Career Center

The new Department of Africana Studies at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville invites applications for a tenure-track, Assistant Professor position in Afro-Caribbean Studies to begin Fall Semester 2023. Although the process to convert the Africana Studies IDP into a fully-fledged, stand-alone degree will be an objective to complete, Africana Studies is a tenure-granting Department in the College of Art & Sciences. 

We seek an individual whose work focuses on Africana Studies and whose research agendas encompass a broad spectrum of scholarship and creative activity related to the Continent (and/or peoples) of Africa, the African Diaspora, and/or the African American experience(s). We encourage applications for this position from qualified individuals pursuing research agendas aligned with our Africana Studies academic unit, especially in one or more of the following concentrations, with respect to Afro-Caribbean Studies (listed alphabetically):

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technologies—the study of diverse technologies and science, and their impacts on the lives, culture, and futures of Africana peoples.
• Arts, Culture, and Expressions—the study of the arts, cultural influences, and expressions of peoples in the African Diaspora through creative works and innovation via literature, painting, sculpture, music, dance, performance, and linguistics.
• Health, Psychology, and Ecologies—the study of the human condition (physical and mental health and behavior) and the environmental living context of African-descended people around the world.
• History, Politics, and Societies—the study of the history and contemporary, sociopolitical experiences, outlooks, and engagements within the African Diaspora.
• Religion and Philosophies—the study of the diverse spiritual, analytical, and theological bases of thoughts, religious traditions, senses of meaning, and intellectual engagements for people in the African Diaspora.

The successful candidate must have strong research skills and a research agenda that will lead to publication in academic journals and/or books, and a commitment to excellent teaching and service. The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.

PhD in Africana/Pan African/African American and African Studies or another related field are preferred. Terminal degree is required by time of appointment.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Experience or demonstrated ability to design and deliver face-to-face and/or hybrid format courses
• Experience teaching one or more courses as the instructor of record at the undergraduate or graduate level
• Experience in -or- the potential to engage in service and mentorship to advance the department of Africana Studies

Applications will receive fullest consideration if submitted by priority deadline of November 15th. Selected candidates will be asked to participate in a preliminary virtual interview. Position will remain open until filled. Please submit the following materials to http://apply.interfolio.com/115581 .  Only electronic applications will be considered and acceptable.  File formats are .pdf or docx.:

1. A letter of application;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. List three references with contact information (reference letters solicited upon request of the Search Committee);
4. A research prospectus that includes how their research explores Afro-Caribbean Studies in one of the areas outlined above (writing samples solicited upon request of the Search Committee); and
5. A teaching statement.

Questions about the position should be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Bayyinah Jeffries (bjeffri4@utk.edu).

The position is a 9-month, tenure-track appointment, and salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. More information about the department can be found here: https://africana.utk.edu/.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state's flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society. To learn more about UTK see: https://provost.utk.edu/welcome-future-utk-faculty/.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone 865-974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.

About University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Our primary mission is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate the citizens of the state of Tennessee, the nation, and the world. As the preeminent research-based, land-grant university in the state, UT embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement attained by the nation’s finest public research institutions.

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