Department Chair, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The University of Delaware invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. The Department seeks a Chair with a demonstrated capacity for leadership as well as a strong record of scholarship and teaching. The selected candidate will hold a Ph.D. in sociology, criminal justice/criminology, or a related social science discipline, and will have an academic record that is appropriate for appointment at the rank of Full Professor with tenure. A general policy guide for Department Chairs, including duties and responsibilities, can be found at https://www1.udel.edu/provost/chr-ad/.

SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT UD: The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware (https://www.soc.udel.edu) is within the College of Arts and Sciences. The Department offers bachelors degrees in sociology and criminal justice, and masters and doctoral degrees in sociology and criminology. While the department has degree programs in both sociology and criminology and a multidisciplinary faculty, it proudly and successfully operates as a unified entity in which there is a strong culture of shared governance. The department is committed to rigorous interdisciplinary teaching and research as well as scholarship that values and advances the public good. The department has specialized interests in Race, Gender, Criminology, Law and Society, Health, Theory, and Disasters and the Environment, and the faculty have expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research design and methodologies. Many faculty members have relationships or joint appointments with other academic units across campus, including Africana Studies, Women and Gender Studies, the Center for the Study of Diversity, and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration. Moreover, the department includes the Center for Drug and Health Studies, and department faculty are affiliated with such centers as the Disaster Research Center and the Center for the Study and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence. Extramural research support in the department is among the highest in the College’s social sciences portfolio, with faculty pursuing active and productive research programs.

The department is currently home to 28 full-time faculty members, about 775 undergraduate majors in sociology and criminal justice, and 45 students in the graduate programs. Graduates of the undergraduate programs often go on to pursue graduate school or law school at highly regarded universities. The department’s doctoral program in Criminology consistently ranks in the top degree programs in the nation. Excellence in teaching and research is intrinsically related to fundamental faculty and departmental commitments to values of diversity, equality, inclusivity, and representation in all campus-wide and community work with students, staff, faculty, and Delaware residents.

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware (https://www.cas.udel.edu) offers exceptional educational experiences including integrated instruction, research and public engagement. With 24 academic departments and more than 25 centers, programs and institutes, the College serves close to 7,000 undergraduate students and over 1,000 graduate students with CAS majors, but also every single University student through foundational course work. The College’s 600 faculty members emphasize the enduring value of an arts and science education and share a deep commitment to excellence in scholarship and all forms of creative and intellectual expression. The College has departments in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, and features outstanding research and teaching facilities. Faculty and staff encourage and support innovative interdisciplinary collaborations and students engage local, national and global audiences through research and creative activity. With annual research expenditures of approximately $38 million and growing, the College currently houses several large, interdisciplinary grants with significant funding from the NIH and NSF.

The University of Delaware is one of the nation’s oldest institutions of higher education, combining tradition and innovation. The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the experience of its employees and in supporting its academic mission. We are committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds, and we strongly encourage applications from educators from under-represented groups. UD provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The University is aware that attracting and retaining exceptional faculty often depends on meeting the needs of two careers and therefore implements policies that contribute to work-life balance, including dual-career services (https://www.udel.edu/content/dam/udelImages/human-resources/Careers/threefold_dualcareer.pdf).

TO APPLY: Review of applications will begin on November 28, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should upload a cover letter, a current CV, and contact information for three references. Letters of reference and additional material will be requested of the semi-finalists. For further information, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Peter Benson, at pbenson@udel.edu. All possible discretion will be exercised to maintain the privacy of applicants through the search process.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Compensation packages are highly competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The UD benefits package is one of the best in the nation.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html.