Canada Research Chair, Tier 2 in Indigenous Education (Language Revitalization and Pedagogy)

The School of Education at Trent University invites applications from qualified candidates for a SSHRC Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Indigenous Education—Language Revitalization and Pedagogy. Trent University is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and Indigenization within our community and developing an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of the broader populations that we serve.

This CRC in Indigenous Education—Language Revitalization and Pedagogy will support Trent’s School of Education by pursuing a program of Indigenous scholarship that advances the school’s commitments to decolonization and Indigenization, grounded in a mission that emphasizes social and ecological justice, inclusivity, and sustainability in education. Innovative action-oriented strategies rooted in community engagement and empowerment related to the revitalization of Indigenous language should be central to their research. Owing to Trent’s location in the treaty and traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg, the School especially welcomes a focus on Anishnaabemowin and Anishnaabeg culture; however, research interests in other Indigenous languages and cultures are also appropriate.

The CRC will have expertise and an existing research program that includes alignment with the mandate of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. They will conduct research that relates to Indigenous language revitalization through applied education research to build effective curriculum, pedagogy and teacher education programming. The Tier 2 CRC will also establish relationships within the university that will facilitate interdisciplinary scholarship. Their focus on Indigenous language and pedagogy will align with Trent’s Strategic Research Plan 2023-2028 (sustainable and healthy communities and environments) and reinforce the university’s reputation as a leader in Indigenous education research.

Trent School of Education faculty are actively engaged in research programs that focus on social and ecological justice, inclusivity, and sustainability in education. Additional scholarly foci in the School include investigations of curricular best-practice, and theorizing educational foundations (history, philosophy, sociology of education, etc.). There are significant interests in community-based and arts-informed research methodologies amongst the School’s faculty. The Tier 2 CRC in Indigenous Education—Language Revitalization and Pedagogy will be cross-appointed between the School of Education and the Chanie Wenjack School of Indigenous Studies. The Tier 2 CRC will have teaching and service responsibilities attached to the School of Education, with the cross-appointment fostering collaborative pedagogy and research with faculty and students associated with the Chanie Wenjack School of Indigenous studies. 

The School of Education is committed to creating new knowledge, integrating that knowledge in teaching, promoting ongoing professional learning and educational research, and providing leadership in fostering a community of learners, in concert with the University’s academic plan.  School of Education programs include the undergraduate Teacher Education Stream, concurrent Bachelor of Education—Indigenous, a consecutive Bachelor of Education (second-entry undergraduate), a graduate diploma, and a Master of Education. Additionally, many of our faculty are appointed to, and supervise students in Trent’s Interdisciplinary Social Research PhD program.

In their role as a Tier 2 CRC, the candidate will promote a dynamic and sustainable research ecosystem using collaborative, community-engaged research methods that complement the research of other CRCs at Trent (e.g., Community-Partnered Social Justice and Study of the Canadian North). Their focus on language revitalization, cultural resurgence, and pedagogy will incorporate Indigenous research methodologies and ethics, including ceremonial protocols, relational accountability, and oral history. The successful candidate will have exciting opportunities to collaborate internally with researchers in the Chanie Wenjack School of Indigenous Studies, the Indigenous Environmental Sciences/Studies program,  the Frost Centre for Canadian Studies & Indigenous Studies, and Boohweh Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages. External partners could include Williams Treaty Michi Saagiig and six provincial school boards that partner with the School of Education. The School of Education and Trent have strong community partnerships that will facilitate collaborative research and mobilization of findings. The addition of the CRC will increase Trent’s capacity to address concerns of the Indigenous communities related to revitalization of language and culture.

Candidate Qualifications
As a Tier 2 CRC, the candidate must be an emerging scholar who self-identifies as Indigenous. Preference will be given to those with teaching experience in Indigenous education (K-12 teaching or other community-based experience). As an up-and-coming world-class researcher, they will have demonstrated influential research and strength in securing major funding. They will facilitate the training of highly qualified personnel and attract excellent students and future researchers to Trent. Applicants who are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (where career breaks exist, such as maternity, parental, or extended sick leave, etc.) will have their eligibility for a Tier 2 Chair assessed through the program’s Tier 2 justification process. More information on eligibility can be found on the Canada Research Chairs’ website.

Applicants should electronically submit:

• A cover letter;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Three of the applicant’s most influential publications (or other research contributions);
• Evidence of policy change, pedagogical scholarship, and/or research mobilization impacting Indigenous language revitalization and pedagogy;
• A comprehensive Canada Research Chair vision statement and research plan of no longer than 5 pages, including a description on how they intend to develop externally funded strategic research projects;
• A statement no longer than 3 pages emphasizing their research mentorship experience, teaching philosophy, and their experiences in and approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, and engagement with Indigenous communities;
• 2-3 letters of reference, including those from Indigenous communities with which the applicant has engaged in research or educational activities (These may also contribute to substantiation of Indigenous self-identification as required below). References may be contacted later in the process with the candidate’s permission;
• A Trent University Self-Identification Form;
• Written documentation or self-declaration materials which provide substantiation of Indigenous identity in adherence with the Trent University Policy on Substantiation of Indigenous Identity for TUFA Faculty.

Applications should be compiled into a single PDF and emailed to Dr. Holger Hintelmann, Interim VP Research and Innovation. The closing date for applications is March 29, 2026. The anticipated start date of the position is July 1, 2027. For more information about Trent University applicants are invited to visit the Trent University Webpage or contact Dr. Hintelmann.

About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day.

Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenization
We respectfully acknowledge that we are on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

Recognized as one of Canada’s outstanding universities, Trent has an extensive riverfront campus, including several nature areas; less than two hours from Toronto, Ontario, it attracts a diverse student body.

Trent University is actively committed to creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive campus community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. The University especially welcomes applications from members of the designated employment equity groups (women and gender minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and racialized individuals) . Amongst equally qualified candidates, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Recruitment will be guided by the Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Practices, the Trent University Canada Research Chair Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan and by the University’s commitment to employment equity and diversity. Training and development activities related to unconscious bias, equity, diversity and inclusion for administrators and faculty involved in the recruitment and nomination processes for chair positions is mandatory.

All Candidates are required to complete and submit a self-identification form alongside their application. By identifying, CRC applicants allow Trent University, and the Canada Research Chair Program, to measure the levels of diversity and collect data for all groups to ensure any systemic barriers within our policies and processes can be identified. The collected forms, and their associated data, will be kept confidential, and only accessed on a need-to-know basis by members of the selection committee and, for nominees selected, by the Canada Research Chair Program Office.

Trent University recognizes the impacts that interruptions (e.g., parental leave, extended leave due to illness, etc.) can have on a person’s career and research achievements, and these leaves will be carefully considered when reviewing the candidate’s record. Candidates are encouraged to explain in their application how career interruptions may have impacted them.

Trent University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process or require an accessible version of a document/publication, please contact Dr. Holger Hintelmann, Interim VP Research and Innovation.