Assistant Professor of Communication

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Communication and DemocracyThe Department of Communication in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the area of Communication and Democracy to start in August 2027. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment.Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation's top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations. The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation's strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life. As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.Competitive applicants will also demonstrate an ability to provide strategic direction and collaboration with our Center for Communication Research, as well as success in working with interdisciplinary research teams, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and engaging regional, state, and national funding agencies. Duties will include developing classes and teaching effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and providing service to the Department, University, and discipline. This is an in-person position. Most university classes are offered face-to-face, and extensive in-person engagement in such activities as office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential to advancing student success and departmental effectiveness. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.About the Department: The Department of Communication is committed to excellence in scholarship, instruction, and expression of human communication. We nurture a thriving intellectual community by bridging the humanities and social sciences. Discovery, learning, diversity, and engagement are the hallmarks of this community.Duties will include:40% Teaching or Professional Performance40% Research/Scholarly and/or Creative Activities20% Academic Service ActivitiesMinimum Qualifications:Terminal degree in Communication from an accredited institution of higher education conferred by the date of initial appointmentEvidence of an active research program in areas pertaining to rhetoric, dialogue, and deliberationDemonstrated experience and competency in the classroom related to coursework in communication and democracy, as evidenced in the CV and evidence of teaching effectivenessPreferred Qualifications:Research commensurate with institutions holding the highest Carnegie classification and with the level of appointmentEvidence of an interdisciplinary research programEvidence of potential to work with community stakeholdersDemonstrated experience conducting externally funded researchExperience teaching lower and upper-level courses in communication and aspects of democratic practiceKnowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):An ability to publish in top peer reviewed outletsStrong evidence of the ability to be an active, involved, and collegial member of a collaborative faculty team both on campus and in relevant national service organizationsRequired Documents to Apply:Cover Letter/Letter of ApplicationCurriculum VitaeList of three Professional References (name, email, business title)Other (see special instructions for details)Optional Documents:Proof of Veteran StatusRecruitment Contact Information:Dr. Lisa Corrigan, professor, View email address on click.appcast.io application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site do not send to listed recruitment contact.Special Instructions to Applicants:Completed applications received by October 10, 2026, will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position. For additional inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, Lisa Corrigan at View email address on click.appcast.io must submit: • A curriculum vitae• A cover letter/letter of application• Evidence of teaching effectiveness• A research statement• A list of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number)Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.Pre-employment Screening Requirements:Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender RegistryThe University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.Benefits Eligible: Yes