Assistant Professor, Tenure-track Game Studies

This position is part of the

BUFA (Employee Group)

Brock University is one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities, a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara, ranked #3 as Canada's Best Employers and ranked top 10 as one of Canada's Best Employers for Diversity compiled by Forbes and Statista. We are an inclusive, welcoming community that offers a wide range of unique career opportunities for those with passion, energy and expertise.

We are looking for team members who want to help us continue to deliver an exceptional student experience, perform impact-driven research and generate life-changing breakthroughs for our world. Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.

Post End Date:

Note to all candidates: This posting will close at 12:01 am on the date listed.

March 7, 2025

About Brock University

With a student population of more than 19,000, Brock is renowned for its exceptional campus experience and high level of student satisfaction. Brock offers 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees in six academic faculties and is home to world-class instructors and researchers making breakthroughs of all kinds each and every day. Founded in 1964 by the Niagara community, Brock remains a proud partner committed to improving the vitality of the region even as it extends its global reach.

Our Geography

Brock is located on a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. This unique region intersects Lakes Ontario and Erie and is home to nearly 500,000 residents. Brock is one of the region's top employers, and is a significant contributor to the economic, intellectual and cultural fabric of the area. Niagara provides abundant recreation, cultural, and lifestyle options and is just a short drive from the Greater Toronto Area and the United States border.

What we Offer

Brock University offers competitive salary and benefits and ample support for research and sabbaticals. Research resources include conference support, start-up funding, subscriptions to major databases and access to various research funding vehicles. For candidates considering relocation, moving expenses will be administered according to the Brock University Faculty Association Collective Agreement.

About the Department of Digital Humanities

The Department of Digital Humanities (DDH) houses two undergraduate programs—Interactive Arts and Science (IASC) and GAME (in partnership with the Department of Computer Science and Niagara College). At the graduate level, the DDH offers Canada's first MA in Game Studies program. The DDH also features industry-grade facilities, including open access student labs, drawing tablets, a sound booth, access to motion capture equipment, and our newly formed STAR lab. The DDH serves Brock students pursuing studies in a wide range of interactive media disciplines within and beyond the Faculty of Humanities. Learn more at brocku.ca/dh.

About the position

The DDH at Brock University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Game Studies. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025. Responsibilities include:

• pursuing innovative and impactful research;
• establishing a competitive, externally funded research program;
• teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in games and interactive media studies;
• supervising graduate and undergraduate students;
• serving on departmental, faculty, and/or university-level committees.

Brock University and the DDH value experiential learning. The successful candidate will be expected to integrate hands-on, practice-based approaches into their teaching, reflecting our commitment to student-centered learning.

Qualifications

Candidates should hold a PhD or other terminal degree in Game Studies, Digital Humanities, Media Studies, Communications, or a related field, and have a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching.

The ideal candidates will have expertise in one or more of the following areas related to games: analysis, design and development, artificial intelligence (including critical AI studies), communities, histories, experimental games, and/or the social and cultural implications of games. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the development of our undergraduate and graduate programs.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate research excellence through publications in top-tier journals, presentations at significant conferences, and a proven ability to attract external research funding. Candidates whose research incorporates interdisciplinary and socially engaged approaches are particularly encouraged to apply. We welcome applicants who draw from diverse methodologies and perspectives, including feminist, queer, and decolonial approaches. Evidence of teaching excellence is required, including a teaching dossier that includes a record of student engagement and innovative teaching practices. Letters of reference will be requested from short-listed candidates.

This position supports Brock's strategic priorities, including building research capacity, fostering inclusivity and diversity, and expanding the interdisciplinary scope of our programs. The new hire will benefit from collaborations with Niagara College, the Department of Computer Science, and other units on campus. The department is particularly interested in candidates who contribute to the diversity of perspectives within the field of Game Studies and who can help shape the future of the discipline at Brock and beyond.

To Apply:

All documents must be submitted in electronic format (a single well-organized PDF document is preferred) via the online application system. (Note: file maximum of 5MB per attachment upload.) Candidates must submit a letter of application, a statement of research interests, a statement of teaching interests, evidence of high-quality teaching, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for three references as part of their application. Digital portfolios and other demonstrations of research excellence may be linked within the letter of application.

The closing date for applications is March 7th, 2025 at 12:01am. Inquiries should be directed to Jason Hawreliak, Associate Professor of Game Studies and Hiring Committee Chair, jhawreliak@brocku.ca.

This position is subject to final budgetary approval.

Our Commitment

Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of employment equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) peoples, Black people, people with disabilities, members of visible minorities/racialized groups, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a designated group as part of their application. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups should fill out the Self-Identification Form and include the completed form with their application.

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

We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy here. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca