School Chair and Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology

School Chair and Professor
School of History and Sociology
Georgia Institute of Technology 

The School of History and Sociology (HSOC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology seeks a Chair to lead a dynamic and innovative faculty composed of sociologists and historians. HSOC is a uniquely interdisciplinary unit with an intellectual culture of cross-pollination between sociological and historical scholarship, as well as work in science and technology studies. The School is united around a vision of scholarship and teaching that elucidates processes of local, national, and global change, past and present. This mission includes promoting a broader understanding of how racial, gender, and class inequalities intersect, as well as how technology, science, and culture are intertwined.

One of six schools in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech, the School offers a Bachelor of Science degree in History, Technology, and Society (HTS), a research-intensive major that equips our graduates with the analytical techniques and communication skills necessary to understand and meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. In collaboration with other schools within the Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech, HSOC sponsors many innovative programs, including undergraduate Minors in Sports, Society, and Technology; Social Justice; Women, Science, and Technology; and Health, Medicine and Society. At the graduate level, HSOC offers master’s and doctoral degrees in the History and Sociology of Technology and Science. Our graduate students come from across the globe to gain expertise in these increasingly important fields of study— and have been exceptionally successful in gaining employment throughout the world, including in academe, government, nongovernmental organizations, and corporations.

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with great economic and cultural strengths. The Institute is a member of the University System of Georgia, the Georgia Research Alliance, and the Association of American Universities. 

Job Summary

The next School Chair will be expected to:

  • Envision, articulate, and advance the unit’s unique mission within Georgia Tech’s strategic plan;  
  • Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment that supports career development and advancement for staff and faculty;
  • Provide effective financial, academic, and personnel management.  
  • Actively build effective working relationships with constituencies within and outside of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and Georgia Tech;
  • Augment the school’s financial resources through philanthropic fundraising while aiding faculty’s pursuit of sponsored projects;  
  • Work effectively in a multidisciplinary setting and bridge disciplinary boundaries to facilitate and support cross-disciplinary research and teaching efforts where possible.

For additional information about HSOC as well as expected leadership and administrative management responsibilities for the position, please consult the detailed profile available at https://iac.gatech.edu/about/hsoc-chair-search.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Sociology or History or a related field, and a scholarly record commensurate with the status of full professor in the School of History and Sociology at Georgia Tech. 

Preferred Qualifications

The qualities of the successful candidate for Chair include:

  • A strong, proactive commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • A firm dedication to faculty governance and due process;
  • A mindset directed toward cultivating collegiality and collaboration, and modeling empathy, integrity, and transparency;
  • A keen interest in enhancing HSOC’s lively and dynamic scholarly environment, from faculty research to bolstering undergraduate and graduate curricula;
  • A commitment to fostering a climate that supports the mental health and wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff;
  • Demonstrated leadership in higher education, especially within complex organizations.

Required Documents to Attach

To apply, candidates should submit the following through Georgia’s Tech Careers website (https://hr.gatech.edu/employment/careers) – Job ID 246964: 

  1. a letter of application addressing how their background and experience can advance HSOC’s existing strengths, speaking to the responsibilities in the bullet points above. In addition, the letter of application should provide a clear vision of the applicant’s leadership philosophy; commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; and approach to interdisciplinary collaboration; 
  2. a curriculum vitae; 
  3. the names, positions, and contact information of three to five references who will be contacted only with the candidate’s approval. Please include a brief statement of your relationship to each reference. 

Apply Before Date

Candidates are encouraged to apply by October 1, 2022, for optimal consideration; however, the search will continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information

Nominations for the position may be directed to Dr. Adam Stulberg, search committee chair; Sam Nunn Chair and Professor, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs (adam.stulberg@inta.gatech.edu). Questions about the application process should be directed to William Jimerson, director of human resources, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts (wjimerson3@gatech.edu). 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests.

Other Information

HSOC believes diversity is foundational to creating the most intellectually vibrant and successful academic communities. Therefore, we are especially interested in applicants who will work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, including women, those who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, from minority ethnic groups, identify with LGBTQIA+ communities, have disabilities, from lower income backgrounds, and/or first-generation college graduates. Women and members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.