Call for Faculty Representatives on WUN GCSG

The World Universities Network (WUN) recently established a coherent theme (‘Sustainable Recovery’) as a framework for longer-term initiatives, and the WUN is considering how it can best discharge its role in connecting initiatives pursued by the four global challenge groups. Within the theme of Sustainable Recovery / Recovering Sustainability ‘inequality’ may be a thread that connects them.

Initiatives within each Global Challenge are orchestrated by a Steering Group comprised of representatives from member universities. This year, the University will appoint one UR Representative to each Global Challenge Steering Group and is calling on all interested faculty to apply.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2021
Term: 2 years, renewable for 1 additional year

Online Application Nominate a Colleague

The four Steering Groups are at different stages in refining their plans:

• Global Higher Education and Research: considering two initiatives, focused on Reimagining Sustainability Through Educational Innovation, and Reducing Inequalities.
• Public Health: converging on an initiative on Global Health Equity in a Post-Covid World. Among several potential projects within this theme, one would have a special focus on the distribution of and access to COVID vaccines.
• Responding to Climate Change: potential project focus areas include the disproportionate effect of COVID-19, human migration and adaption to climate change, clean and affordable food and energy.
• Understanding Cultures: still evolving, but converging on migration, COVID-19, and climate change as main focus areas.

Role of UR Faculty Representatives:

Steering Group Representatives are expected to attend GCSG meetings which normally convene three times per year. Two of these take place by teleconference, lasting an hour. The third meeting has traditionally taken place in-person at the WUN AGM, but due to pandemic disruptions, this may be virtual or organized independent of the AGM. Occasional off-cycle meetings and GCSG-organized programs may also take place throughout the year. Regular meeting attendance and active engagement in the group are keys to the success of the group. Though there is no term limit, UR Representatives are expected to: actively serve for 2 years, reporting relevant information to the Office for Global Engagement, assist with the RDF review process and engagement, and socialize and identify other University stakeholders for participation in the various initiatives offered by the network. Once travel and funding resumes, there will be a small travel stipend from The Office for Global Engagement associated with the role.

Interested faculty may nominate a colleague or submit an online application by March 1, 2021, to the Office for Global Engagement. The application consists of a statement of interest, CV, and confirmation of support from the department chair.

Questions? Contact the UR WUN Coordinator