Dean, Faculty of Information (iSchool)

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The University of Toronto is conducting an extensive search for Dean of the Faculty of Information (iSchool), to take office by July 1, 2021, and invites expressions of interest, applications, and nominations. This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the world’s leading information and knowledge management schools that is transforming society through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge creation.

The Faculty of Information (iSchool) is a research-led Faculty of more than 600 students, 68 faculty, instructors, and librarians, and 23 staff. The iSchool is educating the next generation of professional and academic leaders in information and leading the way in shaping and transforming the information field through ground-breaking interdisciplinary research and teaching. Innovative undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in Information offer cutting-edge specializations including Human-Centred Data Science, User Experience Design, Culture & Technology, Critical Information Policy Studies, and Library and Information Science, while the Master of Museum Studies is unique in Canada and can be combined with a Master of Information, allowing students to gain expertise in the cross-section of these areas. The iSchool is home to the McLuhan Centre for Culture and Technology, the Digital Curation Institute, the Identity, Privacy & Security Institute, the Knowledge Media Design Institute, and the Technoscience Research Unit.

The Dean of the iSchool provides visionary strategic direction, academic planning leadership, and administrative oversight to develop, implement, and adapt ideas and strategies to meet the changing needs of students, faculty, staff, and external communities. The new Dean will lead the Faculty to further excellence in teaching and research and work collaboratively with a variety of internal and external partners to continue to raise its achievements, reputation, and resources. Responsible to the Vice-President and Provost, the Dean will form part of the senior leadership of the University of Toronto.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished and visionary scholar and administrator who has demonstrated success in education, transformative accomplishments in research, and a history of academic leadership that reflects a commitment to excellence, equity, and diversity. As the strategic leader of the iSchool, the new Dean will possess an open and collegial style, a creative approach to problem solving, outstanding management, communication, and interpersonal skills, and a record of building strong teams and engaging with the community. The new Dean will provide dynamic national and international leadership to enhance the Faculty’s endeavours, promote excellence and inclusion amongst all faculty, staff, and students, and relate successfully to a wide range of internal and external partners.

The Search Committee will begin considering potential candidates immediately and will continue until the positions are successfully filled. Applications should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without consent of the applicant), and may be submitted in confidence, electronically, to the University’s executive search consultants Laverne Smith & Associates Inc. at UTischool@lavernesmith.com.

The University of Toronto is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the world for innovation, teaching, and research impact. U of T was recently ranked 15th in the world for graduate employability, and U of T’s alumni include distinguished researchers, teachers, decision-makers, prominent politicians, global business leaders, and eminent philanthropists. The University supports a renowned commercialization program through a network of entrepreneurial accelerators, and is located in one of the most diverse, vibrant, and inviting cities in the world. U of T is also recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.

The University of Toronto 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, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. In accordance with the AODA, accommodation will be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, but applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.