The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota invites applications for a full-time, academic year appointment as Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer (GOF/DANS) Visiting Professor in Finnish Studies beginning fall semester 2023.

About the position

This appointment is for academic year 2023/24 (28 August 2023 to 26 May 2024) with the possibility of renewal for one or two additional academic years.

We seek applications from Finnish scholars whose work addresses one or more of the following interdisciplinary initiatives: Climate Change & Environmental Justice; Refugees, Migrants, & Human Rights; or Threats to Democracy & Authoritarianism. 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.

The visitor will be housed in a CLA department consistent with their degree and teaching experience.

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.

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(at)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.

Application deadline: 15 October 2022.

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 15 December 2022.

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

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Download announcement (pdf).

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The Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer (GOF/DANS) 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 Federation of Finnish Learned Societies handles the initial reviewing process for the applications.

For technical questions about the position, please contact Dr. Ryynänen-Karjalainen (lea.ryynanen-karjalainen(at)tsv.fi). For further substantive information or questions about the position, please contact Dr. Evelyn Davidheiser (edavidh(at)umn.edu), Assistant Dean for International Programs, College of Liberal Arts & Director, Institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota.