Lecturer in Social Anthropology (Academic Education Pathway)

Job ID: 024930

Salary: £38,304 - £39,345 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Posted: 09-Jun-2021

Closing date: 02-Jul-2021

Business unit: Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Department: Theology & Religious Studies

Contact details: Dr Marat Shterin, marat.shterin@kcl.ac.uk

Strand Campus   Academic and teaching    

Job description
The Department of Theology and Religious Studies (TRS) welcomes applications for fixed-term position as lecturer in Social Anthropology (Academic Education Path, or AEP). This position is to cover for Dr Katherine Swancutt who is currently on Research Leave as Principal Investigator for her European Research Council Funded project ‘Cosmological Visionaries’.  The subject field is open, though we particularly welcome applicants who have interests in the global South, Asian or other non-Western societies, and/or in Black/minority ethnic experience within Europe or North America.  Social Anthropology, and in particular the Anthropology of Religion, is a key and thriving subject in the Theology and Religious Studies Department at King’s. Anthropology is central to both of the undergraduate programmes in the Department – BA in Religion, Politics & Society and BA Religion Philosophy & Ethics – as well as to its postgraduate MA in Religion. You will have the opportunity to use your previous research expertise and expand your teaching skills at both levels.  In addition to teaching in Social Anthropology, you will be able to contribute to dissertation supervision at undergraduate, postgraduate and, potentially, doctoral levels. You will gain experience in being a personal tutor to students and in having an administrative role within the Department. 
 
You will be asked to teach modules including but not limited to  
 
Undergraduate modules: 
4AAT1009 Introduction to the Anthropology of Religion
5AAT2014 Religion in Ethnographic Perspective
6AAT3801 Anthropological Approaches to Religious Innovation and Questions of Being
Postgraduate (Masters) modules:
7AATC825 The Anthropology of Ontology and Religious Innovation
or
7AATC826 Shamanism, Animism, Dreams and Religious Visions
 
This position is part of an Academic Education Path, which is designed to be particularly appropriate for early career academics who would like to advance their professional knowledge and skills by focusing on higher education. You will be expected to devote approximately 60% of your time to teaching, 20% to teaching-related research and 20% to administration.  
 
The Department of Theology and Religious Studies supports an inclusive culture and celebrates the diversity of our staff and students. We look forward to welcoming applicants from all cultures, sub-cultures and abilities, supported by flexible and varied working arrangements. We encourage applicants from all parts of the world and from people who may have been marginalized on any grounds covered by the UK Equality Act (2010).  
 
This post is a fixed–term 36 months full-time appointment.
This is a full-time - 100% full time equivalent – position.
 
Key responsibilities

• Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules in the Anthropology of Religion
• Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations
• Making a contribution to TRS’ and King’s research culture
• Personal tutorship of undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Fulfilling appropriate departmental administrative roles

Skills, knowledge and experience 

Essential criteria 

1. PhD in Social Anthropology or other similar areas of the Humanities and/or Social Sciences
2. Ability to engage students in insightful, empathetic, and intellectually stimulating thinking about religion from a social anthropological perspective  
3. Experience in teaching in the Anthropology of Religion or similar subjects
4. Achievement of high-quality research and publications in the Anthropology of Religion or similar subjects, in line with this level of appointment  
5. High awareness of and the ability to accommodate a diversity of identities and protected characteristics in academic environments, in particular in education  

Desirable criteria 

1. Interest and experience in issues of diversity and representation of social minorities
2. Knowledge of non-European languages
3. Either: Research and teaching interests which focus on the global South, Asian or other non-Western societies
4. Or: Engagement and research focusing on Black/minority ethnic experience within Europe or North America
5. Knowledge of post-colonial, feminist or queer theory 

Further information 
 
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held in July. The selection process will include a short presentation and an interview.
To assist in the shortlisting process, please make clear in your supporting statement how you meet each of the essential selection criteria and some of the desirable criteria for the post, using examples of your skills and experience.  You may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependants).
 
Please include, as part of your supporting statement, a reflection on your past experience or promotion of diversity and inclusion, broadly understood, and/or outline your ideas about how the Anthropology of Religion can be made more inclusive in teaching and research.