Associate Professor In The Department Of Primary and Early Childhood Education at Rhodes University

The Department

The Rhodes University Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education (PECE) is peopled by staff and students committed to educational and socio-economic redress and transformation within the challenging post-colonial context of South Africa and our continent. Integral to these ideals are our commitment to supporting multilingualism, literacy and numeracy, interdisciplinarity, extensive subject knowledge inclusive of indigenous and other situated knowledges, creative and innovative classroom pedagogies (such as play-based and experiential learning), and critical assessment practices.

We strive to develop competent, creative and reflexive Foundation Phase teachers who understand and can adapt their teaching for different learning contexts. Our expanding programmes in leadership and management, creative arts, mathematics education, multilingualism, STEAM Education and Education for Sustainable Development; lead and contribute to international research programmes and attract high quality researchers from around Africa.

These researchers explore enabling teaching and learning processes and practice engaged research, in which they develop scholarly solutions for contextually relevant education challenges, and address local and global sustainability education needs. Our postgraduate scholars are supported by a long-standing series of research design courses, doctoral weeks and research schools.

Main Objectives

All academics are responsible for disseminating knowledge (teaching and learning), creating knowledge (research), community engagement, and professional involvement in their field beyond the university, recognizing differences in executing these responsibilities within the various departments and Faculties.  Academics are also expected to assume administrative, management, and/or leadership duties at the departmental, Faculty, and/or University level.

In addition, a Professor and Associate Professor are to provide academic leadership in the following areas: teaching and learning, research, professional involvement in the field, and community engagement, as well as to contribute towards the institution's governance. This leadership contribution of the Professor should be evidenced at the departmental, Faculty and institutional levels.

The Requirements
 A PhD in Education with extensive research and at least six years of primary teacher education experience.

• Extensive teaching and research experience in one of the following: Mathematics Education, Life Skills Education, or Language Education (IsiXhosa).
• Teaching experience in one of the following areas: Education Studies, Psychology in Education, Sociology in Education, Philosophy in Education, Curriculum, and Pedagogy.
• At least two years of school teaching experience.
• Research and experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Education would be advantageous.
• Extensive research supervision of postgraduate degrees required, preferably up to PhD Level.
• National and emerging international research profile in primary education.
• Track record of administration, management, and/or leadership roles.