The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota invites applications for a full-time, academic-year appointment as the Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer Visiting Professor in Finnish Studies for the 2025–26 academic year. The position is associated with one of the following interdisciplinary initiatives: Climate Change & Environmental Justice, Refugees, Migrants & Human Rights, or Threats to Democracy & Authoritarianism.

The Federation of Finnish Learned Societies (TSV) is a long-time partner of the University of Minnesota and shares information about the Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer Visiting Professor opportunity for Finnish scholars. Additionally, TSV receives applications and forwards them to the University of Minnesota. Please read the announcement carefully.

About the position

The University of Minnesota is currently soliciting applications from Finnish scholars whose work addresses one or more of the following interdisciplinary initiatives: the Climate Change & Environmental Justice; Refugees, Migrants, & Human Rights; or Threats to Democracy & Authoritarianism.  Preference will be given to candidates with expertise that extends and enhances current offerings at the University of Minnesota. We invite applications from across the social sciences, humanities, and fine arts, including – but not limited to – the visual arts, political science, history, literature, and digital media.

Full-time, nine-month academic year position at the rank of visiting professor, visiting associate professor, or visiting assistant professor, based on the rank held at the home institution.  Scholars from non-academic institutions will be appointed depending on qualifications and experience, and consistent with Collegiate and University policy.  Appointment will be in a CLA department that is consistent with the applicant’s degree and teaching interests.

Responsibilities

CLA faculty members are expected to maintain an active program of research and/or creative activity. The Visiting Professor will teach no more than three courses per academic year at the undergraduate and/or graduate level (including seminars) arranged according to the candidate’s expertise, curricular needs of the department, and in consideration of the mission of the Professorship.  The Visiting Professor will also organize and coordinate scholarly and creative outreach activities; participate in efforts to promote wider interest in Finland; and strengthen ties between Finland, the University, and the arts, business, or political communities in the greater Minnesota region.

Qualifications

Ph.D. or terminal degree in the relevant discipline; two years university-level teaching or equivalent professional experience; and proficiency in the English language are required.

Appointment

Initial term of appointment is for academic year 2025/26 (25 August 2025 to 24 May 2026).  Appointment is annually renewable for up to two additional years, subject to performance and availability of funding.  The University is especially interested in receiving applications from candidates willing to teach at Minnesota for two to three years. Salary is competitive, based on qualifications and experience.  Benefits are commensurate with visiting faculty appointment.

How to apply?

Candidates should send a letter of application, curriculum vitae (including publications), a two-page statement of research and teaching interests with an explanation of how these interests will contribute to the development of multidisciplinary Finnish Studies, and names and addresses of three references.  

All materials should be sent by e-mail to tsv@tsv.fi with a heading “Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer Visiting Professorship in Finnish Studies.”

Please note that all application materials must be submitted in English. 

For technical questions about the position, please contact Dr. Ryynänen-Karjalainen (lea.ryynanen-karjalainen@tsv.fi).

For further substantive information or questions about the position, please contact Dr. Evelyn Davidheiser (edavidh@umn.edu), Assistant Dean for International Programs, College of Liberal Arts & Director, Institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota.

Application deadline

28 February 2025. Applications will be reviewed initially in Finland and interviews will be conducted by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Education and by representatives of the University of Minnesota.  Selection of finalists will be determined by the University of Minnesota by 31 March 2025.

For additional information please see GOF/DANS Visiting Professorship on the university's website.

Download announcement (pdf).

About the Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer Visiting Professor

The Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer Visiting Professorship was created in 1989 to stimulate interest in Finland; to raise awareness of unique and important Finnish contributions in cultural, political, and social spheres; and to establish new networks between scholars in Finland and the United States. The visitor will be housed in a CLA department consistent with their degree and teaching experience. CLA is the collegiate home of the social sciences, humanities, and fine arts.

Are you interested in the Visiting Professorship? Read Visiting Professor Karina Horsti´s interview From Finland to Minnesota: A Perspective on Migration Studies on the website of the University of Minnesota.