Dean, Faculty of Humanities

McMaster University is actively seeking a collaborative and strategic academic leader to serve as their next Dean, Faculty of Humanities. Joining the University at a time of renewed institutional momentum, the next Dean will have the opportunity to help define the next chapter of a Faculty known for its scholarly excellence, creative inquiry, and societal impact.

Ranked among the top 150 universities globally, through its cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centred university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being in its community and around the world. Known internationally for excellence in teaching, learning, innovation, and creativity, McMaster prepares students to be engaged, thoughtful citizens equipped to make a positive impact.

As a member of Canada’s U15 group, McMaster boasts a research income of $423 million and is recognized for pioneering problem-based learning and educational innovation. With six Faculties including Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences, McMaster fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to solve complex global challenges. McMaster is the only Canadian member of Universitas 21, a prestigious global network of research-intensive universities from 17 countries.

Its research ecosystem includes McMaster Innovation Park, Mills Memorial Library, the Bertrand Russell Archives and Russell Research Centre, and distinguished rare books collections, providing scholars and researchers with access to internationally significant foundations for textual scholarship, intellectual history, archival discovery, and interdisciplinary inquiry.

The Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University is home to more than 100 full-time faculty members and over 3,000 undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students from across Canada and around the world. The Faculty brings together a diverse range of disciplines through its 10 academic units: the School of the Arts, Communication Studies & Media Arts, English & Cultural Studies, French, Gender & Social Justice, Greek & Roman Studies, History, Linguistics & Languages, Global Peace & Social Justice, and Philosophy.

Faculty members are internationally recognized teachers, researchers, artists, leaders, and lifelong learners whose work is supported by world-class research institutes, centres, laboratories, studios, and performance spaces that foster interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative scholarship, research creation, and creative activity. Known for its interdisciplinary programs, experiential learning opportunities, and commitment to community engagement, the Faculty advances critical understanding of human experience, culture, language, history, justice, and the arts while preparing students to contribute meaningfully to society and a rapidly changing world.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Dean, Faculty of Humanities is the academic, administrative, and community leader of the Faculty. As the senior officer of the Faculty, the Dean provides academic leadership and strategic direction, fostering unity and cooperation among faculty, staff, and community members while building and sustaining a culture that supports academic, research, and operational excellence. The Dean is also responsible for strengthening cohesion across the Faculty’s departments and encouraging, coordinating, and aligning the initiatives and activities of Humanities departments and programs, to ensure that the Faculty functions effectively and harmoniously.

The Dean also provides sound fiscal oversight, ensuring the Faculty’s budget is managed…