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[helpful]

I have the sense that Halifax is somewhat socially conservative but more in an old Tory sense than in a raging blue state sense. I know what you mean by critical work and there isn't a lot of in my discipline at Dal. On the other hand, these things really vary by field, as we know. And, I think the NDP has done quite well in Halifax, which indicates solid progressive-lefty values are floating around.

One of the profs in Dal social work is an NDP member of the legislature. Another does work in anti-oppressive pedagogy.

(To Americans)...NDP is to the left of the Democrats. In Nova Scotia it has a lot of roots in the trade union movement in Cape Breton (coalmining) and in Halifax amongst intellectuals and activists.

By the way, you will findmost Social Work programs live in a tension between a critical/community approach and a more clinical "helping the poor" approach or one thattends to focus on the individual. 

Since the provincial government is in a minority situation (again) I expect it will be an exciting place to work.

[tenuretracker]

Thank you so much, geekgirl and helpful!

Yes, the research that I've done on the school seems to indicate that it Dal would be a very good fit.

Sorry, I meant in the raging *red state* sense....I tend to reverse the red states/blue states.

This is true of most social work in the US as well, though there seems to be much more focus upon the individual in most social work programs here. If you enter social work interested in broader critical issues, you have to work much harder to find a program than it seems you might in Canada bases on my limited research.

It does seem like it would be an excited place to work!!

Thanks much,

AP

[tenuretracker]

Oops! This is the quote I meant to use!

"By the way, you will findmost Social Work programs live in a tension between a critical/community approach and a more clinical "helping the poor" approach or one thattends to focus on the individual". 

Thanks again!

AP

[helpful]

BTW I didn't see an ad in the last two months for a social work position at Dalhousie. Did you already interview there?

[tenuretracker]

Hi helpful,

The school of social work at Dalhousie has posted their faculty search on their website. I believe they have also just posted on the CASSW. I will apply. The fit seems a good one. Fingers crossed.

AP

[hibernian]

Thanks to everyone who contributed so many lengthy explanations to my original questions. I am glad such a rousing conversation ensued! Very informative, and I must say, I like everything I hear. Someone asked what discipline I am in. I am a social anthropologist. Does that change anyone's answers?

Thanks again! 

[tenuretracker]

Thanks to helpful and geekgirl, I've sent off my application materials to Dalhousie. The more I research the department and area that more excited I am about the possibility! I will keep you posted!

Thanks again,

AP

[mehmet_shehu]

This is interesting. I applied for three jobs in Nova Scotia. I was interviewed at St Mary's but it was given to a Canadian and I was told that I was the better candidate but the immigration rules meant they couldn't take me.

I then applied for two different jobs at Dal. I wasn't even shortlisted but was told that I was top of the "non-Canadian list" (?)

No hard feelings - it's their loss as I'm now about to become a full professor at a top top university in the UK, whilst their appointees have sunk without a trace.

But I admit I would have liked to have lived in Halifax - great place. 

[sociological]

I am also thinking of applying for positions at a couple of the top Canadian universities. My question is a bit different. My advisors don't seem to know much about these schools. I have no qualms about living in the major Canadian cities, and they definitely have excellent faculty in the department to which I would be applying, but I am concerned that these schools might be rather "off the map" as far as U.S. academia is concerned. Am I wrong? I don't necessarily want to stay there for the rest of my career....

[hibernian]

I would assume that that would depend on your discipline and which universities you are applying to. Which social science do you study?

[sociological]

Sociology.

[hibernian]

I can only assume that the 'top' Canadian universities would 'register' with most people in the States even given the (frustrating) US insularity that has often been commented upon in these fora.  I say apply. Who knows? Maybe you'd love it and want to stay! But the 'top' Uni.s will surely 'look good' if you want to return, don't you think?

[sinead]

Canadian universities do state a preference for Canadian citizens; at the very least, this position is an honest and transparent one. Hiring committees in other countries also often share a preference for graduates from universities in their own countries, but they don't make this transparent in the job search process and it can be quite frustrating for candidates.

Some of the largest universities in Canada are quite happy to sidestep this process, demonstrating (as they are required to do) that no suitable Canadian candidate can be found. This appears to be common practice in some positions, for instance, The Canada Research Chair Program.

[spitfire]

To socsciabd:

You pose an interesting question about how you will be viewed by U.S. peers if you move to a Canadian institution. I've seen some people in sociology come to Canada from the U.S. and keep their U.S. connections just fine, esp. in a top Canadian department. I think sociologists might be more open that some other social science disciplines (e.g. ASA was in Montreal this year, as I'm sure you know).

On the other hand, I wonder if Americans tend to see faculty at Canadian universities as 'out of the network', esp. because they will not be able to help their grad students get jobs, etc at top places in the U.S. On the flip side of that argument, people who go off to SLACs after top U.S. degrees often fall out of their grad school networks very quickly when their peers at R1 institutions view them as less research-focused and not able to exchange the top quality favours that make professional life go 'round at the very top levels.

I will be interested to see what others think.

[molita]

I am US and was hired at Canadian U last year. In my experience nationality was not a factor. Committee looked for the best suited candidates and then dealt with foreign status after people accepted. It is not difficult to get approval to teach in Canada (visa-wise) for profs. Once you have your work permit, your spouse gets an open one too and can apply and work as Canadians do. We are enjoying free healthcare, peameal, and less macho-posturing up here. Go ahead and apply.