Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media (Associate/Full Professor with Tenure)

UNCCH - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media (Associate/Full Professor with Tenure)

Proposed Start Date
07/01/2024

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Hussman School affirms that the hiring, tenure, and promotion decisions should be the purview of the faculty and appropriate university bodies. We are a diverse, collaborative group of researchers and practitioners who address questions in media processes and production; legal and regulatory issues in communication; media uses and effects; health communication; and political, social, and strategic communication.

We are also diverse in methodological approaches and welcome scholars who bridge methodological and theoretical traditions. We have strong interdisciplinary partners with the School of Information and Library Science and Gillings School of Global Public Health. In partnership with the School of Law, we operate the UNC Center for Media Law and Policy, which includes a graduate-level dual degree program. We also have ties with Computer Science, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies, and other departments and schools at the university.

We are home to several undergraduate sports communication initiatives. The Sports Communication Certificate program provides courses about sports and the media, offers internships and scholarships for students and brings visiting lecturers to the school. At Sports Xtra, an Emmy Award-winning broadcast news class, students create a twice-weekly live sports show. The Carolina Sports Journalism Camp is a high school workshop that attracts students from across the country.

In addition to its robust undergraduate programs in journalism, advertising, and public relations, our graduate school programs include the Ph.D. in Media and Communication, the online M.A. in Digital Communication, and the M.A. in Media and Communication with journalism and strategic communication areas of study.

Position Summary
The Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is searching for an individual with a distinguished professional reputation in journalism, filmmaking, multimedia storytelling or advertising and public relations focused on Sports, Race and Media to serve as the next Knight Chair.

The Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media will become an associate or full professor with tenure upon hire, pending approval of the School and University committees. Successful candidates will bring professional and/or academic credentials that will qualify them to earn tenure at a top tier research 1 public university such as UNC Chapel Hill. It is a nine-month position that carries the possibility of additional employment during the summer months. Summer teaching is not guaranteed.

The Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media will teach a mix of undergraduate and graduate courses in the fall and spring semesters and will be encouraged to develop new courses to diversify the curriculum. The ideal candidate will develop courses reflecting the fast -moving fields of Sports and Media. The Knight Chair may also be required to teach existing core undergraduate courses as needs arise.

The chair will build industry relationships to identify internships, host knowledgeable guest speakers with diverse professional perspectives and serve as a mentor and coach to Carolina’s future media leaders, among them student members of the Carolina Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, NLGJA, which represents LGBTQ+ journalists, Black Ink, National Black Public Relations Society and Carolina Ahora.

In addition to teaching, the successful candidate will convene meetings, monitor industry developments, initiate and/or collaborate on studies that advance the field of Sports, Race and Media. The chair will actively engage with media organizations, trade associations, foundations, government entities, nonprofits and others working in the area of Sports, Race and Media.

The chair is expected to fulfill the standard requirements for teaching, applied research and service expected of an associate or full professor at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
The successful candidate will contribute to the profession and the School around the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of Sports, Race and Media. We seek a professional with a national or international reputation and an active and significant stream of creative and professional activity or academic research centered on Sports, Race and Media. Professional activity or academic research may include the analysis of economics, culture, and media coverage of a diverse array of issues related to Sports, Race and Media.

The successful candidate will have a clear record of interest in the subject of race in their professional work. We further welcome applicants with demonstrated depth and expertise in emerging fields that are focused on Sports, Race and Media and complement and advance the School’s mission.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Teaching experience is strongly preferred but not required.

Special Instructions
Please apply at https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/258341 and upload the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae;

2. Cover letter highlighting qualifications;

3. Research and/or professional activities statement (optional);

4. Representative recent publications (optional, upload as “Other Document”);

5. Teaching philosophy statement (optional).

As part of the application, you will be asked to provide a list of names and contact information for four to five (4-5) professional references. If selected for an interview, your professional references will be contacted with a request to provide a letter of recommendation.

Review of applications will begin on August 10, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.

Please direct questions to the Search Committee Chair, Marisa Porto, at marisa.porto@unc.edu

Quick Link
https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/258341

Department Contact Name and Title

Marisa Porto, John S. and James L. Knight Chair in Local News and Sustainability

Department Contact Telephone or Email

marisa.porto@unc.edu

Academic Personnel Office Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status. 

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.