Founding Director

    Job Title: Founding Director, Centre for Critical Thinking and Writing

Reports to: Dean – Academic Affairs, Office of Academic Affairs

Location: Ashoka Campus, Sonipat

Experience (in years): Minimum 20 years

Nature of work: Full-time

About Ashoka University:

Ashoka University -India’s premier interdisciplinary teaching and research university. An institution that has become a beacon of academic excellence in less than 10 years since its inception. At Ashoka, we encourage you to embrace the new, push the boundaries for continuous learning, and adapt to a world of constant change Because we believe that each Ashokan is capable of becoming a thought leader.

 As part of our thriving and committed workforce, you will:

Be Mission-Driven: Champion interdisciplinary learning, innovative pedagogy, and academic rigor to transform Indian higher education. 

Think Strategically: Collaborate with visionary minds to shape the future of higher education through strategic planning and a forward-thinking approach.

Act Authentically: Embrace authenticity and integrity, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every voice is valued.

Take Accountability: Own your work and drive positive change, as an empowering individual seeking to make a meaningful contribution.

Build Collaboration: Experience the power of teamwork and diverse perspectives, working collectively towards our shared goals.

Deliver Excellence: Strive for excellence in all aspects, upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, student support, and professional development opportunities.

At Ashoka University, we are on a mission to redefine higher education and create a remarkable space where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a pioneering force in interdisciplinary learning, we continually grow and adapt to stay at the forefront of educational excellence with emphasis on inclusivity and equal opportunity. Our philosophy revolves around care, well-being, and connection, which are deeply embedded in everything we do.

When you join our community, you become part of an extraordinary journey in which you can unleash your potential and make a meaningful impact. Where education empowers, where innovation thrives, and where excellence and humility coexist. We truly believe the world will enrich itself when there is progress with purpose.    

 About the Department: Ashoka University is establishing a new Centre of Critical Thinking and      Writing which will oversee various programmes related to writing, communication and teaching       of  Foundation Course on Introduction to Critical Thinking. 

At a later stage, department will be in charge of excellence in academic writing, English Language Teaching (ELT), critical thinking, and pedagogy across disciplines. It will support students and faculty through teaching, one-on-one tutorials, workshops, research, and outreach. The Center will also play a major role in faculty enrichment, pedagogical training, and research on higher education practices.

As the Head of the Center, the incumbent will be responsible for strategic planning, curriculum development, research initiatives, faculty/staff management, and fostering a multidisciplinary culture of writing and critical thinking across the university. This is a senior leadership role that combines high-level teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities.

Role and Responsibilities:

Leadership & Administration

·       Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the newly established Center.

·       Oversee structural reorganization and integration of existing writing, communication, and critical thinking units

·       Manage a team of 15-20 members

·       Build and promote a collaborative, multidisciplinary team drawing from diverse backgrounds (anthropology, history, translation, journalism, science communication, law, arts, etc.)

·       Develop and manage the departmental budget, resources, and infrastructure

·       Establish partnerships with Centres for Teaching and Learning at institutions abroad (like University of Pennsylvania and North-western University)

Teaching & Academic Programs

·       Design, develop, and teach credited courses in writing, rhetoric, critical thinking, and pedagogy

·       Oversee one-on-one writing support tutorials and English communication courses

·       Lead the development and delivery of

o    Core Academic Workshops (listening, speaking, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills — open to all students)

o    Course-specific / discipline-embedded writing workshops (Visual Arts, Physics, ICT, History, Anthropology, etc.)

o    Research-Writing Schools (twice a year) for MA, MLS, fourth-year UG, and PhD students across humanities, social sciences, and sciences

·       Run the university-wide Introduction to Critical Thinking (ICT) Foundation Course

Research, Publications & Outreach

·       Lead cutting-edge research on writing pedagogy, higher education practices, and critical thinking

·       Organize International Conferences and Workshops on writing and pedagogy

·       Promote scholarly publications and research projects by faculty and students

·       Develop high-quality learning materials and open educational resources

·       Facilitate faculty enrichment programs focused on pedagogy, teaching practices, and writing across the curriculum

 Staff & Faculty Development

·       Recruit, mentor, train, and evaluate Senior Writing Fellows and Writing Tutors for the Department

·       Promote professional development of the team and broader university faculty in writing pedagogy

·       Foster an inclusive and innovative environment that values diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

Qualifications:

·       PhD in Communication/ Writing Studies/ English (with specialization in Composition/Rhetoric), Applied Linguistics, Education/Pedagogy, or a closely related field

·       Minimum 20 years of relevant experience in university-level teaching, writing program administration, or pedagogy development (with at least 7 years at Professor or equivalent senior level)

Skills Required:

·       Strong publication record in writing pedagogy, critical thinking, or related areas

·       Demonstrated experience in designing and leading writing centres, multidisciplinary writing programs, or faculty development initiatives

·       Proven leadership and administrative experience in higher education

·       Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work across disciplines

 

Desired Attributes

·       Experience in administrative leadership positions

·       Experience in English Language Teaching (ELT) and academic writing support in multidisciplinary or international contexts

·       Track record of securing grants or collaborations with international teaching & learning centres

·       Familiarity with current trends in writing studies, critical pedagogy, and digital learning tools

·       Experience in organizing international conferences, research schools, and faculty training programs