Maclaurin Goodfellow Chair in Theological and Religious Studies

Faculty of Arts

The University of Auckland is home to the leading and most comprehensive Arts Faculty in New Zealand. It is ranked 25 in the QS World University Rankings by Faculty for 2017, and ranked third in Australasia in the subject area of Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies.

At the heart of the Faculty of Arts is its commitment to preparing young New Zealanders to be global citizens and influencers, making it a hub of intellectual leadership. An understanding of the place of religion in our history and our contemporary culture is vital in both a national and international context.

The University of Auckland Theological and Religious Studies programme is distinctive in New Zealand, catering both to those students investigating religious subjects theologically as well as those seeking to make sense of religion as a rich and complex social phenomenon. It fosters a broad interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to study religion within a range of disciplines, including history and art history, philosophy, anthropology, Asian studies, sociology, classics, and Māori studies and Pacific studies.

A new Maclaurin Goodfellow Chair has been established to attract an outstanding academic with exceptional interpersonal skills to lead the programme in Theological and Religious Studies. In particular the holder of the chair will be a leader in the University of Auckland’s engagement with the increasing religious and cultural diversity of Auckland.

Auckland has the highest levels of religious affiliation in New Zealand, and the largest concentrations of most new migrant religious communities. We are looking for a candidate with research and teaching expertise in Christianity, who is able to address this religious and cultural pluralism, and to represent the field of theological and religious studies within the multidisciplinary and international context of the university.

Applicants will bring strategic acumen with the ability to lead and support innovative thinking and growth. They will demonstrate personal empathy and leadership commitment to working effectively with our diverse population, and recognise the imperative to support Māori and Pacific achievement and encourage partnerships that acknowledge the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Chair will have the knowledge and expertise to mentor and grow research excellence and generate external funding opportunities through the creation of strong relationships with key partners, nationally and internationally.

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading and largest university with over 42,000 students of whom 10,000 graduate annually in a wide range of professions and fields. The University has eight faculties and supports a number of key leading research centers and institutes. It is New Zealand’s pre-eminent research institution with the largest number of top-ranked researchers.

Auckland has recently been ranked third best city in Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey for the sixth consecutive year.

Applications should be submitted via the University website www.opportunities.auckland.ac.nz

Position Reference:     18687

Any queries or further information about the role, please contact:

Clare Litten, DDI:  09 923 9096, email: c.litten@auckland.ac.nz

Dr Kathrin Soehnel, email: k.soehnel@auckland.ac.nz

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTI, equity groups, parenting support and flexible work go to http://www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

 Applications close: 29 May 2017