Boston University Hiring for Assistant Professor, School of Social Work at Boston, MA Full Time

As one of the nation’s top schools of social work, Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, research, and evidence-based practice to solve the most pressing societal problems of the 21st century. BUSSW views the racial, cultural, and social diversity of our faculty, staff, and students as essential to the excellence and distinction of our MSW and PhD programs. Thus, we are seeking and value candidates that represent a variety of social identities, including those who have been underrepresented in higher education, who possess skills that spark innovation, and who, through their research, scholarship, teaching, and service experiences, bring expertise that will contribute to a vibrant, inclusive community. BUSSW is a dynamic school with an extensive research portfolio with funding from NIH, SAMHSA, HRSA, private foundations, and supportive alumni. Boston University’s 17 schools/colleges and numerous research centers create a rich environment for interdisciplinary research. (For additional information please visit our website). We invite persons with a strong commitment to research, scholarship, and teaching in the following three areas to apply to join our faculty in the 2023-24 academic year, pending Provost budgetary approval.

Global Social Work: Clinical Practice with Immigrants and Refugees

The Clinical Practice Department seeks applications from early-career scholars that have research, teaching, and/or clinical practice interests in advancing best practices in work with immigrant and refugees using trauma-informed, justice-focused, and culturally responsive mental health approaches that address stigma, xenophobia, and other oppressive factors, while also affirming strength and resilience to enhance mental health. We are dedicated to cutting-edge scholarship, community partnerships, and training in global social work with diverse populations who are experiencing forced displacement, cultural uprooting and migration, and those affected by wide-ranging challenges including trauma caused by structural racism, heteropatriarchy, and systemic violence.

Primary teaching responsibilities include MSW clinical practice foundation courses. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research focuses on one or more of the following:

Micro and macro multi-level determinants (individual, familial, community, societal, policy) of outcomes related to the health, mental health and well-being of immigrants and refugees

How ideological, institutional, cultural, and socio-political factors as well as immigration policies affect mental health and other outcomes of immigrants and refugees

The impact of migration journeys on families, children of all ages, and unaccompanied youth

Innovative, strength-based, macro-to-micro level global health solutions to address structural and social inequities impacting immigrants and refugees and promote human rights and anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice.

Environmental and Climate Justice: Inclusive Community Engagement and Practice

The Macro Department seeks applications from early-career scholars that have research, teaching and practice expertise in community & environmental health/social determinants, environmental justice, and community engagement. We are looking for candidates who can develop a nationally recognized research portfolio focused on environmental justice and/or climate equity and/or the impact of climate change on human well-being, particularly on marginalized and oppressed populations. Successful applicants will apply a critical lens to examine the intersection of racial equity and the environment focusing on topics such as environmental pollution (i.e., air, water), particularly environmental hazards and their impacts on marginalized and oppressed communities. This may include a focus on health policy at the community, city, state, national, and global levels. Primary teaching responsibilities include MSW core macro social work practice courses which focus on topics such as coalition building, grassroots community engagement/action, legislative advocacy, and/or other forms of policy practice.

Health Policy and Advancement of Health Equity

The Human Behavior, Research, and Policy Department seeks applications from early-career scholars with research, teaching, and practice expertise in health policy relevant to any stage of the policy process (e.g., design, implementation, evaluation) in the United States. While policies can promote equity, remedy injustices, and foster healthy families and communities, they can also give rise to disparities and limit opportunities for people to achieve their capabilities. We are looking for candidates whose research program: 1) recognizes the link between structural conditions that create poor health/health disparities and policies developed to combat these problems and advance population-level health; and 2) who use rigorous quantitative methods to assess implementation and impact of health policies and health care programs on outcomes related to health equity. Primary teaching responsibilities include MSW and PhD social welfare policy foundation courses. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research focuses on one or more of the following:

Policies such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Medicare, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Policies and programs that advance health equity by dismantling structural inequities, such as racism, ableism, heteropatriarchy, and environmental injustice.

Financing and delivery/implementation of health care interventions for vulnerable populations.

Required Skills

Requirements for all positions: Candidates must have 1) a PhD in social work, a relevant social science discipline, or public health, 2) a beginning record of publications, and 3) a well-defined research agenda. Some experience securing funding and teaching is highly desirable.

DO NOT APPLY THROUGH THE BOSTON UNIVERSITY HR WEBSITE.

Applicants should submit: 1) a cover letter which includes statements of research accomplishments and goals as well as teaching interests and experiences; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) a diversity statement outlining experiences and commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence; 4) two articles (or article-length writing samples); and 5) the names and contact information for three references. First consideration will be given to applications received by September 30, 2022. Application review will begin in early September and will continue on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Questions about the position can be directed to the SSW Search Committee/Dean’s Office: (swsearch@bu.edu).

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty, will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the Back2BU site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Experience