[SIGCIS-Members] Postdoc in Social Studies of Information , deadline June 1

[Thomas Haigh]

Hello everyone,

This post doc call is for the information school at UWM, my own institution.
Note the proximity of the deadline. "Social Studies of Information" is a new
phrase I came up with to convey the idea of science studies perspectives
applied to information/communication, akin to the recent push for "Social
Studies of Finance." History is definitely part of this vision, but a
successful applicant would need to frame historical work within a broader
STS-style perspective and show an ability to teach something other than
history. 

Our Social Studies of Information Research Group is just now establishing
itself, so the postdoc would be able to play an active part in shaping the
concept, inviting speakers, setting up a website, etc. A first step in this
direction will be setting up a Social Studies of Information listserv --
look for an announcement of this soon.

Tom (Position description follows).


School of Information Studies
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The School of Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
is
accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Social Studies
of Information for the 2012-2013 academic year, to work closely with the
School's newly established Social Studies of Information Research Group
(SSIRG).

The postdoctoral fellowship is designed for recent PhDs who are interested
in research
and pedagogy in the historical, social and cultural dimensions of
information at its most fundamental levels, including information
institutions, practices, industries, technologies, disciplines, users,
policies, and ethics.

Along with continuing their own research agenda, the fellow will work
closely with
SSIRG-affiliated faculty, assist in coordination of SSIRG speaker series and
related
events, work with current PhD students, and participate in the academic and
intellectual community of the School at large. Opportunities will exist for
the fellow to collaborate with the Center for Information Policy Research
(CIPR), Center for 21st Century Studies (C21) and other related campus
centers and institutes.

The stipend for the fellowship will be $39,000 for a 12-month appointment
beginning in
August 20, 2012, with a $2,000 research and travel stipend. Fellows will be
expected to
teach one course each semester, with the opportunity to develop a course
focused on their own research area. Fellows are eligible for benefits. The
stipend for this position is subject to UW System policies.

Application Information:
Applicants must be scholars who are not yet tenured and who are no more than
3
years past receiving their PhD. Applicants must hold a PhD in information
studies or related discipline. Applicants who do not yet hold a PhD but
expect to have it by August 2012 will be asked to provide a letter from
their home institution corroborating the degree award schedule.

Verification of completion of degree will be required before the start date.

Application packages must include: letter explaining research agenda and
teaching
interests; a 1-page statement of situating their personal research within
the broader
interdisciplinary contexts of the social studies of information; a
curriculum vitae; a
writing sample; and 3 references.

Deadline for application is June 1, 2012. Candidates selected for online
interviews will be notified by June 15, 2012. Send all application materials
via email to Dr. Michael Zimmer (zimmerm at uwm.edu).

For more information, please contact Dr. Zimmer, and visit us at
http://www4.uwm.edu/sois/.
UWM is an AA/EEO Employer