With the support of UNESCO, UPEI will continue to offer a UNESCO Chair recognizing excellence
and innovation in Island Studies and Sustainability, a highly interdisciplinary field of research. Led
by the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, the UNESCO Chair works to establish and expand
programmes on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Sub-National Island Jurisdictions (SNIJs).
The UNESCO Chair provides a unique opportunity for a UPEI researcher to focus their academic
efforts on the generation and application of new knowledge in Island Studies and Sustainability.
Past recipients of the UNESCO Chairship are Drs. James Randall and Godfrey Baldacchino.

The UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability will be awarded for a three-year period and
carries with it a $12,000 annual travel/stipend support. Previous recipients are not eligible to
apply.

The UNESCO Chair is expected to initiate and maintain a vigorous research program in Island
Studies and will actively be searching for external research funding from agencies such as SSHRC,
MITACS, and from provincial and federal sources. The UNESCO Chair will engage in research
activities that will be of benefit for communities and will work towards the establishment of a
global network of centres/institutes involved in Island Studies. The UNESCO Chair is also a
champion for graduate programming in Island Studies at UPEI. They are expected to continue to
strengthen and expand the existing course and work-study-based Master of Arts in Island Studies
and will encourage the participation of a larger number of international students in the program.

Procedures:
Letters of application should be sent to Maria Steele, Manager of Research Services,
mlsteele@upei.ca by June 7, 2021 and should address the following:
• how the applicant’s research interests are linked to Island Studies and Sustainability
• the original nature of the applicant’s research in Island Studies and Sustainability
• the impact of this funding towards education and training of highly qualified personnel in
Island Studies and Sustainability, and a statement on how the applicant will apply the
principles of Equity, Diversity of Inclusion
2
• an outline of new collaborative work (ideally within a multi-sectorial framework) included
in the research plan. For research activities already funded by UNESCO, please contact
Maria Steele, Manager of Research Services, mlsteele@upei.ca or 902-566-6479.
• a current CV for the applicant
• two letters of reference

Applicants who are less than 10 years from having earned their highest degree are encouraged to
apply. Measures are taken to ensure that individuals are not disadvantaged when applying in cases
where they have gaps in career or research (i.e., maternity, parental, extended sick leave, clinical
training, Covid-19 related family responsibilities, etc.), applicants are encouraged to explain those
personal circumstances (if applicable) to allow for a fair assessment.

Applications will be adjudicated based on the above-noted criteria by a committee chaired by the
Associate Vice-President Research. The committee members will complete training in equity,
diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias, and the committee will include an equity champion.
Methods of evaluation will be flexible in considering non-traditional research methods and/or
research output. Please note that the successful application will undergo a vetting process by
UNESCO before final approval.

The holder of the UNESCO Chair is required to submit an annual report to the Associate VicePresident Research.
Inquiries should be addressed to Maria Steele, Manager of Research Services, mlsteele@upei.ca or
902-566-6479.

Timelines:
Competition announcement – 17 May 2021
Competition closing date – 7 June 2021
Review of applications – June 2021
Recipient(s) announced – June 2021
Anticipated start date – 1 July 2021