025