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Instructional Designer/Researcher

Department: School of Disability Studies
Position supervisor: Dr. Esther Ignagni
Contract length: May 20, 2024 - Aug 1, 2024
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: MAC term (ungraded)
Rate of pay: $55/hour

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca, check out @TorontoMet (external link) , @TorontoMetHR (external link)  and @ECItorontomet (external link)  on Twitter, and visit our LinkedIn company page (external link) .

The opportunity

The instructional designer/researcher will play a pivotal role in the project, Enabling Accessible Healthcare Delivery, led by Dr. Esther Ignagni, School of Disability Studies, and Heather Willis, OVPECI. In collaboration with Ontario disability networks, the team will develop, pilot, and disseminate a new post-secondary curriculum that foregrounds the expertise of disabled people themselves in educating future healthcare professionals. As part of the curriculum, the team will develop Open Educational Resources (OERs) to serve as lasting digital modules that can be incorporated into a variety of healthcare and professional development trainings. The project will contribute to more accessible healthcare delivery by centering disability experience in healthcare education and by introducing students to the consequences of everyday ableism and inaccessibility on disabled people's lives.The instructional designer/researcher will work closely with the project leads to research, design, create and refine the curriculum including digital OERs. Please note, this position may be followed by a separate contract to oversee and evaluate the pilot course delivery for curriculum refinement. Funding for this project is provided by the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility.

Responsibilities:

  • Work with the project team to define curriculum learning outcomes, activities, and assessments;
  • Work with research assistant to conduct comprehensive research for course content development;
  • Prepare a detailed curriculum outline for review by the advisory committee;
  • Develop course materials, including collaborative slides, lecture notes, instructional guides, and curated links to external resources;
  • Coordinate with the copy editor, research assistant, and translator to finalize all course text;
  • Liaise with the multimedia team, including videographers, video editor, sound engineer, graphic designer, captioner, and translator, to determine multimedia components of digital OER;
  • Publish all course content and OER on an open-access platform such as Pressbooks

Qualifications

Key qualifications required:

  • Master’s degree in a related field;
  • Experience with curriculum and/or course design with an emphasis on critical pedagogy and accessibility;
  • Knowledge of disability, mad and/or Deaf studies as an expansive, intersectional field of critical inquiry;
  • University-level teaching experience using multiple modalities including accessibility practices;
  • Project management skills, demonstrating the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively;
  • Excellent pedagogical writing and communication skills, with a focus on clarity and inclusivity.
  • Ability to take initiative and work effectively independently and in teams;
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate with and coordinate multiple partners/team members on project objectives, priorities, and deadlines;
  • Technical expertise or familiarity with open-access textbook platforms, with knowledge of H5P as a valuable asset.

How to apply

To apply, please email Tali Cherniawsky, Disability Publics Lab Coordinator (avital.cherniawsky@torontomu.ca) with the subject heading “EAHD Instructional Designer/Researcher” and include a cover letter, copy of your resume/CV, and contact information for two references. The cover letter should explain how candidates meet the key position requirements, with examples provided. Please address the cover letter to Dr. Esther Ignagni.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview or further information.

These roles will be advertised until all positions are filled. We will begin reviewing applications on May 3, 2024 and then will review applications on a rolling basis.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

  • We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
  • Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
  • We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process,please reach out to Human Resources: 
  • All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.