Posted: 24-Oct-23

Location: Storrs Campus

Salary: Open

Internal Number: 497943

OPEN TO INTERNAL UCONN AND UCONN HEALTH FACULTY ONLY - Rank Open (Professor or Associate Professor)

INTRODUCTION

In response to recommendations made by the President's Task Force on Combating Sexual Violence and Supporting Our Students , the Office of the Provost spearheaded a working group to develop the structure and mission of a new University-wide research center focused on sexual violence prevention on college campuses. That working group has since developed a proposal for the new UConn Center for Research on Sexual Violence and Empowerment and has outlined the mission and key metrics for Center operations. The Center itself will be housed within the Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP). It will leverage InCHIP's existing resources, staff, and structure as a University-wide multidisciplinary and collaboration-focused research institute to orchestrate the Center's activities. InCHIP is now seeking applications for the inaugural director of the UConn Center for Research on Sexual Violence and Empowerment.

The mission of this new center is to produce interdisciplinary research on the development of healthy relationships and sexual pleasure without violence, judgment, or shame, and to encourage a culture that embraces diversity across sexual identities. The Center will facilitate interdisciplinary research on the root causes and impacts of sexual and gender-based violence within the School, University, and beyond. The formation of this new Center stems in part from student activism in response to distress regarding campus reactions to sexual assault and to the broader need to address the social-ecological environment wherein violence occurs. For this reason, it will be imperative that any future director engage with students as direct stakeholders and collaborators. 

The Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP) will serve as the Center's administrative home. InCHIP is a University-wide research institute focused on leveraging interdisciplinary and multi-level approaches to improve human health. InCHIP has a long history of sexual health research since its inception as an HIV-focused research center in 2002. Over the past 20 years, InCHIP has expanded from a psychology and HIV-focused research center to a multidisciplinary university-wide research institute with a broad health focus. InCHIP currently houses four research units (Center for Advancing, Research, Methods, and Scholarship for Gun Injury Prevention; Center for mHealth and Social Media; Collaboratory on School and Child Health; Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health) and supports well over 100 principal investigators from across the university. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Establish Structure for UConn's Center for Research on Sexual Violence and Empowerment: 

During the nascent period of the Center, much of the Center Director's duties will involve spearheading the development of Center processes, submitting the Center proposal, and devising markers of success.

The Center Director will also be expected to : 

• Establish a core group of faculty working in areas relevant to sexual violence. Engage faculty across academic departments to establish research working group(s) and a schedule for semi-annual meetings.  
• Establish a UConn student advisory committee. Solicit applications from students (across years, campuses, and residence status) to serve in semester-long advisory roles, with opportunities for continuation.
• Establish Metrics of Success. The Center Director will be expected to develop measurable, mission-aligned, and discrete markers of success for the Center. The success of the Center will largely be measured via research productivity, collaboration development, dissemination practices, and advocacy. Below are examples of domains of center activities as they are described in the center proposal: 

Research Activities 

• Presentations (local, regional, and national) inclusive of sexual violence and empowerment work.
• Scholarly publications in relevant journals.
• Extramural grant applications that support Center research initiatives.

Cross-Campus Collaborations 

• Establish partnerships with relevant groups across UConn and UConn Health including but not limited to UConn Women's Center; Center for Community Safety, Policing, and Inequity; and the Collaboratory on School and Child Health. 
• Engage key stakeholders at multiple UConn Campuses (Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, Storrs, Waterbury, and UConn Health) to determine needs and interests in developing partnerships to address key stakeholders' research priorities and needs at these campuses. 
• Connect with First Year Experience (FYE), Protect Our Pack, and Pack Leaders to form synergies and shared goals with the Center.

Dissemination and Promotion of Center Activities and Research

• Work with InCHIP staff to develop website and social media outreach platforms for providing information on projects, research findings, and resources for students interested in sexual violence and empowerment research. 
• Work with UConn Communications (e.g., InCHIP communications staff) to participate in press coverage in mainstream media, popular press, podcasts, etc. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ph.D. or equivalent in the social or behavioral sciences, or other related discipline.
• Candidates must hold a UConn or UConn Health faculty position and should be tenured at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• Demonstrated excellence in scholarship and professional activities related to sexual violence and/or sexual empowerment.
• The Director will bring a strong grasp of current and emerging challenges in the field, a vision for future Center goals, and an ability to inspire and foster effective collaborations.
• A strong record of securing federal and other extramural funding and of fostering research productivity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills appropriate to sustaining a mutually respectful environment and delivering quality academic programs within an inclusive work environment.
• Strong commitment to enhancing the diversity and inclusion of students, faculty, and staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Demonstrated program of research in sexual violence some of which includes a focus on the context of college campuses.
• Demonstrated engagement and rapport with stakeholders, industry, and/or donors.
• Prior experience suited to leadership of a research center engaged in research and service activities at a major Land Grant University.
• Experience supervising undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other research staff as part of research.

APPOINTMENT TERMS 

The Director position will hold a 10-month appointment. This position includes the current 9-month faculty base salary, an additional one-month supplement for the responsibilities as Director, and one-course release per year. This position will begin as a three-year term with a start date of Spring 2024. The primary work location will be at the Storrs campus. 

TO APPLY 

Submit the following application materials:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter that includes a vision statement for the Center (e.g., plans for future research and student engagement; center activities; center evaluation, and markers of success). The statement should include an overview of the candidate's commitment to diversity as it relates to center activities.
• Letter of Support from Department Head or Dean that articulates their support of the candidate's application.
• Contact information for three (3) letters of reference. References will not be contacted without notification of the candidate.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee's unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

 The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.

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