The Department of American Studies at the University of Maryland is now hiring!

The Department of American Studies at the University of Maryland is now hiring an Assistant Professor, African American Public Humanities.

The Department of American Studies at the University of Maryland invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position focused on African American Public Humanities at the rank of Assistant Professor. We especially seek those with expertise in one or more focus areas or approaches: digital humanities; public history; museum studies; public art/expressive culture; social policy and the law; participatory action research; and community-partnered research and pedagogy. We also welcome applications from those who may enhance some of our existing and growing strengths in critical ethnic studies, black expressive culture, queer studies, disability studies, media studies, material culture studies, digital studies, and studies of space and place. We invite applications from candidates whose scholarship is focused in the traditional format of monographs and refereed journal articles as well as those whose research is focused in creative or cultural resource venues.

The successful applicant will show clear promise of a strong research record, the ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses and advise students, and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary and innovative research and teaching in African American studies and the public humanities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to partner with the University of Maryland’s African American History, Culture, and Digital Humanities Project(AADHUM) and/or the Museum Scholarship and Material Culture Graduate Certificate Program, as appropriate to their expertise. They will also be expected to participate actively in the life of the Department and the University.

We seek candidates whose research, teaching, and service have prepared them to contribute to diversity and inclusion. Applicants are asked to provide a clear statement of contributions to diversity in their letter, summarizing their leadership efforts, and other past or potential contributions to diversity. Contributions might include leadership in teaching, mentoring, research, or service towards building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment and/or increasing access or participation of individuals from historically underrepresented groups.

Applications should be submitted online at ejobs.umd.edu and include:

 ●       A 3-4 page letter of application (describing scholarly achievements, contributions to relevant fields, and trajectory of work as it relates to the public humanities; teaching philosophy and experience, including experience mentoring students; a statement of contributions to diversity; and major contributions to the institutions, professions, and communities in which the applicant has served)

●       A curriculum vitae

●       A writing sample (one article or book/dissertation chapter)

●       The contact information for three recommenders who will submit their references online

●       Applicants also have the option to submit additional documentation of other forms of work (including URLs) that they would like the committee to consider; these should be included as a single PDF with a representative sample.

The Department of American Studies at the University of Maryland was founded in 1945. The department is organized around two key themes – the social construction of identity and difference and the cultures of everyday life – and centers approaches to the study of the U.S. that consider transnational, global, and colonial frameworks. Our faculty and students are active across the University of Maryland campus and beyond. We strive to meet the ideals of equity and social justice and we value scholarship, teaching, and mentorship that adopt an intersectional lens and are community-engaged. In addition to the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in American Studies, our department offers a minor in US Latina/o Studies and an opportunity to focus in Critical Ethnic Studies.  

Inquiries may be sent to the chair of the search committee, Christina Hanhardt, at hanhardt@umd.edu. Applications must be submitted online and for best consideration, all application materials need to be uploaded by December 5th, 2021. Ph.D. or comparable terminal degree is required.

 The University of Maryland, College Park, actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. 

 This search is contingent upon the availability of funds.