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School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London -
Chair in African History Location: United Kingdom Institution Type: College/University Position Type: Full Professor Submitted: Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005
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SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES University of London Chair in African History Department of History Professorial salary minimum of £47,454 p.a. inclusive Vacancy No: 100064 Applications are invited for the prestigious Chair in African History at SOAS, tenable from September 2006. Candidates need to demonstrate an internationally recognised research record, and be able to provide outstanding academic leadership. Expertise can be in any geographical area of Africa. The successful candidate will be expected to play a particularly important role in enhancing the current graduate studies programme. Prospective candidates seeking further information on the Department and the School may contact the Head of the Department, Professor William Gervase Clarence-Smith (wc2@soas.ac.uk). Annual leave is 30 days per annum plus statutory and bank holidays. USS pension scheme is available. An application form and further particulars can be downloaded from www.soas.ac.uk/jobs. Alternatively, write to the Human Resources Department, SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H OXG, fax no: 020 7074 5129 or e-mail humanresources@soas.ac.uk stating your name, address and the vacancy reference number. CV’s will only be accepted when accompanied by an application form. Closing date: 2 December 2005 SOAS values diversity and aims to be an equal opportunities employer. SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY Chair in African History Vacancy No: 100064 Further Particulars Introduction SOAS is one of the colleges of the University of London. Its Royal Charter of Incorporation dates from 1916. There are approximately 200 academic staff and almost 4,000 students. SOAS is unique, in that it is the only higher education institution specialising in the study of Asia and Africa. The academic structure of the School consists of 5 regional departments concerned with the languages and cultures of Africa, the Near and Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia respectively, and 11 disciplinary departments in humanities and social sciences. SOAS as a whole has a strong commitment to the study of a wide range of languages, literatures and cultures, many of which are taught nowhere else in the UK. The School’s library is the national resource for the study of Asia and Africa. With over 850,000 volumes, 4,500 periodicals plus an enormous collection of audio-visual materials and special collections, the library caters for many different teaching and research needs. The School is fortunate in having the award-winning Brunei Gallery, built in 1995, which contains both a teaching block and art gallery. The latter hosts visiting exhibitions throughout the year. It also houses a small permanent collection. The Percival David Foundation nearby offers another invaluable resource for SOAS students as it contains the world’s most significant collection of Chinese ceramics outside Asia. Since September 2002, departments have been grouped into Faculties of Languages and Cultures, Arts and Humanities, and Law and Social Sciences. Department Background The History Department currently has 18 permanent academic staff, and 6 temporary lecturers, researching on different parts of Asia and Africa. In both the 1996 and 2001 Research Assessment Exercises, the Department was awarded a 5*, the highest grade available, and in 2001 this was increased to a 6* when an extra grade was introduce. This is reflected in the number of research students (MPhil/PhD), which is one of the largest in the School. The Department also contributes significantly to MA degrees, and offers single-subject and joint-subject BA degrees. There are five regional sections in the Department (Africa, Near and Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, and East Asia). Colleagues are allocated to at least one of these sections, which have their own research seminars (joint in the cases of South East Asia and East Asia). The African History section currently has four lecturers and a temporary lecturer. The Chair of African History has been vacant since the retirement of Prof. Richard Rathbone. Teaching The principal MA degree programme is the MA in History, and an MA in Historical Research Methods has recently been launched. Colleagues also teach students from other programmes, notably the popular Area Studies MAs. MAs are taught over one calendar year. The undergraduate degree programme is the BA in History, within which students select a regional or thematic pathway. In addition to four geographical pathways (Africa, Near and Middle East, South Asia, and Asia-Pacific), there are two inter-regional pathways ‘Third World’ and ‘Islamic’. History also offers joint degree BAs with any another discipline in the School, including languages. BA students have limited access to History courses taught at other colleges of the University of London. Undergraduate degrees are usually taken over three years, but can be taken over four years when combined with certain languages. The successful candidate for the Chair in African History will be required to pay special attention to teaching at MA level, although she or he will also participate in BA courses. Research A top priority is to maintain the Department’s excellent rating in previous RAE exercises in the 2007-08 exercise, and in any subsequent ones. All academic members of staff are required to be ‘research active’. The formulation of research projects, and the gaining of funding to carry them out, is an important part of colleagues’ work, and the School provides professional advice and help on both aspects. Colleagues are expected to attract and supervise PhD students, and to participate actively in regional history seminars in which research students present their work. The African History Seminar has an especially distinguished reputation, and many international scholars present their findings in this forum. A pressing task for the successful candidate for the Chair in African History will be to build up the number of PhD students in African history. Staff List The present staff of the History Department, including those on fixed term contracts, but excluding temporary lecturers and members of other departments teaching History courses, are as follows, with an indication of regional specialisation: Ali, Dr Daud (South Asia) Arnold, Prof David (South Asia) Brennan, Dr James (Africa) Brown, Prof Ian (South East Asia) Charney, Dr Michael (South East Asia) Clarence-Smith, Prof William Gervase (South East Asia) Dikötter, Dr Frank (East Asia) Dooling, Dr Wayne (Africa) Fortna, Dr Benjamin (Near and Middle East) Fuccaro, Dr Nelida (Near and Middle East) Hawting, Prof Gerald (Near and Middle East) Lockyer, Dr Angus (East Asia) Miran, Dr Marie (Africa) Parker, Dr John (Africa) Powell, Dr Avril (South Asia) Tejani, Dr Shabnum (South Asia) Tiedemann, Dr Gary (East Asia) Walcher, Dr Heidi (Near and Middle East) Candidates seeking further information, or wishing to visit the School, should contact the Head of the Department, Prof. William Gervase Clarence-Smith: School of Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG (wc2@soas.ac.uk, Tel. +44 (0)20 7898-4608, Faculty Fax (not secure) +44 (0)20 7898-4699). They may also wish to consult the School’s web site: http://www.soas.ac.uk Closing date: 2 December 2005 Job applicants who have been short-listed would normally be notified within six weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard from the Human Resources Department by this date, please assume that your application for employment has been unsuccessful on this occasion. SOAS values diversity and aims to be an equal opportunities employer. SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Chair in African History Department: History Responsible to: Dean of Arts & Humanities Faculty, through the Head of Department Tenure: Permanent, Full-time Salary Scale: Professorial minimum plus £2,134p.a. London Allowance Purpose of Job: To improve the academic standing of the School by carrying out and publishing research of the highest quality and by lecturing and tutoring students to a high academic standard. To provide academic leadership up to the most senior level. Main Activities and Responsibilities 1. To advance knowledge in the subject by conducting research and other original work and publishing the results individually or in collaboration with others. 2. The provision of lectures, seminars, classes and advisory services for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. 3. To tutor undergraduate students and to supervise postgraduate students. 4. To examine students including examining students of other institutions when necessary. 5. To assist in the recruitment and selection of students. 6. To participate fully in the activities of such Centres as relate to your subject. 7. To undertake senior administrative duties within the School. 8. To support and participate in the work of the Language Centre (if applicable). 9. To assess, appraise, guide and support colleagues and support staff. 10. To develop and maintain collegiate relationships in research and other academic activities including regularly attending meetings of School bodies to which the Chair may be appointed. 11. Other duties as may be required by the Dean of Faculty, through the Head of Department. The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. Job descriptions should be regularly reviewed to ensure they are an accurate representation of the post. SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Chair in African History Department: History Responsible to: Dean of Arts & Humanities Faculty, through the Head of Department Salary Scale: Professorial minimum plus £2,134p.a. London Allowance Professorial salaries will be made within career bands in operation at the School. The successful candidate will be offered a salary within one of the bands, in accordance with the criteria. Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience: 1. Evidence of being able to carry out and publish research of a high academic quality which will improve, or at least maintain, the Department’s research rating in the Research Assessment Exercise. 2. Ability to lecture, tutor and supervise students to a high academic standard, from undergraduate and postgraduate students, who have diverse backgrounds and experience. 3. Have a specialist knowledge of the History of Africa. 4. Teaching experience in a Higher Education environment, preferably a University. 5. Proven senior administrative and organisational skills. 6. Sound time management skills, the ability to plan and to meet deadlines. 7. Well developed written and interpersonal communication skills. 8. The ability to provide academic leadership. 9. National or international standing in the relevant subject or profession as evidenced by outstanding contributions to its advancement through publications, creative work, or other appropriate forms of scholarship or performance and through teaching and administration. Essential Qualifications: 10. A PhD in the subject. Essential Personal Qualities: 1. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with students, staff, academic peers and external/professional organisations. 2. An ability to work independently and to participate fully as a team member. 3. Commitment to providing quality programmes at all levels. 4. Flexible and responsive, particularly to the changing education environment. 5. Proven leadership and facilitation skills. 6. High degree of professional judgement and integrity. |
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Contact Info: Human Resources Department, SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H OXG fax no: 020 7074 5129 or e-mail humanresources@soas.ac.uk Website: http://www.soas.ac.uk |
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