Sessional Lecturer - FOR303HF - Human Dimensions of Global Forests

Faculty/Division: Faculty of Architecture, Landscape & Design
Department: Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape & Design
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

About the role

This is a co-instructor position for the course FOR303HF - Human Dimensions of Global Forests. The course covers global forest resources and forest economics; relationships between societies and forests, consumption, trade, and valuation of timber and non-timber products; ecosystem services, climate change and forestry, tropical deforestation, and the softwood lumber dispute.

Estimated course enrollment: 80 students
Class schedule: Thursdays, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Sessional dates of appointment: September 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Responsibilities

• Teach 12 lecture hours (6 weeks) covering major forest biomes, deforestation drivers, and sustainable management.
• Create course syllabi, assignments, and exam criteria focused on economic and social impacts, including socioeconomic causes of deforestation such as agricultural expansion and policy drivers.
• Build and update the course syllabus, manage course software (Quercus), and coordinate guest lecturers where applicable.
• Grade and provide guidance for student assignments, group projects, midterms, and final exams.
• Hold regular office hours to mentor students on research and writing standards.

Requirements

• Relevant graduate degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in forestry, forest conservation, environmental studies, resource economics, or a related field.
• Proven academic expertise in global forest resources, forest economics, and socio-ecological policy.
• Broader knowledge of societal values relevant to the forest resource sector, including policy issues addressing tropical deforestation or timber trade disputes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous lecturing or teaching experience at the university level in forestry conservation or environmental social sciences.
• Strong record of designing, lecturing, or TAing senior university-level courses in the forest resource sector, including forest economics, resource management, and conservation.
• Familiarity with digital learning tools, including the University of Toronto Quercus system, to manage course notes and readings.
• Ability to run interactive office hours, guide student assignments, and oversee and coordinate teaching assistants.

Pay

• Sessional Lecturer I: $9,997.47
• Sessional Lecturer I (Long Term): $10,699.21
• Sessional Lecturer II: $10,699.21
• Sessional Lecturer II (Long Term): $10,953.96
• Sessional Lecturer III: $10,953.96
• Sessional Lecturer III (Long Term): $11,228.90

Salary includes 4% or 6% vacation pay, where applicable. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates in the collective agreement shall prevail.