Associate Professor:  Department of English

FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a research-led institution recognized nationally and internationally for its sustained contribution to democratic change in South Africa. We wish to appoint an Associate Professor in Creative Writing (specialisation in poetry and prose) in the Department of English —a person willing to contribute in significant and innovative ways to teaching, research, and overall student development. We look forward to welcoming the successful candidate into the vibrant, collegial, and dedicated ethos of the Arts and Humanities Faculty. The successful candidate should also have a strong foundation in Literary Studies in English with an appreciation of the historical development of forms as they will be expected to tutor and lecture Literary Studies. However, the chosen candidate’s main responsibilities will be to contribute to the popular and dynamic Creative Writing programme poetry stream, from undergraduate to PhD level. 

The Department of English has established a successful creative writing programme at the University of the Western Cape and wishes to appoint a suitably qualified person, to teach creative writing at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as contribute to its courses in literary and cultural studies. The Department teaches a core syllabus that covers a wide spectrum of literature written in English and offers a vibrant and productive teaching and research environment. We have existing strengths in African Literature, Ecocriticism, Period Literature and Film Studies, and additionally offer credit-bearing courses in academic development.

Responsibilities/ (Key Performance Areas) include:

• Contributing to the learning and teaching programme at undergraduate and postgraduate levels (teaching effectively in large undergraduate lectures, smaller tutorial groups, and in postgraduate seminar contexts).

• Leading undergraduate and post graduate workshops in poetry practice and pedagogical creative theory.

• Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate (including PhD thesis level) poetry projects.  

• Development of a research and publication profile.

 • Active participation in departmental academic administration.

• Integration of community engagement with learning and teaching and/or research.

The successful candidate will be a published creative writer, and have proven themselves as an inspirational teacher. The position requires an ability to supervise at postgraduate level, and an ability to teach the writing of poetry and/or digital creativity would be a strong advantage.

For the position of Associate Professor, a doctoral degree is required.

• A PhD degree in Creative Writing or English Literature. 

• A strong foundation in Literatures in English so an MA in English Literature is required. 

• Demonstrable experience and strengths in teaching poetry practice and creative pedagogical theory. Also, literary texts (including in large lecture contexts) - at least four years in facilitating learning and teaching in higher education. 

• A research and publication record commensurate with the level of a University Associate Professor, that is to say, at least three, full-length published creative works, (a novel, short story collection, poetry collection.) Please note at least one of these must be a poetry collection. 

In addition, the candidate must also have published articles and essays in accredited academic journals.

• Experience of teaching poetry from undergraduate through to postgraduate level. 

• A successful track record of supervising Creative Writing including poetry at the postgraduate level, including PhD. 

• Experience in academic leadership and departmental administration (including course coordination and curriculum design).

• Proven research, teaching, and supervision interests and competence in the unique nature of practice-based methodologies, and the role of such forms of research in the Academy.

• A highly developed knowledge of historical and contemporary international and specifically South African literature, especially poetry. 

Added Advantage:

Experience of promoting students’ writing by organizing literary festivals, student-led literary Anthologies, conferences and other practical creative projects (including the use of social media).

Key competencies:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

• Presentation and facilitation skills

• Adaptability and the ability to operate in a diverse environment

• Student-focused approach

• Coaching and mentoring skills

• Planning and organising skills

 • Computer literacy and e-learning skills

• Knowledge and skills in the core strategic areas, namely learning and teaching, research and scholarship, community engagement as well as professional leadership