The Department of African American Studies at the University of California, Irvine invites applications for one faculty position whose research, teaching and service contribute to UCI’s Black Thriving Initiative and Faculty Cluster Hiring under the theme of “poetic justice.” Humanities research falling under this Cluster theme would amplify the inventiveness of poetic modes of thought across modern histories, genres, and philosophies to reorder conventional notions of justice. We are interested in candidates whose research demonstrate expertise in: 1) critical theories of racial slavery and modernity; 2) issues of translation, race and colonial languages; and 3) a global African American Studies beyond diasporic frameworks or comparative ethnic studies of race and colonialism. We have a particular interest in candidates whose research, teaching and service focus on social activism, arts and cultural movements, and the production of critical theoretical frameworks from African and African American liberation struggles.

Black authors, artists and other creative workers produce essential narratives, images and social practices that challenge systemic anti-black racism and affirm Black life and humanity. This position is part of a BTI Faculty Cluster Hiring Initiative on Poetic Justice, which mobilizes a whole university approach to transform UCI into the preeminent place of higher education where black and system-impacted students, faculty and staff thrive while producing new visions of social justice. Leveraging campus-level cultural infrastructure, including the Langson Libraries and Institute and Museum of California Art, the Poetic Justice initiative is a collaboration between the Departments of African American Studies in the School of Humanities; the Department of Art in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts; the Paul Merage School of Business; and the Department of Criminology, Law and Society in the School of Social Ecology. Faculty hired as part of the cluster will develop the Poetic Justice initiative, including innovating how we study the racial effects of slavery, segregation and mass incarceration; and leading community-based activities that support the economic and cultural well-being of black communities in Southern California and beyond.

Launched in 2020 during the racial reckoning, the UCI Black Thriving Initiative mobilizes the entire university to transform UCI into the nation's foremost destination for Black people to thrive as students, faculty, staff, and communities served by the university. To this end, it consists of three action platforms that seek to inform choices, decisions, and priorities as a great public research university. These are: change the culture, leverage the mission, and engage with communities. A major feature of BTI involves advancing understanding about the multifaceted Black experience and drivers of well-being in support of Black communities. The associated faculty cluster hiring program builds on and expands our shared values of diversity, equity and inclusion and commitment to social justice. Selected from a multi-year competition, the three BTI hiring clusters reflect the power and promise of interdisciplinary collaboration. They are: Environmental Health Disparities, Infrastructure Equity, and Poetic Justice. To accelerate and elevate the impact of the research, teaching, and service of participating and affiliated faculty, each cluster will receive dedicated programming support for three years. For more information, consult the BTI website: https://inclusion.uci.edu/action-plan/msi/uci-black-thriving-initiative/.

To ensure your application is given full consideration, files should be completed by January 6, 2023. Priority will be given to applications received by that date; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates must have completed a Ph.D. in a field related to African American Studies. The position will begin July 1, 2023 (teaching duties will begin Fall 2023). Applications must be uploaded electronically through the on-line Recruit system: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF07834Candidates should submit a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, representative publications, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation uploaded electronically. A separate statement that addresses past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion (e.g. mentoring activities, committee service, research or teaching activities) is also required. Guidance for writing this statement can be found here.

Please direct questions about this position to the chair of the search committee, Professor John Murillo at [email protected]. Questions about the Faculty Cluster Hiring in Poetic Justice can be directed to Professor Sora Han at [email protected].

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

Institutional Reference Check: The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence; where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. In support of this commitment, and as a means to address all forms of academic misconduct, UC Irvine will conduct an institutional reference check on recruitment finalists of Senate Ladder-Rank Professor and Professor of Teaching series, at all ranks (i.e. assistant, associate, full), prior to extending a formal offer of appointment. Applications submitted via AP Recruit must include a signed copy of the Authorization to Release Information Form for consideration.

Department: https://www.humanities.uci.edu/afamQUALIFICATIONSBasic qualifications (required at time of application)Ph.D. (completed by the start date of July 1, 2023)

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.Teaching Statement - See our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement.
• Teaching Evaluations - 3-4 Course Teaching EvaluationsInclusive Excellence Activities Statement - Statement addressing how past and/or potential contributions to inclusive excellence will advance UCI's Commitment to Inclusive Excellence.
• Please discuss your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if hired at UC Irvine through this Cluster initiative (for additional information on writing this statement, go to https://ap.uci.edu/faculty/guidance/ieactivities/Authorization to Release Information Form - A reference check will be completed only if you are made a tentative offer to a Professor or Professor of Teaching series, at any rank. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form: https://ap.uci.edu/wp-content/uploads/AuthReleaseForm.pdfMisc / Additional (Optional)Reference requirements3 letters of reference required
• Apply link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF07834CAMPUS 

INFORMATION

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.