Assistant Professor in Book and Media Studies and Writing Instruction

Closes: July 27, 2025

Position Title:	Assistant Professor in Book and Media Studies and Writing Instruction
Terms:	24-month contractually limited term appointment
Salary:	Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience in accordance with UTFA guidelines.
Posting date:	July 14, 2025
Closing date:	11:59pm on July 27, 2025
Apply to:	University of St. Michael’s College c/o Office of the Principal email: usmc.principalsoffice@utoronto.ca (please include your full name and position title in subject line of email whensubmitting resume and cover letter)

About St. Michael’s College

The University of St. Michael’s College boasts a diverse and vibrant community of over 5,400 undergraduate students registered within the Faculty of Arts and Science at the world-renowned University of Toronto.

The College is home to students enrolled across a full range of the undergraduate courses and programs offered in the Faculty of Arts and Science. It also sponsors four acclaimed interdisciplinary programs (Book & Media Studies, Celtic Studies, Christianity and Culture, Medieval Studies) and numerous first-year courses. These courses and programs are open to all students in the Faculty of Arts and Science and are grounded in the interdisciplinary strengths, intellectual history, and special collections and resources housed within the College.

St. Michael’s is home to one of the busiest and most popular libraries on the St. George campus; to an acclaimed art collection; to a Print Studio featuring a variety of working historic printing presses; to an Academic Success Centre housing dedicated supports in writing, research, and learning strategy; and to a dynamic community of student groups and clubs. It is also home to a recognized community of supportive faculty, fellows, and librarians who teach across various subjects at U of T and who participate actively in the provision of mentorship, research, and co-curricular opportunities for undergraduates.

Located in the downtown core only steps away from the Royal Ontario Museum, Queen’s Park, and the two main subway lines, St. Michael’s offers a “home away from home” to commuter and resident students alike. The College is well-known for its beautiful historic grounds and peaceful campus setting. Home to a variety of residence buildings that range from historic old houses to more modern constructions, it provides a unique residence experience to over 650 undergraduate students. It also provides the atmosphere of a friendly and characterful neighbourhood to all students across a variety of spaces that include a library late-night café, a Wellness Studio, numerous green spaces, and a basketball court.

Committed to supporting and empowering students in all aspects of their university experience, St. Michael’s continues to build upon its informing strengths in teaching and scholarly excellence, academic support, interdisciplinary exploration, and the provision of a close-knit community that recognizes the uniqueness of every student’s journey. It thrives on the energy and engagement of a student community encouraged to explore, discover, and apply their learning, ambition, and curiosity to an active engagement with the wider community. Never complacent in this commitment to the student experience and ever-responsive to the enlivening potential of challenge and initiative, St. Michael’s is currently embarking upon a renewed investment in key areas of student support.

Position Summary:

St. Michael’s College in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto invites applications for a two-year contractually limited term appointment in Book & Media Studies and Writing Instruction. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2025.

Teaching responsibilities will include the equivalent of 1.5 full-course equivalents per year in the Book & Media Studies program, alongside responsibilities in writing instruction through the St. Michael’s College Writing and Research Help Centre. Writing instruction duties will include individual and small-group consultations with students on their writing assignments across a range of disciplines, with an emphasis on organization, reasoning, clarity, and style. The instructor may also be asked to deliver occasional writing workshops—either general or linked to specific College courses or programs.

Applicants must hold a PhD in a discipline closely related to Book and Media Studies by the time of appointment. They should demonstrate a record of excellence in university-level teaching, including the development and delivery of lectures, creation of course materials, and (ideally) experience with online or hybrid learning environments. Candidates should have teaching and research interests that complement existing program strengths and show clear evidence of engagement in pedagogical or disciplinary scholarship. Experience with academic writing instruction across disciplines, writing centre consultation with students of diverse backgrounds and of different levels of English-language facility, and writing-focused workshop facilitation is also expected. Evidence of teaching excellence may include teaching awards, strong course evaluations, a teaching dossier (including a statement of teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, and selected evaluations), and strong letters of reference. The successful candidate will also demonstrate a clear commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and to fostering a respectful and collaborative academic environment.

The Book & Media Studies program at St. Michael’s College is an interdisciplinary and historical exploration of how texts and media—from manuscripts to digital platforms—are produced, circulated, and received. The curriculum encompasses topics such as print history and culture, book illustration, advertising, censorship, reading practices, and the evolution of mass media, including radio, television, the internet, and social media. The program prepares students for graduate study in areas such as Book History and Print Culture, Information and Library Science, Cinema Studies, Cultural History, and Literary Studies, as well as for careers in publishing, journalism, editing, and communications. The program is also part of the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream, available to students entering their second year in the Book & Media Studies major.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience in accordance with UTFA guidelines.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted by email to usmc.principalsoffice@utoronto.ca by 11:59 p.m. EST on July 27, 2025, and include the following:

1. An application letter;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. Evidence of excellence in teaching (e.g. teaching dossier);
4. A sample of academic writing (e.g., an article or a chapter of a book/dissertation no more than 25 pages long);
5. The names of three referees who can attest to teaching competence and writing instruction in the fields required by the position.

Questions about the position and applications may be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Professor Irene Morra, Principal and Vice-President, University of St Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, at usmc.principalsoffice@utoronto.ca. For further information about St. Michael’s College and its programs, please see https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/academics/programs

Please note that this position is tentative, pending funding, final course determinations and enrolments.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

The University of St. Michael’s College is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal people of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, people who take a religiously informed view of human experience, and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accessibility accommodation, please contact Human Resources at 416-926-1300 ext. 7191 or hr.stmikes@utoronto.ca