Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, ASU

The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (HDSHC) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on the Tempe Campus of Arizona State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position as Assistant Professor who will be required to teach in-person on the Tempe campus with an anticipated start date of August 2024. Applicants who are or will be at the Assistant Professor level in August, 2024 are encouraged to apply. 

Applicants’ scholarship and teaching should focus on intercultural communication. Salary will be competitive based on qualifications. We encourage applications from scholars who work at the intersection of intercultural communication and Indigenous/ Black/ Disability/ Latinx/ Queer studies, and/or are invested in one or more of the following: transnational, international/global, interracial, interethnic, and/or intergroup communication. 

HDSHC, one of the premier schools for studying human communication, offers interdisciplinary Ph.D., M.A., B.A., and B.S. degrees in communication studies. Based on research productivity measured by the Communication Institute for Online Scholarships, the Hugh Downs School is ranked in the Top 10 nationwide in the following areas: Intercultural Communication (6th) Interpersonal Communication (7th) Marriage & Intimacy (5th) Sexuality (6th) Organizational Communication (8th) Nonverbal Communication (10th). HDSHC faculty members and graduate students of intercultural communication (and related domains), embrace diverse theoretical, methodological and paradigmatic lenses, and study a variety of research topics, including communication technology (AI, IoT, Social Robotics); critical and cultural studies; Indigenous and decolonial approaches; performance studies; religion and spirituality; conflict communication and intercultural dialogue; migration and diaspora; identity, class, gender, sexuality and intersectionality; inequalities and disparities; social change communication; activism and advocacy; climate change and the anthropocene. The school actively collaborates with other units and centers at the university, including the following: Hispanic Research Center, Latina/os and American Politics Research (CLAPR), American Indian Policy Institute, Center for Indian Education, Center for Asian Research, The Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian & East European Studies, Black African Coalition and the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic faculty working to advance innovative research and excellence in teaching through their efforts with a diverse and growing undergraduate and graduate student population at Arizona State University. The School’s mission is to produce cutting edge and interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching that responds to pressing issues in the world today.  We invite you to learn more about the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication and Arizona State University by visiting https://humancommunication.clas.asu.edu/ and https://newamericanuniversity.asu.edu/, respectively.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain a rigorous research program; teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels; contribute to curriculum development and graduate advising; serve on school, college, and university committees; and provide service to the school, professional associations, and the community.     

Department Statement

A uniquely collaborative group, in 2019 the HDSHC completed a School-wide program review that showcased their notable breadth of teaching and research, collegial and interdisciplinary nature, and outlined shared strategic aspirations for the coming years. The HDSHC comprises 25 distinguished core faculty recognized for teaching and research excellence in areas of Human Communication including: intercultural, health, interpersonal, organizational, rhetoric/public communication, and performance studies. Our degree programs offer students a range of in-person and online pedagogical opportunities. The HDSHC faculty benefit from the use of laboratory facilities, computer resources, project support, grant development support, and The Empty Space performance venue.

ASU’s location offers the resources of a major metropolitan area (5+ million) in a state with spectacular natural scenery and recreational areas, sublime winters, and a culturally rich population. Arizona, the Grand Canyon state, is home to 22 Sovereign Native Nations that comprise 27% of Arizona’s total land base. Arizona State University's four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. The school values Arizona's distinctive cultural heritage and diversity; the school respectfully recognizes the legacy and contributions of Indigenous, Latinx, Black communities as well as people with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, age, disabilities, veteran status, nationalities and intellectual perspectives.

Learn more about the HDSHC and ASU at https://humancommunication.asu.edu/ and https://newamericanuniversity.asu.edu/, respectively. Learn more about what The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has to offer by visiting https://thecollege.asu.edu/faculty. In recent years ASU emerged as a global leader for its commitment to inclusive excellence, access and impact; e.g., in 2022, ASU named a Hispanic-Serving Institution by US Department of Education, currently ASU is the No. 1 public university in US for hosting international students; this year, ASU partnered with US Africa Institute to advance college access for Black students.

Minimum Qualifications

● Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field by the time of appointment

● Record of scholarship (research and/or creative activity) and teaching focused in intercultural communication

● Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter 

Desired Qualifications

● Research and teaching focus on intercultural communication, including one or more of the following: (a) intergroup, interracial/interethnic, transnational, global, and/or international communication, (b) work at the intersection of intercultural communication and Indigenous/ Black/ Disability/ Latinx/ Queer studies

● A strong record of scholarship in the applicant’s area(s) of specialization commensurate with years of experience            

● Evidence of excellence in teaching in intercultural communication and additional area(s) of specialization at the undergraduate and graduate level

● Evidence of use-inspired, community embedded research, local and global engagement and/or principled innovation as they unfold in multiple settings and contexts

● Evidence of activities related to seeking funded research commensurate with years of experience

● Evidence of activities related to mentoring excellence for graduate and undergraduate students’ independent research projects commensurate with years of experience

● Ability to contribute to research and teaching in one or more of the School’s research collaboratives: Intercultural Communication and Global Engagement (ICGlobal), The Intersections of Civil, Critical, and Creative Communication (I4C), The Transformation Project, Health Communication Initiative, or the Center for Strategic Communication 

● Potential to foster collaborations with other units in the University

● Potential to foster a culture of collegiality and transparency among a large and diverse faculty and staff

● Evidence of commitment to service to the university, discipline, and community commensurate with years of experience           

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following:

1. A cover letter specifying interest in the position and how qualifications match the required and desired qualifications

2. Curriculum vitae

3. Evidence of excellence in teaching (e.g., syllabi, teaching evaluations)

4. Evidence of excellence in scholarship (e.g., reprints of no more than three articles or book chapters)

5. A list of three references (including, their names, affiliations, and contact details), who may be contacted at a later date

All the aforementioned documents to be submitted through Interfolio.

Application materials should be sent electronically using this link: https://apply.interfolio.com/132652 

Applications received by October 22, 2023 will receive full consideration. If not filled, applications will be evaluated every week thereafter until the search is closed. 

For additional information:

Email search committee chair: Dr. Uttaran Dutta at Uttaran.Dutta@asu.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. ASU’s full nondiscrimination statement (ACD 401) is located on the ASU website at https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX.

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.