Assistant Professor of Practice

University of Mississippi • University, MS

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Southern Documentary Project (southdocs.org) is seeking an Assistant Professor of Practice in Documentary Expression with a focus on documenting African American experiences. This role is for critical storytellers whose creative work centers on Black American and African Diasporic cultures, histories, and identities, emphasizing informed practices and ethics. The ideal candidate will be a maker who honors lived experiences and models of co-creation in their media practice, with a demonstrated understanding of the Black media canon. SouthDocs, an institute of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, aims to tell stories from the U.S. South, increase civic and cultural engagement, and train future storytellers. This permanent, nine-month, non-tenure track academic position includes a 2+2 teaching load with a clear path for advancement and promotion. The university is located in Oxford, Mississippi, a vibrant community known for its literary, musical, and arts scene, and is ranked among the nation's fastest-growing institutions with R-1 Highest Research Activity.

Requirements

• Master of Fine Arts degree related to visual or audio storytelling, documentary studies, or other relevant fields.
• Teaching or instructional experience in lens-based media, audio production, documentary studies, or multimedia storytelling.
• Ability to work as a team member responsible for multiple duties in collaborative projects.

Nice To Haves

• Specific interest in documenting African American experiences.
• Creative work centers on Black American and African Diasporic cultures, histories, and identities through a lens of informed practices and ethics.
• Makers who honor lived experiences and models of co-creation in their media practice.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Black media canon.

Responsibilities

• 2+2 teaching load with advising responsibilities
• Work directly with students in the classroom and in the field.
• Create original documentary projects (individually and collaboratively) utilizing photography, audio, oral history, video, or mixed media.
• Ensure accountability for and ethical representation of people and places documented.
• Design and present technical and theory-based workshops or classes and provide constructive feedback related to documentary storytelling and related media.
• Engage community partners and build long-term relationships through impact-driven storytelling and programs.
• Lead and inspire conversations on campus and in the community with your work through exhibitions, panel discussions, film screenings, etc.

Benefits

• Permanent nine-month, non-tenure track academic position
• Clear path for advancement and promotion
• Equal opportunity in employment practice, education program, or education activity

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level