Assistant Professor, Public & Applied Humanities

The Department of Public & Applied Humanities at the University of Arizona is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor. The top candidate will be able to contribute expertise, leadership, and imagination to the department's efforts to theorize and prefigure responses to the future of the human being.

The Department works to translate the personal enrichment characteristic of humanities study into public enrichment and the direct and tangible improvement of the human condition. Through research-driven, collaborative, and publicly facing projects built to explore and enhance life in the community and beyond, our students and scholars convert understanding into action for the measurable betterment of society. The Department is fundamentally experimental, entrepreneurial, and transdisciplinary, and focuses on public and private opportunities that straddle disciplinary boundaries.

Candidates for the position should be highly collaborative, exploratory, and hardworking, with a humanities-oriented and publicly engaged research specialization in one or more of the following areas: the environment (natural or built), health (epidemiological, dis/ability-related, and/or societal), technology (digital, analog, biological), narrative knowledge (place-based, embodied, digital), or similar cross-cutting and emergent research areas, including areas related to the curricular emphases of our BA in Applied Humanities (see below). Experience with Hispanic Serving Institutions and understanding of Indigenous/First Nations/Native lifeways will be of particular interest given the Department's institutional and geographic location.

The teaching load is two courses per semester. Teaching responsibilities will include undergraduate and general education offerings, as well as curricular design, program innovation, and the possibility of teaching graduate courses in affiliated programs across campus.

The Department of Public & Applied Humanities is one of 18 units in the University of Arizona's College of Humanities, and the Department's BA in Applied Humanities currently has six emphasis areas students may choose from: Business Administration, Fashion Studies, Game Studies, Public Health, Rural Leadership & Renewal, and Spatial Organization & Design Thinking.

The Department partners with other units on campus to deliver these emphasis areas, and the preferred candidate will have interest in one or more of these areas, or interest in establishing additional emphases.The Department strongly supports the University's diversity and inclusiveness strategic initiatives, which are designed to create an inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students. The successful candidate is expected to support diversity and inclusiveness efforts in the Department and the University.

Outstanding University of Arizona benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; University of Arizona/Arizona State University/Northern Arizona University tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to University recreation and cultural activities; and more.

Accepting a new position is a big life step. We want potential candidates and their families to be able to make informed decisions. Candidates who are considering relocation to the Tucson area, and have been offered an on-site interview, are encouraged to use the free services offered by Above & Beyond Relocation Services (ABRS) . Ask your department contact to be introduced to ABRS prior to your visit.

The University of Arizona has been listed by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers in the United States and WorldatWork and the Arizona Department of Health Services have recognized us for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities
  • Maintain an active research agenda;
  • Teach two courses per semester;
  • Engage in Departmental, College, and University service and outreach;
  • Contribute to curriculum development and program building;
  • Recruit and mentor students;
  • Help develop and expand collaborations with community partners;
  • Contribute to University initiatives focused on fostering diversity and inclusive excellence, enhancing student engagement, and mentoring students including those from underrepresented backgrounds;
  • Participate in departmental and college-wide activities such as commencement.


Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
  • Outstanding research skills;
  • Diverse and demonstrated pedagogical knowledge and experience;
  • Superior communication and collaboration skills;
  • Knowledge of and experience with interdisciplinary and applied/public facing projects and programs.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Ph.D. or equivalent in hand at the time of appointment;
  • Demonstrated trajectory toward excellence in research, evidenced by publication in academic journals and books, sponsored research, and/or other suitable research and impact metrics in one or more of the specialization areas listed under the position summary;
  • Demonstrated excellence in teaching, as indicated by course evaluations, teaching awards, or other metrics in one or more of the specialization areas listed under the position summary.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Record of high quality research published in leading academic journals and presses;
  • Evidence of ability to secure external funding;
  • Demonstrated excellence with online/hybrid teaching; multimedia technology, and an aptitude for teaching with creativity and innovation;
  • Experience using innovative teaching methods and/or curricular design to effectively engage a diverse student body;
  • Evidence of innovative and multidisciplinary public facing and/or applied projects;
  • Experience with digital media production, maker spaces, art practice, or other forms of creative content development;
  • Interest and/or experience with digital humanities.