Career Opportunities

Arizona State University invites applications for Director of its School of Politics and Global Studies (SPGS).  The successful candidate will join and lead a multidisciplinary community of scholars and students who pursue collaborative and innovative approaches to understanding politics and governance at local, national and global levels. This is an opportunity for an accomplished and creative social scientist, who is a demonstrated leader, to develop and implement a strategic vision for a large, nationally-ranked academic unit at a Research 1 University whose charter and goals prioritize student success, public engagement, and use-inspired research to advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Reporting to the Dean of Social Sciences at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Director will foster growth and innovation in the School’s research mission, working to attract, develop, and retain exceptional faculty members. Key goals also include promoting excellence in the undergraduate and graduate programs; developing interdisciplinary research and teaching initiatives; advancing entrepreneurial opportunities; enhancing relations with partners and publics within and beyond the university community; and contributing to the newly-launched university-wide Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiative.  These goals reflect the design aspirations of the “New American University” that infuse decision-making across ASU’s in-person and online operations, currently serving over 110,000 students. 

SPGS is an academic unit in the Social Sciences in ASU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with an annual operating budget of $5-7 million. With 32 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 13 professors of practice, 7 lecturers, as well as 14 staff members, the School offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in Political Science; bachelors degrees in Global Studies and in Politics and the Economy; and masters degrees in Global Security and Political Psychology.  SPGS is currently launching a masters degree in International Affairs and Leadership (more information on our degree programs is available at: https://spgs.asu.edu/degree-programs). Current enrollments include 40 MA and PhD students in political science, over 160 online students in the MA in Global Security, over 40 online students in the MA in Political Psychology, as well as 1,600 undergraduate majors.

The Social Sciences at ASU are ranked fourth nationally in recent National Science Foundation HERD rankings. The School hosts several vibrant research centers and facilities, including the Center for Latinas/os and American Politics Research, the Center on the Future of War, and an Experimental Lab. The School also has partnerships with the McCain Institute, New America, and The Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies. In addition, SPGS faculty have formed five research working groups:  Conflict and Human Rights, Nationalist and Ethno-religious Dynamics, Political Economy, Political Psychology, and Women and Politics.

The College values our cultural and intellectual diversity, and continually strives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are especially interested in applicants who can strengthen the diversity of the academic community. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, or a closely related social science field
• Distinguished scholarly record appropriate to appointment at rank of full professor with tenure
• Demonstrated excellence in administrative leadership, placing emphasis on having prior experience managing staff and budgets

Desired Qualifications

• A proven record of promoting inclusive excellence and success among faculty and students, consistent with the principles of ASU’s Charter
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills
• Experience in obtaining external funding and/or building relationships with potential donors, alumni, and broader community
• A commitment to engaging faculty across a range of disciplines

The position is available beginning July 1, 2021 . Salary and start-up funding will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications. Review of applications will begin on December 7, 2020 . If not filled, applications will be evaluated every two weeks thereafter until the search is closed. Applicants should submit electronically (in MS Word or PDF format) a cover letter addressing the qualifications listed above; a current curriculum vitae; contacts (email and phone) for four references; and a brief statement (1-2 pages) addressing how past and/or potential contributions to diversity and inclusion will advance ASU’s commitment to inclusive excellence to:  http://apply.interfolio.com/80084.  Inquiries and nominations should be directed to:  Elizabeth.Langland@asu.edu. 

The search committee proposes to conduct preliminary interviewees remotely with long-listed candidates in December. All applications will be treated confidentially until shortlisted candidates are invited to virtual campus visits early in 2021.