The Professor of Environmental Humanities and/or Social Sciences is expected to exercise a special responsibility in providing leadership and in fostering excellence in research, teaching, professional activities and policy development in the academic discipline within the School, within the university and within the community, both scholarly and general.
A Level E academic is expected to contribute to ongoing teaching and curriculum development. They will supervise dissertations at all levels and publish high-quality research in leading outlets in accordance with Faculty and University research expectations. As a senior member of the School a professor is expected to offer significant service and mentorship in areas required by the School and University. As an academic leader a Level E academic will lead in grant applications and research, and establish external engagement with relevant industry, government and community organisations.
Specifically, the appointee to this position will be expected to provide leadership of the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub (MCCCRH)’s Malaysia Node. The MCCCRH’s researchers are based across Monash’s Australian, Malaysian and Indonesian campuses, with a Director based in the Caulfield campus in Melbourne. The Malaysia node investigates effective communication methods and broader societal contexts in order to understand and adapt to a changing climate and to implement climate solutions. It is dedicated to: Malaysian-focused research on public attitudes towards climate change; investigating the communication of science and solutions geared to Malaysia’s unique demography and geography; and producing evidence-based findings to infirm the nation’s climate communication initiatives.
The appointee will have a demonstrated record of excellence and leadership in research, grant success, and publications in the field of the environmental humanities and/or social sciences, with a focus on climate change. This can include, but is not limited to, climate change and: communication; politics and policy; film; literature; history; sociology; gender and justice; race and justice; ethics. Given the focus of the MCCCRH Malaysia node, research expertise and profile in the Malaysian or Southeast Asian context is highly desirable.
The appointee will also have a record of curriculum development; a record of curriculum development and innovation in relation to issues of climate change and/or environmental sustainability is desirable.
Reporting Line: The position reports to the Head of School
Supervisory responsibilities: As assigned by the Head of School
Financial delegation and/or budget responsibilities: As advised by the Head of School or Deputy Head of School (Research)
Key responsibilities
The key result areas of Research and Education, Leadership and Management and External Relationships are the basis for the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. The appointee will be expected to contribute to their discipline every effort will be made to assist with the development of personal and professional links with the appropriate groups of researchers.
A workload will be agreed annually with the Head of School in the Performance Development Plan process. Other duties may be required from time to time as directed by the Head of School.
- Lead curriculum development, innovation, enhancement and quality assurance in the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum.
- Lead the development and delivery of innovative and excellent teaching, learning and assessment experiences for undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Conduct world-class research, maintaining an active record of high-quality publication, grants, and PhD student supervision
- Lead the development and implementation of a research strategy for the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub’s Malaysia node, consistent with the wider Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub and School of Arts and Social Sciences, and consistent with the research priorities of Monash University Malaysia and Monash University
- Lead the development of strong collaborations with other universities and with government, industry and/or civil society to drive research impact and educational excellence
- Play an active leadership role in the management of education, research and/or administration in the School, including coaching, mentorship, leadership and effective performance management
Key selection criteria
- A doctoral qualification (PhD) or equivalent qualification
- A strong record of successful and innovative curriculum development, with possible emphasis on climate change and/or environmental sustainability
- An outstanding record of teaching, and educational leadership, which demonstrates a commitment to innovation and excellence
- An outstanding record in research leadership, including generating research income, leading major research projects and, where relevant, building research teams, with expertise in the environmental humanities and/or social sciences (especially climate change)
- A strong track record of peer-reviewed publication in high-quality outlets as appropriate in the relevant field or discipline
- Proven ability to promote the discipline internally within the university as well as externally, both nationally and internationally
- High level collaborative leadership skills that unite and inspire people creating a culture of high performance and collegiality, with capacity for executive administrative responsibilities
- Evidence of sustained relationships with industry, government agencies and professional bodies coupled with a vision for the future needs and development of climate communication research and education in Malaysia and internationally
