Open Searches

Health Equity

Department of Human-Centered Design – Tenure Track, Assistant Professor

The Department of Human-Centered Design is seeking an exceptional scholar to join our faculty in the area of Health Equity. We welcome scholars who approach their respective areas of expertise from a multi-disciplinary range of perspectives to develop evidence-based critical solutions to improve lives and address current critical topics with specific attention to bridging the disparities regarding equity and social justice in human health and wellbeing.

Equity and social/environmental justice are a critical area of expertise and strength throughout the College of Human Ecology. The College has a substantial cohort of scholars who are committed to studying race, ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic status including the nature, persistence, and consequences of inequality. Potential topics include: mental or physical health inequalities and the built environment; design for underrepresented populations; design for vulnerable populations; design in support of more just and equitable places and organizations; and design for diverse persons and communities. The applicant should provide evidence of excellence and innovation in design research and teaching with a human-centered orientation.

Research, teaching, and engagement/outreach interests may include, but are not limited to:

• Generating and translating novel solutions across a spectrum of products, technology, spaces, and settings to enhance human health and wellbeing.
• Exploring and critiquing the role of design in producing, expressing, and shaping human health and well-being of individuals and communities.
• Developing environmentally and socially responsible designs and products to benefit individuals, communities, and the environment. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate potential to develop a world-class, externally funded research and design program that engages with current issues around design and health equity.  Responsibilities include creating a successful research program; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses; advising undergraduate and graduate students; and providing service to the department and university community. A Ph.D. is required.

HCD has strong connections to several other units on campus. These relationships support the department’s aim to address real-world challenges and opportunities through critical, creative, and collaborative engagement with design. We seek a colleague who is committed to social and environmental justice and will advance scholarly and real-world understandings of how design shapes environments, humans, and the interaction between the two.

This position is supported in part by Cornell University’s FIRST program (Cornell FIRST), a grant from the NIH’s Common Fund’s Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Program, to recruit early-career faculty who have a demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence. https://nihfirst.cornell.edu/.

For more information, please contact Sienna Torbitt, slt86@cornell.edu.

View the full ad and apply online.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will create a climate that attracts people from all races, nationalities, and genders.