Feng Sheng Hu, the Lucille P. Markey Distinguished Professor and Dean of Arts & Sciences, is pleased to announce the search for the Associate Vice Dean of Research in the Humanities, Humanistic Social Sciences, and Creative Practice in Arts & Sciences. This Associate Vice Dean of Research will hold an important role in in executing the school’s vision to achieve academic distinction. The Associate Vice Dean of Research will be responsible for managing a variety of matters related to advancing the research enterprise, especially initiatives related to facilitating the ability of faculty in the humanities, humanistic social sciences, and creative practice disciplines to compete for external awards, prestigious fellowships, and grants. The Associate Vice Dean will monitor trends within these areas and provide regular reports to A&S leadership in order to assess progress. The position will report to the Vice Dean of Research, collaborate frequently with the Director of the Center for the Humanities, the Co-Directors of the Center for the Literary Arts, and the Director of the Weidenbaum Center, as well as chairs and directors of relevant academic units, and work closely with a range of professional staff supporting grant administration functions.

Essential Functions:

• Identify and develop policies, practices, support structures, and incentives to advance the A&S research enterprise in the humanities, humanistic social sciences, and creative practice disciplines, and enhance the scholarly and artistic production of faculty.
• Identify opportunities for external awards, prestigious fellowships, and grants for faculty and provide guidance and support for them to submit applications.
• Provide strategic partnership to A&S leadership, faculty, and staff to strengthen transdisciplinary innovation and research collaboration
• Track and monitor current activities and practices in order to identify areas of strengths and weakness, and develop a better understanding of the landscape of humanities research and creative practice at the university. Track and assess the competitiveness of our activities relative to our peers. Make recommendations to A&S leadership on any changes or additional support that may be needed and help with implementation.

Key characteristics and qualifications of the ideal candidate include:

• A significant record of success in research, scholarship or creative endeavor in an Arts & Sciences humanities, humanistic social sciences, or creative practice discipline
• Experience serving in leadership roles and working in an interdisciplinary setting
• Ability to think strategically
• The ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, inspire and motivate others, successfully lead others through change, and act as a consensus builder
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Experience working with foundation, federal and/or state level funding agencies
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

This administrative appointment will require a 25-50% commitment of effort, with a corresponding release from departmental obligations for the duration of the assignment. It is open to all tenured, full professors in Arts & Sciences. Nominations may be sent to any member of the Dean’s Office. Interested candidates should send a CV and letter of interest to Sarah Lu England by June 23rd, 2023.