OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create
OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.
It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.
The School of Graduate Studies invites applications for the following anticipated course offerings in the spring/summer 2025-26 academic year:
INCD 5001: Cognitive Semiotics ( 0.5 credit)
(Spring Semester: May 19, 2026 – August 14, 2026 ; once a week: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM; Online Synchronous)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Marks, utterances, gestures, and other signs are how diverse people convey meaning. To explore how meaning is constructed, conveyed, and understood, we turn to cognitive semiotics, an emerging
research and practice area at the intersection of the biological, cognitive, and behavioral
sciences on the one hand, and the study of meaning (traditionally the domain of the arts, philosophy, linguistics, and semiotics) on the other. This course will induce a student-driven but instructor-guided research investigation through basic concepts and theories of cognitive semiotics, and through this investigation students will gain insight into how meaning creation relates to perception and sensory-motor experience.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Teaching and teaching-related responsibilities may include but are not limited to: course outline development, studio preparation and delivery inclusive of lectures, critiques, grading, mid-term evaluations and final evaluations/reviews; including responsibility for health & safety and meeting academic and curricular requirements and deadlines.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful applicant should have a terminal degree in art, design or relevant discipline and/or equivalent professional/practical experience
Experience teaching at the post-secondary level is considered an asset, equivalent relevant experience will be considered
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
Demonstrated leadership and experience promoting a respectful and inclusive work and learning environment for students, staff, and faculty
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Sessional appointments are fixed-term annual contracts. Sessional compensation includes a per-course pay scale with salary level of $7,508.00 (per 0.5 credit course) plus 7% in lieu of benefits and vacation pay, per the provisions of the Employment Standards Act. These positions are subject to budgetary approval and satisfactory enrolment levels.
Applications should include:
A letter of intent stating the candidate’s interests in the areas of teaching by identifying relevant courses above;
A curriculum vitae;
A statement of teaching philosophy that responds to the profile of the position;
A link or web address to your digital portfolio of recent and current work/publications (if applicable)
And the names and contact information of three references.
Please upload all five (5) components (including the URL to work) as one PDF. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code
Interested applicants are invited to submit their application in confidence, addressed to the School of Graduate Studies Appointments Committee, online.
The review of applications will begin on Wednesday April 1st, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada for any employer (with a valid work or study permit, SIN and Canadian bank account).
If you require application support, please contact the People & Culture Office. Please note that People & Culture cannot update you on the status of your application as these searches are decentralized to their respective Faculty offices. You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview. If the posting is advertised, we are still accepting applications.
As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University (OCAD U) recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD U understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
OCAD U is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.
