Canada Research Chair, Tier 2 in First Nations Lands Planning

Overview
Vancouver Island University (VIU), located on the west coast of Canada, is one of Canada’s most inclusive universities. We place students and communities at the centre of our work, recognizing that education is a key determinant of social progress and economic prosperity. Our unique student experience includes small class sizes; dedicated, award-winning faculty; and exceptional undergraduate research opportunities that are often realized in collaboration with our many community partners. We also offer a wide variety of educational options and starting points, including upgrading, trades, and undergraduate and graduate programs, to support the varied educational needs of both our domestic and international students. This personalized approach prepares VIU students for success in the workforce and gives them the skills to act as responsible global citizens. At the foundation of this work is our focus on ensuring as many people as possible can access post-secondary education.

Vancouver Island University invites applications for a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in First Nations Lands Planning. Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs are exceptional, emerging researchers acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to demonstrate world-class leadership.

The successful candidate will be an emerging world-class researcher with demonstrated interest and expertise in (1) issues relating to Indigenous Lands Planning as well (2) trends in legal decisions relating to Rights and Title. The Chair will also hold or develop expertise in the implementation of UNDRIP at both federal and provincial levels in Canada. The Chair will be a member or eligible for membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners and would qualify as a Registered Professional Planner. The Chair is expected to achieve a level of international recognition in the short term, attract excellent graduate students to the MCP Program, collaborate with faculty on campus and other researchers off campus on joint research initiatives, and provide funding to MCP students through the sponsorship of major projects and theses.

Research Areas

• Understanding of pre-colonization land use patterns, particularly on the west coast
• Ongoing impacts of the reserve system on Right and Title
• Reinterpretation of the Douglas Treaties through a planning lens
• Research and the development of engagement techniques that develop from Indigenous protocols and practices
• Impacts of the Modern Treaty Process and the Treaty negotiation process on First Nations’ community planning, lands planning, and development
• Links between the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings and community/lands planning
• Links between the implementation of UNDRIP both through federal and BC provincial legislation with a focus on issues relating to peoples and lands
• Detailed analysis/understanding of emerging issues (for example, Lands Back) relating to recent court decisions and shifts to self-government for Nations.

The CRC will have 75% of their position dedicated to research and 25% towards teaching (equivalent to 2 courses annually). The teaching responsibilities will be determined based on the disciplinary and teaching background of the candidate. The CRC will become a faculty member in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Canada Research Chairs are tenable for 5 years and renewable once, after which time, the CRC will become a full time faculty member. The CRC will be provided with an operating grant for their research program and may apply for Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding.

Responsibilities:
VIU’s academic requirements include course delivery, research supervision and institutional service. Duties, responsibilities and expectations of the position will include, but not be limited to:

• Demonstrated commitment to knowledge translation aligned with priorities determined by Indigenous community partner(s);
• Demonstrated leadership skills, collaborative research, research network development, community consultation and involvement in the areas of First Nations Land Planning;
• Demonstrated research excellence with a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications and external research funding;
• Demonstrated research ability with a potential for developing new areas of collaborative research;
• In addition to the research program, the Chair will participate in the academic programs including the teaching of undergraduate or graduate courses and other educational and scholarly activity;
• Provide leadership for research and scholarly activity;
• Track record of attracting and mentoring research trainees at all levels and with a particular emphasis on undergraduate students.

Required Qualifications:
The Canada Research Chairs program expects Tier 2 nominees to be within 10 years of having received a Ph.D. (or the highest degree in their discipline); be excellent emerging researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity; have demonstrated the potential to achieve international recognition in their fields in the next five to ten years; be proposing an original, innovative research program of high quality; and, as a chairholder, have the potential to attract excellent students and future researchers as well as research funding.

Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, clinical training), may have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through CRC's Tier 2 Justification Process. Please contact [email protected] for more information. VIU recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves can have on a candidate's record of research achievement and will take leaves into careful consideration during the assessment process.

Please Submit:

• Curriculum Vitae.
• Cover letter with a statement of the applicant's research highlights, an educational philosophy relating to the position, and the applicant's expected contribution to the University, Faculty and Department.
• A two-page concept paper describing an innovative research plan. The concept paper must include: Project summary (250 words), Context, Methodology, Engagement with research users and communication of results, and HQP training plan. Please include literature cited (not included in 2 page limit).
• Name and contact information for three people willing to provide a reference.
• Self-Identification form directly to Carole Gray, HR Specialist, Recruitment and EDI at [email protected]. The questions in this form are consistent with those used by the Canada Research Chairs Program and use wording found in the federal Employment Equity Act.

View the full position profile and submit your application and self-identification form online. This posting is open until filled. The review of applications will begin on January 15th, 2025.

Appointment subject to approval through the Canada Research Chair Secretariat, start date April or October 2026. For the complete nomination process and CRC eligibility requirements, applicants should review the CRC Website 

Equity & Access
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

Vancouver Island University is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. We want to ensure that all participants can engage fully in interviews and other activities that are part of the process. If you have any accommodation requests, please email [email protected]. All requests for accommodation will be treated confidentially.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.