Lecturer - PRODIG Fellow in Critical AI

Description

The University Libraries and the School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ) at Stony Brook University invite applications for a Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth plus (PRODIG ) Fellow specializing in Critical AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AI literacy, helping to grow Stony Brook’s interdisciplinary commitment to research and education.

We are expanding our AI capacity and seeking candidates interested in research areas such as AI forensics, disinformation, and AI governance, as well as exploring the societal impact, ethical considerations, and innovative applications of AI technologies. The incumbent will support alignment between critical AI research and the Libraries' practical AI implementations, helping to guide the development of ethical frameworks and governance policies for AI use in academic settings, while having access to real-world AI applications and use cases through the University's growing AI initiatives.

PRODIG Fellows are full-time, 12-month, non-tenure-track faculty positions at the lecturer level to commence in Fall 2025. The fellow will be a part of a mentored research environment and, with successful performance and demonstrated contribution to inclusion, diversity, and equity, will be invited to join the tenure-track faculty at Stony Brook University after two years. The Fellow will receive a reduced teaching load (~50% of the typical teaching load for research-active tenure-track faculty) during the two-year initial appointment. Additional information on the PRODiG Fellowship can be found at https://www.suny.edu/prodig-plus/fellowship/.

We seek a scholar whose solutions-oriented research helps identify how to investigate the effects of AI, algorithms, and/or data on society, including but not limited to AI Forensics, Algorithmic Auditing, and Ethical/Responsible AI. Ideally, the candidate’s research would show promise of achieving extramural funding and engaging directly with fields such as journalism, communications, libraries/archives, cybersecurity, and policy. Scholars from various humanistic, social scientific, and computational traditions are welcome to apply. Still, applicants should identify how their work connects to one or more areas, such as journalism, information science, archival science, digital preservation, mass communication, or communication and media studies.

The fellow will be jointly appointed by the SoCJ and the University Libraries. The fellow will contribute to the SoCJ’s undergraduate and graduate programs in journalism, communication, mass communication, rhetorical studies, and science communication, as well as the University Libraries’ upcoming AI literacy courses.

The home department will be determined based on the candidate's field/profile and/or negotiations, with a 51% appointment in the primary department and 49% in the other. Promotion and Tenure (P&T) will be managed by the primary department with input from the secondary department.

As a public university dedicated to addressing society’s greatest challenges through research and education, we understand a genuine commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is key to academic excellence, new discoveries, and societal change. Candidates should demonstrate personal, academic, and/or work experience engaging with diversity, equity, and inclusion and/or a commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Such experience may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/ unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship and must have a PhD or relevant terminal degree from an accredited institution completed prior to start date. Preference will be given to candidates who are: Current SUNY students, alumni, and/or Fellows; From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates); were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree); have overcome adversity; are AmeriCorps alumni; or are veterans.

The PRODiG Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination laws. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

Responsibilities:
Build and maintain a recognized program of critical AI research, scholarship, and journalistic/library practice;
Work collaboratively to advance interdisciplinary work and publications;
Pursue extramural funding in alignment with SoCJ, Libraries, and campus priorities;
Teach courses and design curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
Supervise undergraduate capstones and graduate thesis projects;
Develop policies around AI and align critical AI research and the Libraries' practical AI implementations;
Advance the SoCJ and Libraries commitment to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility or justice, including mentoring and supporting our diverse student body;
Provide meaningful service contributions both within and beyond the university.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Completed PhD (or foreign equivalent) degree from an accredited institution prior to start date (9/1/2025) in communication, mass communication, journalism, data science, library and information science, or in a relevant field. A record of research or scholarly activity focused on the effects of AI, algorithms, and/or data on society. Experience teaching at the university level (classes, workshops, etc.). Demonstrated experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility or justice through teaching, research and/or service. Such experience may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations. Eligible to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:
Evidence of or potential for excellence in research and service in AI forensics, disinformation, and AI governance, as well as exploring the societal impact, ethical considerations, and innovative applications of AI technologies. Experience in graduate teaching or mentorship. Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration. Demonstrated track record of working on and/or seeking extramural funding.

Application Instructions

Please, submit:

1. Resume
2. Essay: Please describe, in 750 words or less, how you’ve engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations.

All application materials must be submitted online. Please use the Apply Now button to begin your application. For technical support, please visit Interfolio's Support Site (https://support.interfolio.com/) or reach out to their Scholar Service Team at help@interfollio.com or (877) 997-8807. For questions regarding this position, please contact Margaret Schedel at soj_recruitment@stonybrook.edu