Assistant Professor/Race in arts/media, queer of color critique and Black feminist media studies

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The mission of the College of Humanities and Sciences is to serve as the intellectual heart and soul of our institution and wider community. The College of Humanities and Sciences:

●Prepares lifelong learners to participate actively as engaged and responsible citizens
●Propels scientific research and scholarship to improve the human condition, cure and treat diseases, and promote healthy environments
●Grounds us in our history, critically examines our present human condition and empowers students to create more equitable local and global communities
●Provides communities with a passionate and creative workforce that serves as a powerful engine for economic development and innovative solutions to problems

As the intellectual lifeblood of VCU and our community, the College of Humanities and Sciences seeks to inspire our students to explore their passions and dreams as individuals and provide the context to understand their place in the world and connections with others—locally, globally and throughout time. Most importantly, our educational and research environment addresses an array of technological, health-related and societal problems, as well as providing profound insights and reflections of what it means to be human and humane.

Chief Purpose of this position: The Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure track, assistant professor position, to begin in August 2022. We are seeking an individual with expertise in race in arts/media, queer of color critique and Black feminist media studies.

Position Responsibilities: Teaching responsibilities will include Introduction to Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies; undergraduate topics courses related to race in arts/media, queer of color critique and Black feminist media studies; and other undergraduate and graduate courses that support the department’s teaching mission. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to course, curriculum, and program development; provide service to the department and to the college or university; and engage in activities to stay current in their discipline.

Required Qualifications:
●PhD from an accredited university in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies or a related field
●Teaching expertise in race in arts/media, queer of color critique and Black feminist media studies
●At least 6 months of post-PhD experience teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level in the field of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
●A record of teaching foundational undergraduate courses in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, including Introduction to Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies (or equivalent)
●A record of teaching advanced special topics undergraduate courses in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies based on the candidate’s expertise in race in arts/media, queer of color critique and Black feminist media studies
●Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:
●Research expertise in race in arts/media, queer of color critique and Black feminist media studies
●A record of teaching graduate feminist theory courses

The Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies (GSWS) is committed to social transformation. We produce and disseminate interdisciplinary feminist knowledge and theories, and view them as vitally connected to community engagement and activism. We critique the construction of differences as producing and reinforcing social, cultural, economic, and political inequities, and understand gender and sexuality as inextricably bound to other forms of difference. GSWS introduces students to new analytical, theoretical, and creative frameworks to enable them to understand, critique, and transform themselves and the world around them. Our faculty members represent a wide variety of disciplines and engage students from diverse fields of study in research, teaching, and public service. Through teaching, activism, scholarly and creative production, and community engagement, GSWS provides analytical and critical tools to equip students for careers in a broad range of fields.

The department offers a major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree, an undergraduate minor, and a post-graduate certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies. The Department has particular strengths in race, racialization, and antiracism studies; LGBTQ studies and queer theory; postcolonial/decolonial/anticolonial studies; health and health policies; and research and activism for social justice change in the academy and the broader community.

Application process: Applicants must apply online and submit: (1) a cover letter; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a statement of teaching philosophy, experience, and interests; (4) a statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion (see below); and (5) names and contact information for three professional references. Please submit the required documents via the VCU career website: https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=vcu.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: As a preeminent national, urban, public research
university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed
to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in
their pursuit of excellence. Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of
Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words)
providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity,
and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and
academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of
promoting equity and inclusion. For more information and guidelines, see https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For further information about the position, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Eli Coston, at ecoston@vcu.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
Tenure: Ineligible
Rank: Assistant Professor
Months: 9
Department: Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Dr. Eli Coston
Contact Email: ecoston@vcu.edu

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
Tenure: Ineligible
Rank: Assistant Professor
Months: 9
Department: Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Dr. Eli Coston
Contact Email: ecoston@vcu.edu