Community-Engaged Design Teaching Faculty

University of Wisconsin–Madison Employer:
Madison, WI, USLocation:
Fri, Dec 6 '24Posted on:
Full-timeType:

Job Summary: The Community-Engaged Design Teaching Faculty position will be an integral member of the Design Studies Department. This hybrid position will teach design and design strategy courses and develop strategic partnerships with the community and industry through the new DesignConnect Initiative. The vision of DesignConnect is to foster interdisciplinary design research, connect design professionals, researchers and the public to respond to local, national and global needs. It will act as a nexus of design research, design consultancy and co-created design to provide stimulating opportunities for engaged student learning in efforts towards addressing larger societal issues.

This unique position offers a dynamic opportunity for a talented individual to contribute to both the education of students in capstone and other design-related courses and departmental design outreach initiatives. The successful candidate will engage with industry and community partners, fostering collaborations and promoting the department's work, while also teaching and mentoring students in design courses.

This 9-month, renewable teaching appointment requires a mix of instruction and administrative duties. The standard teaching load for Teaching Faculty in the School of Human Ecology includes 12 credits of instruction per semester. For this hybrid position, up to 6 credits per semester will be substituted with other administrative duties related to cultivating strategic partnerships with the community and industry (see details below) or other projects aimed at enhancing the undergraduate student experience or the department, as determined by the Department Chair and the Dean of the School of Human Ecology. Summer appointments will also be considered.

Specific tasks include:

Teaching Design and Design Strategy: Deliver high-quality instruction in design and design strategy courses at the undergraduate levels. Develop and conduct engaging lectures, workshops, and studio sessions that foster critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective communication within the field of design. Utilize innovative teaching methods and tools to enrich student learning experiences. Offer mentorship and guidance to students, providing constructive feedback and support for their design projects and professional growth.

Building Strategic Partnership: Cultivate connections between the department and the broader community through the DesignConnect Initiative, offering assistance to capstone courses and overseeing graduate project assistants. Establish the capabilities, successes, and services of DesignConnect within the university community and beyond. Collaborate with the in-house communication team to craft marketing materials, coordinate events, and produce online content that highlights the impact of the DesignConnect Initiative, attracting potential students, faculty, and industry partners. This includes cultivating partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and educational institutions. Engage in professional networks and attend pertinent conferences to elevate the department's visibility and reputation.

Supervision of Undergraduate/Graduate Project Assistants: Supervise and mentor graduate project assistants and undergraduate interns engaged with the DesignConnect Initiative. Assign tasks, provide comprehensive training, and ensure their productivity and professional development. Offer consistent support and feedback to ensure the successful execution of their designated responsibilities.

Student Mentoring: Offer mentorship to students with a passion for design and design strategy. Assist students in formulating their career aspirations, guide them in selecting internships, and extracurricular involvements. Provide valuable resources and unwavering support to facilitate students' academic and professional achievements.

Service and Collaboration: Contribute actively to departmental and institutional service endeavors, which encompass committee involvement and participation in academic gatherings. Collaborate seamlessly with colleagues on interdisciplinary projects and initiatives. Contribute your expertise and insights to benefit the department, while also engaging in continuous professional development to elevate the effectiveness of teaching and outreach activities.

Education: Required Master's Degree

Advanced degrees (a minimum level of Masters, M. Arch or MFA) with at least one undergraduate or graduate degree from environmental design (interior design, architecture, or other allied fields).

Qualifications: We are seeking candidates with professional design experience, particularly in community-engaged or participatory design, to join our dynamic department at a leading university. The Teaching Faculty rank is commensurate with the candidate's professional and teaching experience in design, design strategy, or related fields.

Minimum Qualifications (commensurate with rank):

• -Three years of professional design experience, with a strong portfolio in community-engaged or participatory design.
• -Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain industry/community partnerships.
• -Proven excellence in teaching and student mentoring in higher education.
• -Ability to teach various design courses at the undergraduate level.
• -Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population.
• -Current knowledge of design communication technology.
• -Excellent communication skills.
• -Proficiency in relevant design software and tools.
• -Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• -Familiarity with emerging trends in design.
• -Commitment to creating an inclusive work environment.
• -Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and design practice.

Preferred qualification:

• -Experience in multidisciplinary collaboration and project-based learning.

How to Apply: To begin the application process, please click visit the UW Jobs website posting button to start the application process. You will be asked to upload the following:

1. A cover letter summarizing your interest in and relevant experience for this position (max 1 page);
2. A current CV or resume focusing on education and activities most relevant to this position (max 5 pages);
3. A teaching statement describing your undergraduate teaching experience, teaching philosophy, and how your industry experiences will apply to your classroom teaching and student mentoring (max 2 pages);and evidence of effectiveness in undergraduate design education commensurate with rank sought (e.g., a sample syllabus, copies of course evaluations, peer teaching observations);
4. Practice/Teaching portfolio that showcase both your and your students' design work and projects (max 20 pages);
5. 5 Descriptions of community-based projects, detailing your role, the goals of the project, strategies used, and the outcomes achieved (max 2 pages).

Applicants will also be asked to provide contact information for three professional references, including a current supervisor, who can speak to their abilities as pertains to this position. References will not be contacted without prior notification of the candidate.

To ensure consideration, application must be received by: January 15, 2025

Additional Information:

DESIGN STUDIES DEPARTMENT: The Design Studies Department currently houses three undergraduate programs: Interior Architecture (IA), Textile and Fashion Design (TFD), and Design, Innovation, and Society (DIS) which focuses on how design processes offer solutions for society's complex social, economic, political, and cultural challenges. It also houses a graduate program that offers MFA and Ph.D. degrees in the broader field of design and provides instructional support for the Master of Design and Innovation program on campus.

THE CENTER FOR DESIGN AND MATERIAL CULTURE: The Center for Design and Material Culture is the primary destination for the multi-disciplinary study of material culture and design at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with particular focus on the study of design, material culture, and textiles. This vision is supported by the rich resources of the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, two galleries, the Ruth Davis Gallery and the Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery, and the SoHE Innovation Studio.

SCHOOL OF HUMAN ECOLOGY - OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS (OSP): The OSP mission is to

build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with private, public and nonprofit organizations to drive impactful student learning and pathways to purposeful careers. We achieve our mission by identifying shared goals with our partners to create opportunities to connect with students in class, projects, and through events.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DESIGN + INNOVATION PROGRAM (MD+I): MD+I is an immersive 12-month

graduate program in interdisciplinary design and collaboration between the College of Engineering, School of Human Ecology, School of Business, the Art Department within the School of Education, and the Information School in the College of Letters & Science. The degree prepares students to solve complex problems by providing them with a robust set of design and innovation strategies from multiple perspectives. MD+I is dedicated to shaping the future of design through inclusive, collaborative, and socially engaged practices. We strive to empower our students to become innovative leaders who are capable of addressing the world's most pressing issues with empathy, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive impact on society.

SCHOOL OF HUMAN ECOLOGY: The mission of the School of Human Ecology is to understand the complex relationships and interdependence among individuals, groups and families, and to focus on quality-of-life issues through research, creative innovation, education, and outreach. The School has four academic departments (Civil Society & Community Studies, Consumer Science, Design Studies, and Human Development & Family Studies) with a collective undergraduate enrollment of more than 2,200 students, and 100 graduate students. See https://humanecology.wisc.edu/

UW-MADISON: The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a strong reputation as a research university and for producing research that improves people's lives. The University consistently ranks among the top 6 institutions in national research expenditures. In 2015, the University received a community engagement award from the Carnegie Foundation for its commitment to deeply engaging with local, regional, national, and global communities. It is a land-grant institution with an enrollment of about 43,000 students. Madison (pop. 243,000) is the state capital and combines the culture of a large urban area with the comfort of a small city. See http://wisc.edu

Please apply at the following link: https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/com...