Teaching Professor in Global Futures

Description

The Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures (SCF) in the Rob Walton College of Global Futures (CGF) at Arizona State University invites applications for one full-time, benefit-eligible, academic year (9-month) Teaching Professor position with an anticipated start in Fall 2026.

The Rob Walton College of Global Futures is the academic core of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at ASU, which is working to shape a future in which well-being is attainable for all life on the planet. Learn more about the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at  https://globalfutures.asu.edu/  and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures at https://collegeofglobalfutures.asu.edu/.

This appointment is non-tenure track and will be made at the rank of Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor or full Teaching Professor, commensurate with the candidate’s experience and accomplishments. This appointment is for one academic year, and subsequent academic year renewals are contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of resources, and the needs of the college.

Primary responsibility initially is the teaching of in person and online versions of Exploring Global Futures, an introductory undergraduate course that examines major global sustainability challenges and emerging solutions across interconnected systems including climate, oceans, food, cities, and critical resources. The course emphasizes systems thinking, interdisciplinary analysis, and collaborative problem-solving through virtual reality and other innovative experiences, culminating in a team-based design challenge.

In addition, the instructor will create and teach online and in person versions of related courses and facilitate virtual reality experiences for other faculty and may teach a course to facilitate student-led projects relating to global and local challenges.

While the successful candidate could potentially teach up to eight courses per academic year, the position will begin with a lower teaching load to enable leadership in course and curriculum development. Courses will be taught both as online modality and on the Tempe campus.

Applicants should have experience in college- or university-level teaching and student mentoring and be able to teach a systems-based approach to urgent challenges of planetary health to Global Futures majors, as well as to non-major students taking these classes to meet ASU’s General Education Sustainability Requirement.

Successful candidates will contribute heavily to the learning space of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, including teaching general studies sustainability courses to students with a wide array of interests and majors. Therefore, candidates with a passion for clearly communicating to the general public and a capacity for dynamic and compelling pedagogy are highly encouraged to apply.

We especially seek candidates who have a compelling vision for teaching and student mentoring that aligns with the mission of ASU’s Charter for a New American University.

Essential Functions/Duties

• Partner with instructional design staff to create high quality online versions of existing courses.
• Deliver courses in person and online through lectures, discussions, active learning activities as well as facilitation of virtual reality experiences.
• Facilitate student engagement with interdisciplinary topics including climate futures, ocean futures, food futures, urban futures, planning, etc.
• Guide students through a team-based design challenge focused on developing solutions to global sustainability challenges.
• Provide timely feedback and assessment of student assignments and projects.
• Coordinate with teaching assistants or instructional staff when applicable.
• Contribute to maintaining course quality, alignment with learning outcomes, and continuous improvement of the curriculum.
• Facilitate virtual reality experiences for other faculty.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as sustainability science, environmental science or studies, earth system science, oceanography, geography, climate science, urban sustainability, natural resource management, global futures studies, or a closely related interdisciplinary field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of global environmental change and challenges, including the interactions between human systems and Earth systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific and sustainability concepts to introductory-level undergraduate students, including non-majors.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to learn new content and new educational approaches. 

Teaching Assistant Professor

• Evidence of at least one year of college or university teaching experience at the undergraduate level or equivalent (e.g., instructor of record, lecturer, graduate teaching assistant, facilitator of structured learning experiences).

Teaching Associate Professor

In addition to the required qualifications for appointment at the Teaching Assistant Professor stated above, the successful candidate in this rank should provide:

• Evidence of at least five (5) years of college- or university-level teaching
• Demonstrated record of teaching competence as evidenced by teaching evaluations, course development, and innovative teaching practices
• Evidence of successful mentoring, both in formal (e.g., committees) and informal settings
• Evidence of contributions in curriculum development, programmatic responsibilities, and departmental service responsibilities such as faculty committees

Teaching Professor (Full)

In addition to the required qualifications for appointment at the Teaching Assistant Professor stated above, the successful candidate in this rank should provide:

• Evidence of at least seven (7) years of college- or university-level teaching
• Demonstrated record of teaching competence as evidenced by teaching evaluations, course development, and innovative teaching practices
• Evidence of successful mentoring, both in formal (e.g., committees) and informal settings
• Evidence of leadership in curriculum development, programmatic responsibilities, and departmental service responsibilities such as faculty committees

Desired Qualifications (All Ranks)

• PhD or terminal degree in sustainability science, environmental science, ocean science, geography, urban systems, or a related interdisciplinary field.
• Demonstrated experience integrating systems thinking, futures thinking, or sustainability solutions frameworks into teaching or research.
• Demonstrated professional experience in fields aligned with global futures, such as sustainability, complex systems, innovation, conservation, or ocean futures, with the ability to apply that experience to forward-looking academic or programmatic initiatives
• Expertise in one or more topical areas addressed in global futures, such as:
• Climate and water systems
• Ocean and coral reef ecosystems
• Sustainable food systems
• Urban sustainability and resilient cities
• Critical minerals, energy, water or other resource systems
• Experience with teaching platforms, i.e. Canvas.
• Experience with technology-enhanced learning environments, such as virtual reality, games, simulations, interactive digital tools, or immersive learning platforms.
• Experience implementing team-based design projects, project-based learning, or challenge-based learning.
• Ability to incorporate global perspectives, ethical considerations, and diverse knowledge systems (including Indigenous and community-based knowledge) into sustainability education.
• Experience teaching large-enrollment or interdisciplinary gateway courses.

Application Instructions

Only electronic applications submitted via Interfolio will be accepted. The application deadline is June 24, 2026. If not filled, reviews will occur every two weeks thereafter until the search is closed. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Applicants must submit:

1. A letter of interest that addresses the above criteria
2. A Curriculum Vitae
3. A teaching and mentoring statement that communicates, with examples, the ways you aspire to teaching excellence in the context of the ASU Charter (up to 1000 words)
4. The name, phone number, and e-mail address of three references 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

A background check is required for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.

 

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