The Department of Africana Studies at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville invites applications for an Associate Head of Africana Studies at the level of Associate or Full Professor. Africana Studies has over a 50-year history on UTK's campus and recently transitioned to a fully-fledged department with tenure-line faculty and a major, minor, and graduate certificate. The Department seeks a senior colleague to work in concert with the Department Head in leading the operations and future directions of the growing unit. Most importantly, we seek a colleague who will help propel Africana Studies at UTK into a leading department nationally and globally through world-class scholarship and teaching.  

With an anticipated start date of August 1, 2024, we seek an individual whose work focuses on Africana Studies and whose research agenda may encompass a broad spectrum of scholarship and creative activity related to the Continent (and/or peoples) of Africa, the African Diaspora, and/or African American experiences.  

This sole appointment position will provide the opportunity to teach cross-listed courses and affiliate with other academic units/ programs in the faculty member's areas of scholarly interest

(e.g., English, Global Studies, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Women, Gender, and Sexuality, World Languages and Cultures). 

UTK is a land-grant university and values engaged forms of research/scholarship/creative activity, teaching and service, and considers evidence of these commitments in the records of applicants. 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. 

The university offers many resources for social science and humanities scholars, including book proposal and manuscript workshops, humanities center fellowships, and an office of research with a proven track record of helping social science and humanities faculty secure nationally competitive grants. The University's campus is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, with easy access to miles of inland waterways, pristine state and national parks, diverse cultural opportunities, and a blend of convenient urban and rural living settings. Downtown Knoxville, adjacent to campus, is a thriving neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops, and indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, and is home to the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Opera Company, annual international festivals, such as the Big Ears Music Festival, and seasonal and weekly events such as Jazz on the Square, Shakespeare on the Square, and the Farmers Market. UT is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.  

Required: 

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

  Preferred: 

·         Evidence of leadership experience 

·         Evidence of experience building a department 

·         Experience mentoring junior faculty (tenure-track and non-tenure-track) 

·         Evidence of experience of community engagement 

Candidates for Associate Professor should have tenure at their current institution, a strong publication record, national research recognition, excellent teaching practice at all levels, adequate service experience, and strong leadership potential. Candidates for Full Professor should have a current rank of Professor or advanced Associate Professor at their current institution, an outstanding publication record, international research recognition and reputation, substantial involvement in graduate and/or undergraduate research, and strong leadership skills. 

Applications will receive fullest consideration if submitted by priority deadline of January 15, 2024. Selected candidates will be asked to participate in a preliminary virtual interview.  

Position will remain open until filled. Please submit the following materials. http://apply.interfolio.com/134006. Only electronic applications will be considered and acceptable.  File formats are .pdf or docx.: 

1.      A letter of application;  

2.      A curriculum vitae;  

3.      Contacts for three letters of reference;  

4.      A research statement that includes how their research explores Africana

      Studies; and 

5.      A teaching statement. 

In addition to addressing their qualifications for the position in their application, candidates may describe how they would help promote students' access to and inclusion in their teaching and research/scholarship/creative activities. The successful applicant should have a track record of sustained, scholarly productivity, including but not limited to, a consistent record of peer-reviewed publications or book authorship, leadership experience, a strong and successful graduate and undergraduate teaching and mentoring record, and an exemplary record of service to their University, profession, and living communities.  

Questions about the position should be directed to Nanette Rodgers (nrodgers@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. Requests for accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equity & Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or oed@utk.edu or (865)974-2498. 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 Investigation & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 E.J. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.

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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