Assistant Professor

Performance Studies & African American Studies

(Tenure-Eligible)

The Departments of African American Studies and Performance Studies at Northwestern University invite applications to fill a tenure-track position in African Diasporic Performance. We seek a scholar with teaching and research interests in the social impact of performance in Africa, particularly sophisticated theories of how performance shapes lived realities, forges belonging, and declares being in the African political economy of West Africa. We are especially interested in scholarship that looks at musical forms and sound cultures as they intersect with political aspects of the black experience. In addition, the departments seek scholars whose work engages critical race studies and performance studies. The applicant's sub-field area of specialty is open. A Ph.D. in performance studies, music studies, theater studies, dance studies, gender studies, cultural theory, ethnomusicology, American Studies, or cognate area is preferred. While we are also open to various methodological approaches-i.e., historical, ethnographic, theoretical-an applicant who is also a practitioner would be particularly welcomed.

The position is a joint appointment between African American Studies within the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and Performance Studies within the School of Communication. In addition to maintaining an active research agenda, the successful applicant should demonstrate excellence in teaching and a willingness to advise and mentor both undergraduate and graduate students. The applicant should be prepared to teach undergraduate survey courses and courses in their research area. In addition, the applicant will be expected to teach core graduate-level courses in both departments, like research methods, as well as specialized PhD level courses in their research area. Both departments have top-ranked graduate programs, and the candidate will be expected to contribute to the departments' missions at the highest scholarly level. The incoming scholar would also have the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary initiatives across the campus, especially the Black Arts Initiative.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MFA, PhD, DMA, etc.) or equivalent professional experience in Theatre History
• Research agendas within the African Diaspora Studies tradition broadly defined and more specifically evaluating African Performance Theory, Performance Ethnography, African Popular Culture, Contemporary Dance in Africa, and Afrobeat Music
• University teaching experience
• Industry-focused training and experience in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives are highly desirable.

Duties:

• Teach courses in the area of African Diaspora Performance
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students with interests in African Performance Theory, African Popular Culture, Contemporary Dance in Africa, Women's Gender Studies and African and African Diaspora Studies

Salary: Competitive, depending on qualifications and experience.

Application procedure: Application materials will only be accepted via our online faculty recruiting system. Please including the following materials in your application: a cover letter describing your teaching, research interests and experience, a current vita, three letters of recommendation, any available work samples, teaching materials/portfolio (e.g., sample syllabi, student evaluations, and other records of course development), and other relevant materials. Forward questions to the Search Committee Chair, Professor Bimbola Akinbola. Please visit us online for more information about the Departments of Performance Studies or African American Studies.

The Schools: The School of Communication has five departments and offers a suite of interdisciplinary undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs. The departments span the communication arts and sciences including the Department of Radio-Television-Film, the Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Department of Communication Studies, the Department of Performance Studies, and the Department of Theatre. The faculty of over 180 includes 102 tenure-track faculty. The school offers instruction to roughly 1000 undergraduate majors and 650 graduate and professional students. Founded over 135 years ago, the School has been a leader in developing the communication disciplines and professions, and continues to be a center of excellence in the communication arts and sciences. Our current Dean is E. Patrick Johnson.

The Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive of Northwestern University's 12 schools. The College educates all Northwestern undergraduates, and its multidisciplinary depth and breadth create the intellectual foundation for the University's world-renowned graduate and professional programs. The College offers 47 majors and 55 minors that encompass the full scope of human endeavor - humanities, arts, mathematics, the natural sciences, and the social sciences - with an emphasis on critical thinking. Over 4,000 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students currently pursue their degrees within Weinberg. Many academic programs are interdisciplinary, bringing together experts from different departments to advance shared intellectual interests. The Dean of the School is Adrian Randolph.

The University: Northwestern University is one of the nation's largest private research universities. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, the main campus is in Evanston and the medical campus is 12 miles south in downtown Chicago. There is continuing expansion of University facilities and programs, particularly in the sciences and medicine. Diverse cultural, social, and recreational activities abound on and near each campus.

Applications accepted here: Apply for Job

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.