Recruitment of Non-Tenure-Track and Full-Time Faculty for the TAISI English-based Degree Program

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Waseda University is further accelerating its international development and promoting interdisciplinary research and education and the global circulation of knowledge, with the aim of establishing an educational and research hub that fosters the next generation of social innovators. The Faculty also respects the diversity of its members and strives to realize a fair and inclusive environment for education and research.
The English-based degree program established by the Faculty in 2010 has developed into the Transnational and Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Innovation (TAISI) Program. From the perspective of multicultural collaboration, the program provides education that addresses challenges facing the world and local communities, and has fostered the learning of a diverse student body from around the globe. Building on more than 15 years of educational achievements, the program will pursue its vision for sustainable development over the coming years by further enhancing its curriculum and strengthening its organizational framework.
In line with this initiative, the Faculty invites applications for a full-time faculty member who will serve as Program Director and oversee TAISI as a whole, as well as non-tenure-track faculty members responsible for education and research in the four fields described below.* We warmly welcome applications from dedicated educators and researchers who share the Faculty’s ideals and are eager not only to pursue high-quality education and interdisciplinary research, but also to help shape the continuing evolution of the program and the future of the Faculty.

* Specialized Fields of the English-based Degree Program “TAISI”
The following sections introduce the topics and related academic disciplines associated with each field.

Field 1: Community and Social Development

People in communities around the world face a wide range of challenges, including environmental problems, armed conflict, natural disasters, and various forms of inequality. Field 1, Community and Social Development, explores the possibilities for sustainable societies by examining communities and social groups at different scales, including neighborhoods, regions, and nations. It focuses on people’s lives, local history and culture, relationships with the natural environment, and the social spaces that support them.

Related Fields: Urban and regional planning; regional sociology and community studies; development economics; sociology of disaster and disaster risk reduction; community welfare and social policy; participatory development and citizen participation; public policy and local government; environmental sociology.

Field 2: Peace Building and International Cooperation

Conflicts and disputes repeatedly arise between states and social groups against backgrounds that include differences in religion, ethnicity, culture, and political systems, as well as poverty, discrimination, and economic inequality. Field 2, Peace Building and International Cooperation, seeks to understand relationships among people and societies with different historical and cultural backgrounds and values. Through dialogue and collaboration, it aims to deepen mutual understanding, build peaceful societies, and address global challenges.

Related Fields: International relations; peace and conflict studies; international law and international organizations; international development cooperation; comparative politics and political institutions; multicultural coexistence and intercultural communication; human rights and discrimination studies; international sociology and migration studies.

Field 3: Economic and Environmental Sustainability

Challenges involving the global environment and the resources that support economic activity and social life, including climate change, ecosystem destruction, and resource and energy issues, are becoming increasingly serious. Field 3, Economic and Environmental Sustainability, examines the interrelationships among the economy, society, and the environment, integrating social justice and environmental conservation rather than focusing on economic growth alone.

Related Fields: Environmental economics; sustainable development; development economics; environmental policy and environmental governance; climate change studies; energy policy and resource studies; environmental law and environmental ethics; circular economy and sustainable management; environmental sociology.

Field 4: Social Organizations and Working

Technological innovation, digitalization, and the globalization of the economy are significantly transforming companies, organizations, and ways of working, while also giving rise to issues such as employment insecurity and disparities in working conditions. Field 4, Social Organizations and Working, examines diverse organizations, people’s behavior and relationships, and the relationship between technology and people in order to explore new possibilities for organizations and business.

Related Fields: Business administration and organization theory; labor economics; sociology of work; human resource management; innovation studies; entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship; science, technology and society and digital society studies; business ethics, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and stakeholder theory.