Chair, Department of Sociology [Internal search]
Arts, Sociology
| Posted: | March 4, 2026 |
| Deadline to Apply: | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University [www.torontomu.ca] (formerly Ryerson University) invites applications for the position of Chair. The appointment as Chair shall be for a term of five years (subject to extension in year 3), commencing July 1, 2026 with the possibility of renewal for an additional three or five-year term.
The position will fall under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA) [www.tfanet.ca]. Visit us at www.torontomu.ca/faculty-affairs to view the TFA collective agreement and a summary of TFA benefits.
In recognition of the under-representation of members of equity-deserving groups in academic leadership, applications from those who self-identify as one or more of the following groups are particularly encouraged: First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense.
The duties and responsibilities of Chairs and Directors are laid out in detail in article 26.1.E. of the Toronto Metropolitan University Faculty Association Collective Agreement. Reporting to the Dean and guided by the mission to advance the profile of the Department of Sociology, the Chair will be a visionary and inclusive leader committed to providing exemplary academic and administrative leadership in the areas of academic programs, students, supporting faculty colleagues, stewardship of human and financial resources and participating actively in the intellectual life of the Department, the Faculty, and the University through collaboration internally and externally within the community and with other academic institutions and the industry.
As a tenure stream faculty member, the successful candidate will be responsible for engaging in a combination of teaching, scholarly research or creative activity and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities.
The successful candidate will be a tenured faculty member who holds a terminal degree in the field of Sociology (or related field) and demonstrates excellence in teaching, SRC and service activities and will further present evidence of:
- an ability to be a visionary, strategic, collaborative and inclusive leader;
- strong communication, organizational and relationship and consensus building skill;
- well developed understanding of the university governance structure and the internal and external factors affecting the university sector;
- a capacity to provide effective academic and administrative leadership, including stewardship of human and financial resources;
- strong, active track record of scholarly and/or creative activities;
- proven track record of teaching excellence;
- a demonstrated ability for strategic planning, visioning, and actioning/implementation;
- a commitment to building an inclusive and supportive environment for quality student life and engagement;
- proactive support and demonstrated abilities with faculty mentoring and professional development, particularly for pre-tenure faculty and faculty from under-represented communities;
- a commitment to leading and supporting a rich diversity of curriculum;
- a commitment to leading and supporting high quality, equitable and accessible higher education;
- a commitment to upholding the values of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly, research or creative activities.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications, consisting of the following, must be received by March 18, 2026:
- a letter of application that includes:
- a vision statement, including a statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion, for the portfolio for the next 5 years (up to 3 pages);
- a curriculum vitae;
- a statement of interest addressing the candidate’s role as an administrator, educator and researcher; and
- names and contact information of three individuals who may be contacted for references.
Working at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focussed curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.
Dedicated to a people first culture, TMU is proud to rank number one on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity. We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks. Visit us on X (previously known as Twitter): @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and our LinkedIn page.
TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.
About the Faculty of Arts
The mission of The Faculty of Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University is to foster academic excellence and community impact through innovative teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research that addresses the most pressing social, cultural, and economic challenges of our time. We are committed to creating an environment where curiosity drives discovery, diversity strengthens knowledge, and scholarship connects theory to action.
The Faculty of Arts advances inclusive, transformative education and research in the humanities and social sciences. Through a liberal arts education, experiential and career-integrated learning, national and global engagement, we prepare students to think critically, act ethically, and engage meaningfully with the world around them.
About the Department of Sociology
Our faculty are committed to social justice, anti-racism, and decolonization, and are active in a wide range of research and community-based projects, from environmental movements in Toronto, to the state of our educational system, to work and labour justice, to women and Islam. We train students to use sociological theories and research methods to create social change.
Contacts
Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to Dr. Amy Peng, Dean, Faculty of Arts..
Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to contact Debbie Thompson [debbie.thompson@torontomu.ca], Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion [www.torontomu.ca/equity].
Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact James McKay, Indigenous Human Resources Lead at indigenous@torontomu.ca.
For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Recruitment Portal, please contact vpfa@torontomu.ca.
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