Asst, Assoc or Full Professor: Sustainable Land Use, Conservation & Justice

Department: Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies (possible joint appointment in Geography, Planning and Landscape Architecture, Community and Environmental Sociology, or related programs)

Our Mission: We seek a scholar with a transdisciplinary approach and strong qualitative research skills based in geography, anthropology, political ecology, sociology or related fields whose research explores the intersections of land use, conservation and justice. We seek a colleague who will contribute to the Nelson Institute's commitment to advancing environmental stewardship and social justice through a focus on environmental and racial justice, decolonizing relationships with Native communities, and diversifying the constituency for environmental issues and action. Substantive areas of research may include topics such as: deforestation, reforestation, and forest transition; land-sharing agro-ecologies; ecosystem degradation and restoration; biodiversity protection; or watershed management. We encourage applications that consider Indigenous-led approaches to land management, approaches that engage diverse publics, global perspectives, and new approaches in social and/or humanistic study. Community-engaged or community-based research methods are strongly desired though the geographic focus and scale of the work, and its context, are open.

The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is serious about elevating underrepresented voices, promoting anti-racism, and modeling inclusive excellence at UW-Madison. As the most interdisciplinary academic unit on campus, we believe the diverse perspectives and experiences of our community are key to innovation and shared success.

- Develop a robust research program that examines pathways to sustainable and equitable land resource management and agricultural practices.
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses on topics such as land use, environmental or social assessment, food system sustainability, environmental humanities or political ecology.
- Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to bridge the gap between theory and practice in environmental management
- Engage with academic and wider publics to inform policy development and community engagement strategies.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Required
PhD in Geography, Anthropology, Planning and Landscape Architecture, Rural or Environmental Sociology, Environmental Studies, Environmental Humanities, or closely related fields, by the start date of the position

- Demonstrated expertise in research methods relevant to community-based research, qualitative methods, and/or human and socio-ecological systems.
- A strong potential record of scholarship, with publications in prestigious peer-reviewed journals, scholarly manuscripts, (or exhibitions) is essential
- Excellent teaching skills and experience in classroom settings with students from diverse social and economic backgrounds and multiple disciplines preferred.
- Commitment to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and public outreach.

We encourage applicants of any rank. Hiring rank will be commensurate with years of relevant experience. To be hired at the associate or full professor level, candidates must possess experience and scholarly credentials that meet the tenure standards of the UW-Madison Divisional Committee and of the Nelson Institute.

All requirements must be met by the position start date.

Full Time: 100%

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

**Courses will be taught in-person/onsite. This is not a fully remote position**.

Ongoing/Renewable

AUGUST 18, 2025

Negotiable
ACADEMIC (9 months)
Employees in this position can expect to receive generous benefits: insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits, and sick leave. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/)

This position is part of UW-Madison's Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) hiring initiative. RISE-EARTH, which stands for Environment: Adaptation, Resilience, Technology, and Humanity, will strengthen the university's ability to address challenges and opportunities related to the environment, translating discoveries into tangible benefits at home in Wisconsin and beyond. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW-Madison's strengths, RISE expands the University's successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions.

Over the next three academic years, UW-Madison will substantially increase current hiring levels, bringing 150 new RISE faculty to campus. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration. Further information regarding RISE can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/

NELSON INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: The Nelson Institute advances environmental education, research, decision-making and public engagement, fostering the next generation of leaders in sustainability and engaging in world-changing environmental scholarship. Nelson convenes scholars, students, and specialists from across all communities of knowledge and practice: artists and engineers, historians and chemists, sociologists and climatologists. Nelson is a catalyst of imaginative interdisciplinary research that combines skills and knowledge from the humanities, engineering, business and law, to the biological, physical, health and social sciences. We lead the UW Madison campus community in solving complex environmental problems by championing interdisciplinarity and upholding commitments to positive change.

UW-MADISON: The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a strong reputation as a research university and for producing research that improves people's lives. The University consistently ranks among the top 6 institutions in national research expenditures. In 2015, the University received a community engagement award from the Carnegie Foundation for its commitment to deeply engaging with local, regional, national, and global communities. It is a land-grant institution with an enrollment of about 43,000 students. The University provides excellent technology and library resources. Madison (pop. 243,000) is the state capital and combines the culture of a large urban area with the comfort of a small city. See http://wisc.edu

Located at the nexus of four beautiful lakes, Madison, the capital of the state of Wisconsin and home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, consistently ranks among the top American cities for its quality of life. With the headquarters of medical software company Epic, Microsoft's Jim Gray Systems Lab, Google, and several other technology giants in the area, as well as a strong startup ecosystem, Madison is also among the fastest growing technology hubs in the country.

Apply online at "Jobs at UW" (http://jobs.wisc.edu). Applications must be received through UW- Madison's online application system. Applications submitted outside of this system will not be considered. Click the "Apply Now" button to start the application process.

Applicants should submit the following application materials: 1. a current CV, 2. a detailed statement of interest addressing your relevant background for and interest in the position, and 3. one sample publication

The deadline for assuring full consideration is December 9, 2024, however the position will remain open and applications may be considered until the position is filled.

Finalists will be asked to provide reference letters from three references who are well-respected authorities in the field during the final steps of the hiring process.

Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application. The authorization form and a definition of 'misconduct' can be found here: https://hr.wisc.edu/institutional-reference-check/

Lili Gagliano
lili.gagliano@wisc.edu
608-890-4747
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Professor(FA020) or Associate Professor(FA030) or Assistant Professor(FA040)

A40-GAYLORD NELSON INST ENV ST/ENV ST/ACADEMIC PROGS

Faculty

306800-FA