Professor of Media, Democracy, and Society

The School of Communication seeks to fill an open-rank, tenure-line faculty position in Media, Democracy, and Society beginning August 1, 2022. This newly created position at American University in Washington, DC, is central to the School’s mission and programs. The successful candidate should demonstrate that their creative/scholarly/professional work addresses the intersections of media and democracy in contemporary U.S. and/or international societies and complements the School’s strengths. 

The School invites a broad and diverse pool of applicants at any stage of their academic career. Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with fields of emphasis of the School’s four divisions: Communication Studies, Film & Media Arts, Journalism, and Public Communication.

Candidates should possess relevant experience in analytical, investigative, or storytelling techniques that inform democratic practices and institutions in navigating challenges of 21st Century society. Candidates also should possess relevant academic credentials or have had significant achievement in relevant professional fields.

The successful candidate may collaborate with ongoing initiatives at American University such as the Anti-Racist Research Policy Center, the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, the Community Voice Lab, the Center for Media & Social Impact, the Internet Governance Lab, and the Investigative Reporting Workshop. Establishing partnerships in other sectors beyond the University is welcome as well. The successful candidate will teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses that correspond to areas of expertise, in any or all of the School’s divisions, and be expected to fulfill internal and external service commitments.

The School seeks candidates whose research, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to a commitment to diversity and inclusion of those historically underrepresented individuals in higher education. Women, underrepresented individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans of the armed forces are encouraged to apply.

American University promotes an inclusive environment that reflects commitment to principles of diversity and inclusivity. These values are especially relevant given the array of challenges facing democratic governance and media practice in the United States and abroad. 

Salary and benefits are competitive.  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, subject to on-going budgetary approval. Please submit applications via http://apply.interfolio.com/98417. Include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and summary descriptions of recently published, position-relevant work and/or professional achievements, as well as a statement of past and/or anticipated contributions to diversity and inclusion through teaching, research, and service. Recommendation letters and evaluations of teaching will be requested at later stages of the review. Please contact Aisha Green, Faculty Coordinator, 202-885-2133 or aisha@american.edu should you have questions. 

American University is a private institution within easy reach of the many centers of government, business, research, and the arts located within the nation’s capital.  For more information about American University, visit www.american.edu.  Learn more about the School of Communication at http://www.american.edu/soc/.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.  American University is a tobacco and smoke free campus. To ensure the health and safety of our community, American University requires that all faculty and staff are vaccinated for Covid-19.  To learn more about American University's health and safety directives please click here: https://www.american.edu/hr/how-we-work/vaccinations.cfm 

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.