Search #: 494935
Work type: Full-time
Location: Storrs Campus
Categories: Faculty Tenure Track

The Department of Journalism at the University of Connecticut welcomes applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the production of journalism documentaries, with an emphasis on work that focuses on racism and other forms of bias. The position will be a joint appointment with the Africana Studies Institute, Asian & Asian American Studies Institute, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, or El Instituto: Latina/o, Caribbean and Latin American Studies. Our ideal candidate will have significant experience in producing journalism documentaries — a combination of strong technical and storytelling skills, and an interest in emerging, time-based storytelling practice. Experience working with undergraduates is preferred.

The position is part of an anti-racism and anti-bias cluster of seven new faculty in the Departments of Communication, Journalism, History, Philosophy, Political Science, English, and Literatures, Cultures and Languages. The cluster hiring initiative of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences seeks faculty to join our vibrant collective of Centers, Departments, Institutes, and Programs in engaged anti-racism and anti-bias scholarship. We envision such scholarship as rooted in intersectional struggles against dehumanization, denigration, and dispossession and for decolonization and liberation. Anti-racist and anti-bias scholarship thus involves the active work of dismantling systems of oppression, including larger systems of thought, through generating reparative alternatives, modes of justice and healing, and visions of transformative futures. We hope insights borne of such struggles will inform the development of a dynamic role for UConn in shaping a contemporary global society conducive to human dignity and planetary well-being.

The research of this scholar is expected to be journalistic documentaries that draw public attention to racism and bias in all its forms, and related publications in quality scholarly, professional or mass media venues. The teaching load is expected to be two courses per semester. The successful candidate should expect to train students in areas such as visual thinking, writing, shooting, sound recording, editing and the business of documentaries — developing students’ ability to report and produce short- and/or long-form documentaries for public viewing. The position will be based on our Storrs campus and will begin on August 23, 2021.

The mission of the Department of Journalism is to train and graduate journalists who represent the highest standards of our profession to become national and international leaders. We do not produce promotional, marketing or advertising films. We have a strong commitment to diversity, and we welcome collaborative opportunities with other programs across the University, including the Human Rights Institute, the Humanities Institute, and the Department of Digital Media and Design. The Department embraces an inclusive environment and encourages applications from members of under-represented groups. All faculty are expected to contribute to the Department's goal of preparing future generations of journalists to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse population. In addition, this candidate will be expected to assist the University in its efforts to broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; to demonstrate through their research, teaching, and/or public engagement the richness of diversity in the learning experience; to integrate multicultural experiences into relevant course content; and to contribute to the development of pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.

The UConn Department of Journalism is the only nationally accredited journalism program in New England. As such, it embraces the standards set by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (www.acejmc.org). It has 6 tenure stream faculty, 3 in-residence faculty and about 120 majors and pre-majors. All faculty members have significant professional backgrounds, including 2 Pulitzer Prize winners. For more information, visit journalism.uconn.edu.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution and, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in journalism, or an MFA or another terminal degree in a related area.
• At least 5 years video production or professional short and/or feature documentary film experience.
• Demonstrated teaching experience (may include TA, guest lecture, master classes, etc.)
• A strong journalism portfolio.
• Expertise in NLE video editing software including Premiere Pro and other Adobe Creative Cloud software, such as After Effects, Photoshop, Audition, etc.
• Ability to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the learning experience through innovative research, teaching, and public engagement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• History of securing external funding
• Documented excellence in college-level teaching
• History of active involvement in relevant professional organizations
• Experience with TriCaster or similar video production systems

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a 9-month, tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor. Teaching load includes two courses per semester.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/17786 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
• Equity and Inclusion statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Sample publication
• Three (3) letters of reference.

Evaluation of applicants will begin January 15, 2021. For questions about this position, please contact the search chair, Associate Prof. Marie K. Shanahan, marie.shanahan@uconn.edu

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

Advertised: Jan 15 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Feb 05 2021 Eastern Standard Time