Assistant Professor in African American Writing

The Department of English at the University of Kansas (KU) invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of English specializing in 20th and 21st century African American literature and culture. We especially welcome approaches from gender and sexuality studies, postcolonial studies, digital humanities, environmental humanities, archival studies, rhetoric studies, and disability studies, as well as secondary expertise in global and diasporic black writing, including creative writing.

KU English faculty represent a wide range of work in English Studies including literature, literary history, creative writing, rhetorical studies, and cultural studies as well as interdisciplinary approaches. In addition to the programming created by our own Center for the Study of Science Fiction, we also work closely with allied departments and centers across campus, including the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Kansas African Studies Center, and the Langston Hughes Center. The Department also draws on the rich literary and cultural traditions of the Lawrence KS community, which has provided home and inspiration for generations of writers including Langston Hughes and William S. Burroughs.

KU English faculty are expected to teach graduate and undergraduate courses on topics related to their areas of specialization as well as more general courses that serve program needs. The ideal applicant should demonstrate the ability to create a welcoming classroom community in which all students are supported and able to succeed, and for contributing to a departmental culture of collective support and respect.

We are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive educational environment for all students, faculty, and staff. KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

40% - Teaching
Tenure-track faculty members are expected to teach two courses per semester.

40% - Research
Tenure-track faculty members are expected to conduct research in their specialization leading to publication in appropriate outlets, grant applications, and engagement with the larger field and public through conferences and lectures.

20% - Service
Tenure-track faculty members are expected to participate in appropriate professional activities, such as attending faculty meetings, carrying out departmental committee assignments, serving the College and KU as appropriate, and serving the profession as a reviewer for grant proposals and manuscripts, or as an officer of a professional society.

A complete application includes 1) a cover letter identifying professional interests and goals, 2) a curriculum vita, 3) research statement or writing sample, and 4) contact information for three professional references. If available, evidence of successful teaching should also be submitted.

All application materials must be submitted with the online application and addressed to the chair of the committee, Prof. Darren Canady.

Review of applications will begin on October 31st and continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Prof. Darren Canady
canady@ku.edu

Commensurate with experience

Thursday October 31, 2024

Monday August 18, 2025