Ethel Louise Armstrong Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Ethel Louise Armstrong Post-Doctoral Fellowship

The School of Disability Studies

Ryerson University's School of Disability Studies, established in 1999, was the first in Canada to offer a degree education that is strongly rooted in a disability studies perspective. This part-time degree completion program targets mature student learners with previous education and experience in disability–related fields. We offer a distinctive undergraduate program that illuminates the extent to which the lives of disabled people are shaped by patterns of injustice, exclusion, discrimination and the rule of social, cultural and aesthetic 'norms'. Put another way, Ryerson University's School of Disability Studies does not teach about disability, but rather teaches about social and material worlds, beginning from disability.

Persons with disabilities face significant disadvantages as a result of social arrangements and societal barriers. A disproportionate percentage of disabled women in particular live in poverty, cannot access services available to other Canadians, are unemployed and experience high rates of violence.hundred   There is extensive research to demonstrate that despite the dramatic changes in women’s work and family roles over the past decades, disabled women’s participation in the labour market has been hindered by barriers to completing post secondary education, acquiring academic credentials and seeking employment.  Women with disabilities face an employment rate that is approximately 1/3 less than that of non-disabled women and about 15% less than that of men with disabilities. Women with disabilities are 40% more likely than men with disabilities to be outside the labour force. Statistics Canada (2008) reports that when employed, the average income of women with disabilities ($24,835) falls below that of non-disabled women ($28,943), whose average employment income in turn falls significantly below that of men with disabilities ($32,925). These disadvantages are reflected in further findings that suggest that more disabled working-age women live in households with incomes below the poverty line.

ELA Post Doctoral Fellowship

To alleviate the economic hardship and disadvantage faced by women with disabilities as a result of social arrangements and societal barriers, the Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation has made it possible for the School of Disability Studies to establish a two-year post doctoral fellowship to support the scholarly contributions of a disabled woman. The fellowship seeks to bring to Ryerson’s School of Disability Studies a disabled woman who has graduated in the past five (5) years from any discipline that will advance the interdisciplinary scholarship related to Disability Studies.

The incumbent will be based in the School of Disability Studies and will be expected to:

·        enhance and expand the interdisciplinary nature of the School; 

·        seek opportunities for collaborative research and publication, and

·        deliver an annual public lecture on her research.

The fellowship awards a starting salary of $45,000 plus benefits.

Starting date: October 1, 2011 though some flexibility may be negotiated.

Applications:

To apply for this fellowship, please send by May 1, 2011

1)      A letter of application identifying yourself as a disabled woman;

2)      A program of study demonstrating how your research could advance interdisciplinary scholarship related to Disability Studies;

3)      A statement indicating opportunities for collaborative research and publication within your own discipline as well as more broadly within the academic community of Ryerson University;

4)      A writing sample

Send to:

Dr Melanie Panitch,

Director School of Disability Studies 

Ryerson University

350 Victoria Street,

Toronto, ON M5B 2K4

mpanitch@ryerson.ca

Ph: 416 979 5000 ext6128

Fax 416 979-5209

Ryerson University

Located in the heart of Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in the country, Ryerson University is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. The University is known for innovative programs built on the integration of theoretical and practically oriented learning. Our undergraduate and graduate programs are distinguished by a professionally focused curriculum and strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities. Ryerson is also a leader in adult learning, with the largest university-based continuing education school in Canada. Ryerson University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and its scholarship.

Ryerson University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. All qualified candidates, including international candidates are encouraged to apply but applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

For further information on Ryerson University, please visit http://www.ryerson.ca/.

For further information on the School of Disability Studies, please visit http://www.ryerson.ca/ds/.