The three assistant/associate professors will form the backbone of Åbo Akademi University’s Minority Studies research profile, the recent expansion of which is based on a major grant from the Academy of Finland. The grant foresees the establishment of three new assistant/associate tenure track professorships which, after successful attainment of individually set goals, will lead to full professorships. At the same time, Åbo Akademi University is recruiting visiting professors who will support and further strengthen the profile.

The Minority Studies profile aims at shaping and developing current strengths within the fields of social sciences and humanities at Åbo Akademi University into a leading centre for minority studies and research. Cultural, political and religious differences together with issues related to in-group and out-group positions pose major challenges to societal cohesion and peace in both European and non-European societies. For instance, current global development is marked by an increasing polarisation of values associated with explicit xenophobic and racist attitudes but also radicalising tendencies. This calls for the prevention of political, cultural and religious violence, prejudices and negative attitudes and marginalization. There is also a strong need to identify resources for empowerment and promotion of human rights.

With reference to the above Åbo Akademi University’s Minority Studies profile will focus on interdisciplinary minority research with the capacity to recognize and comprehend the complexities involved in the production and construction of minority positions and identities and related issues. This profile is directly connected to the strategic mission of Åbo Akademi University as a university for the Swedish speaking language and cultural minority in Finland. Current research on minorities includes language and culture encounters, minorities as part of past nation building and present political mobilization, minority rights and legislation, as well as intersections of ethnic and gender categorizations. Further focus areas are language learning, bilingualism as well as sexual and gender minorities. The appointed applicants have the opportunity to look at minority issues at different levels of analysis drawing upon a broad understanding of minority research. This recruitment will build on and widen this research profile starting from ÅAU’s current research strengths in the following three thematic areas: Language learning and bilingualism, Equal rights, discrimination & democracy and Minority identities & minority cultures.

Job description

The appointed assistant/associate professors will be expected to work together with the coordination of Åbo Akademi University’s Minority Studies profile and to explore possibilities for joint interdisciplinary research projects. Administratively, the appointees will be members of the faculty and department that most closely fit with their research and teaching profile. They are, in combination with other measures, expected to position Åbo Akademi University as an internationally leading institution in interdisciplinary cutting-edge research in the area of Minority Studies.

The academic discipline of the applicants for the above positions is not pre-defined and candidates with interdisciplinary profiles are encouraged to apply. Information about the positions and the qualifications for the positions as well as information about the field of research and teaching can be found in the appointment plan .

In order to have a successful start with their work the persons appointed to the positions will have the support from a Supervisory Committee consisting of the Deans for the above-mentioned faculties as well as the Vice-Rector for Research. Also a Societal Advicory Board will be constituted to assist the appointees. The appointed persons will each receive a starting grant of 40 000 euro to be used for the employment of a doctoral student or to otherwise support their research.

International applicants are especially encouraged to apply. Åbo Akademi University will provide support for non-Finnish candidates in being able to teach in Swedish within some years after commencing their appointments.