ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE OR FULL PROFESSOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN

ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE OR FULL PROFESSOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN 
visit apply.interfolio.com/98669

Home to one of the nation’s oldest Interior Design programs, the American School of Architecture and a DesignIntelligence-ranked Interior Design program, the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture invites applications for a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track or tenured faculty position beginning in August 2022. Please note that Gibbs College is also hiring two tenure-track, tenured or renewable term faculty members in Architecture apply.interfolio.com/97114.

We seek emerging or established scholars and/or community-engaged designers who are passionate about collaborating on research and design related to Gibbs College’s three broad strategic areas:

• Environmental/Social Resilience broadly construed (including, but not limited to, efficient/responsive environmental technologies, resilient fabrication and building technologies, building simulation and performance-based design, design for social & environmental justice, BIPOC design practices, affordable housing, design history and theory, inclusive design pedagogy, etc.), or
• Design Entrepreneurship and Real Estate broadly construed (including, but not limited to, real estate development and/or investment, equitable development, urban economics, design leadership, lean design and construction, etc.), or
• Well-being broadly construed (including, but not limited to, human-centered design, biophilic design, neuroscience and perception, design psychology, air quality, visualization, behavior mapping, etc.)

These strategic areas of focus reflect a renewed commitment by Gibbs College to improve equity and belonging in our communities through research, scholarship, teaching, and professional practice. Gibbs College of Architecture is committed to recruiting faculty and students from underrepresented identities and is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all. Candidates who share and contribute to this commitment are strongly encouraged to apply, including those from underrepresented identities and/or with experiences working with underrepresented communities. Please see “Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity + Belonging statement” to learn more (link).

Our Culture of Excellence 
The Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma, whose Interior Design program was established in 1916, supports a future in which all communities are designed for resiliency and empowered to maximize their social, economic, and environmental well-being. Gibbs College educates more than 650 students through undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs across seven academic units in Architecture, Construction Science, Environmental Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Regional and City Planning. Gibbs College is also home to the Institute for Quality Communities, a community engagement program which has completed more than 50 community projects in 28 Oklahoma counties. For more information about college programs, please visit gibbs.ou.edu.

About the University of Oklahoma
Established in 1890, the University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Carnegie R1 Institution (Very High Research Activity) known for its excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, including its service to the educational, cultural, economic and health-care needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses located in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. OU enrolls over 30,000 students and has more than 2,700 full-time faculty members in 21 colleges. In 2014, OU became the first public institution ever to rank #1 nationally in the recruitment of National Merit Scholars; today, it is home to over 600 National Merit Scholars. Its 277-acre Research Campus in Norman was named the No.1 research campus in the nation by the Association of Research Parks in 2013; in 2017, Architectural Digest named OU’s Bizzell Library among the 18 most stunning university libraries in the world. Learn more about OU’s aims and purpose in our “Lead On” strategic plan (2020).

Norman, Oklahoma, is a culturally rich and vibrant town located just south of Oklahoma City. With outstanding schools, amenities, and a low cost of living, Norman is a perennial contender in “Best Places to Live” rankings. Oklahoma City was recently named one of the “50 Best Places to Travel” by Travel + Leisure magazine. Visit ou.edu/facultyrecruitment for more information about what OU and the local communities have to offer.

Opportunities at Gibbs College 
The appointment offers the following exciting opportunities for one’s career path in higher education:

• To work with inspired leadership and nationally recognized faculty committed to creative and innovative approaches to design education
• To contribute to an interior design program recently ranked #7 by DesignIntelligence in the “Most Hired From” category
• To develop teaching and scholarly/creative collaborations across the College, including with an Environmental Design and an Urban Design program, and with accredited programs of Architecture (#17 by DesignIntelligence in the “Most Admired Architecture Schools” category), Construction Science, Landscape Architecture (#7 by DesignIntelligence in the “Most Hired From” category) and Regional & City Planning, as well as OU colleagues from other colleges
• To contribute to the interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Planning, Design, and Construction
• Regular internal grant and fellowship funding opportunities at the College and University levels, including research and community engagement grants, teaching grants, guest lecturer funding, and travel funding

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include:

• Advancing a rigorous research and/or creative activity agenda including collaborating across disciplines on research and outreach initiatives
• Teaching undergraduate and graduate interior design courses including lecture courses and design studios (three to four courses per year, including two studio courses) with opportunities for community engaged design projects
• Working with faculty and students in our CIDA-accredited design program to help maintain a curriculum consistent with program goals and related accreditation guidelines
• Offering mentored research and or practice opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students in the program
• University and community-based service; this service work is highly valued and critical to the University mission

Required Qualifications: 

• A minimum of an accredited professional degree in Interior Design (CIDA formerly FIDER) or Architecture (NAAB) in addition to a Master’s degree in Interior Design or a related field.  One degree must in Interior Design.
• NCIDQ certification
• Exceptional skills for teaching undergraduate and graduate interior design studio courses
• Emerging or established record of research productivity or evidence of contributing to a successful design practice
• Demonstrated ability to support a collegial and collaborative working environment in addition to possessing effective communication and inter-personal skills

Preferred Qualifications:
Individuals who truly value interdisciplinary collaborative teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and service are preferred. Additional preferences include:

• Evidence of innovative teaching strategies in undergraduate and graduate interior design studios including, but not limited to, foundation level design and graphics, commercial design, and community engaged design projects
• Expertise in one or more interior design specialty areas including but not limited to interior materials and finishes, design specifications, human behavior and designed environments, graphic design communication
• Expertise in one of Gibbs College’s broad strategic areas (see above for examples): Environmental/Social Resilience; Design Entrepreneurship and Real Estate; Wellbeing by Design
• Experience with cross-disciplinary teaching and service efforts in interior design or a related discipline
• Evidence of successful collaborations in teaching, scholarly/creative activity, or community engagement
• Record of peer-reviewed research, patents, competition awards, design awards or other publicly acknowledged design or community engagement work
• Ph.D. in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field
• Professional registration and/or licensure
• Preference may be given to those candidates who can articulate how they may address issues of equity and belonging through their teaching, research and/or service

How to Apply: 
Interested candidates should submit the following materials via Interfolio as soon as possible:

• Cover letter which highlights relevant experiences and accomplishments; candidates are encouraged to articulate how their teaching, research and/or service work may support equity and belonging
• Statement of interests in 1) teaching and 2) scholarly/creative activity and/or community engagement
• Full contact information from four professional references (please indicate if these are to remain confidential)
• Current curriculum vita
• Digital portfolio that demonstrates potential for success in teaching and scholarly/creative activity, community engagement, and service work; please limit the digital portfolio submission file size to less than 100MB and a max of 25 pages.
• All application materials may be submitted online through the Interfolio website at: apply.interfolio.com/98669.

Application review will begin January 10th and the search will remain open until the position is filled. Please submit questions by email to Marissa Ratcliff (ratcliff@ou.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 
The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to:  admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides.

Diversity Statement  
The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable and inclusive university community by recognizing each person’s unique contributions, background, and perspectives. The University of Oklahoma strives to cultivate a sense of belonging and emotional support for all, recognizing that fostering an inclusive environment for all is vital in the pursuit of academic and inclusive excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission.

Vaccination Statement  
The University of Oklahoma complies with the Federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all employees. All current and future employees must provide proof of full vaccination or request an accommodation for exemption from the Federal requirement. For detailed information regarding this requirement, visit https://hr.ou.edu/News/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.

Land Acknowledgement: 
The University of Oklahoma is on the traditional lands of the Caddo Nation and the Wichita & Affiliated Tribes. This land was also once part of the Muscogee Creek and Seminole nations. It also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Osage nations. Today, 39 federally recognized Tribal nations dwell in what is now the State of Oklahoma as a result of settler colonial policies designed to confine and forcefully assimilate Indigenous peoples. Read our full land acknowledgement (link).