The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor focused on issues related to special education and/or prevention science. Candidates’ research portfolios could focus on any level of the preschool through higher education (PK-16) system. Their work should advance HGSE’s commitment to educational equity and to assets-based approaches highlighting both the contributions of students with disabilities and/or academic vulnerabilities, and the societal and educational benefits of universal strategies and inclusion efforts, including tiered approaches to instruction and student supports.
Advancing educational outcomes for all learners, including students with disabilities and students who are vulnerable to poor academic outcomes requires progress at the institutional, organizational, community, and classroom levels, though no single individual can address this full range of concerns. With this in mind, we seek candidates who have expertise at any of those levels, doing work that, for example, addresses one of the following challenges or topics with an equity lens: design, evaluation, and delivery of programs and approaches aimed at reducing risk and promoting academic learning; developing and testing the efficacy of targeted interventions to prevent and ameliorate academic difficulties; inclusive learning environments; universal design for learning; disability studies and/or critical perspectives on special education; identification processes and support services; program implementation and evaluation; least restrictive environments; school improvement strategies; approaches to professional learning; innovations in curriculum and instruction; adaptive technologies; addressing disproportionality in special education; and redesigning and/or personalizing learning environments.
We also seek candidates who have the potential to make a powerful contribution to the core curriculum for our master’s and doctoral programs, by teaching required courses and recommended elective courses as part of specific program pathways. In particular, the successful candidate is likely to take a teaching leadership role in a core special education course for teacher education students and/or in one of our foundational course requirements for all entering master’s students, such as How People Learn or the Disability in Context module included in the Equity and Opportunity foundational course options. The Disability in Context module explores the social and cultural forces that lead to the discrimination and exclusion of individuals with disabilities, with a focus on actions and strategies to disrupt these forces.
The ability to convey conceptual as well as practical knowledge beyond one’s own specific expertise is crucial. High-quality teaching is highly valued at HGSE, and the school is committed to cultivating and supporting strong teaching practices among faculty, primarily through the work of our Teaching and Learning Lab. The successful candidate will have the potential to be a strong contributor to the development and delivery of residential and online professional development programs for practitioners, administrators, and leaders through HGSE’s Programs in Professional Education. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to HGSE initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. HGSE faculty at all ranks advise students and participate in institutional governance and service.
Candidates will possess a doctorate or another terminal degree by the position start date of July 1, 2024. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated teaching experience, though it is not required for the appointment.
The search committee will begin reviewing applications on November 1, 2023; for full consideration, please apply by that date. Please submit a CV, cover letter, statement of teaching philosophy that includes a description of the candidate’s orientation toward diversity, equity and inclusion practices, research statement, three letters of reference, and up to three writing samples/publications online at: http://apply.interfolio.com/132749. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit additional documents.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Faculty Affairs at academic@gse.harvard.edu.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.