George Brown College, Department of English and Communication, Toronto, Canada
Term: September 2025 – April 2026
Remuneration: A monthly stipend of $4,000 (does not cover transportation or meals)
Deadline to apply: Monday May 26, 2024
George Brown College consistently ranks among Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, thanks to our focus on employee wellness, diversity and inclusion, professional development opportunities, and generous benefits and pension plans. We are a proud organization where employees are motivated most of all by their dedication to a common cause of serving our students.
At George Brown, our success is powered by people and education. Our culture is what makes us a dynamic and rewarding place to work. We champion diversity, and provide educational opportunities for students to widen perspectives, gain knowledge and build critical thinking skills.
For more than two decades, George Brown has partnered with PEN Canada to invite exiled writers into the College to discuss freedom of expression, human rights and the importance of democracy. By sharing their stories, the Writer-in-Residence will engage in rich discussions with the community and contribute to the College goals of inclusion and support for Canadian newcomers.
About this opportunity
Successful candidates will devote approximately half of their time to students and staff, as a guest speaker in classes and at other College events and initiatives. The remaining time will be designated for the writer to advance their own work. Opportunities also include:
- The chance to network and engage with other writers and creative professionals at the College
- A bridge to other opportunities – many go on to complete further degrees, gain employment elsewhere, publish in Canada, and take on residencies at other institutions
- The opportunity to share personal and professional stories with students
What George Brown College is looking for:
An enthusiastic, open-minded individual who loves working with students and faculty and in a post-secondary academic institution; has a passion for freedom of expression, democracy, and open dialogue; is willing to share personal experiences relevant to the role; and champions the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Summary of Role
- In consultation with the GBC team, develop a targeted plan for interacting with students, faculty, and staff throughout the semester, including face-to-face (on campus) and virtual (remote) engagement
- Help to conceptualize innovative presentation themes for addressing critical thinking and freedom of expression in the College environment
- Create and deliver presentations, workshops, collaborative sessions and other innovative ways of connecting with students, faculty, and staff
- Participate in academic/cultural College events, and present in staff meetings
- Maintain an active online presence at George Brown College to promote the program to College employees and students
- Remuneration: stipend of $4000/month ($40/ hr @ 25 hrs/week)
Candidates must:
- be a member of PEN Canada’s Writer in Exile Program
- be actively engaged in writing projects
- be fluent enough in English to participate effectively in the work described above
- be willing to travel to the George Brown Campus to engage with faculty and students
- be willing to engage with faculty and students virtually through online platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom; be comfortable using the College’s Learning Management System (D2L Brightspace)
- agree to have classroom visits and events recorded for educational purposes
Candidates must include:
- a résumé indicating publication history in journalism, fiction, literary non-fiction, filmmaking, poetry, historical or ethnographic literature, or drama; awards received for literary work; and any professional experience in teaching, consulting, mentoring, residencies, and publishing
- a portfolio of writing (5-10 pages)
How to apply
- Please send a letter of interest, your résumé, a short writing sample and a 2-3 minute video introducing yourself and sharing ideas for how you will engage students and others in the College community to create positive learning experiences.
- Your letter of interest must indicate how you meet the criteria listed above and must state your availability for the dates of the program.
- Please send your application to PEN Canada by email, queries@pencanada.ca, by the deadline of Monday, May 26, 2025.
NOTE: No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Please ensure your application is completed as requested and that it is received on time. PEN Canada will not be responsible for incomplete or late applications.
PEN Canada will send applicants an email confirmation receipt after May 28, 2025. All applications will be sent to an independent selection committee as they are received. Selected applicants will be asked to participate in a virtual interview, after which a selection will be made with the goal of the Writer-in-Residence starting at GBC at the beginning of September.
