The Department of Journalism and Communication invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Media Law and Policy with a specialization in media and technology, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.
We seek a colleague whose scholarship will have a significant focus on the legal and policy implications of communication and media technology on a wide range of areas: from technology and global free expression, to Internet regulation, to artificial intelligence (AI), to technology and communication governance at the municipal, state, federal, and international levels, to name just a few. We welcome applications that engage with media law and policy from a variety of possible perspectives: legal studies and policy analysis; critical political economy; computational modeling and machine learning; rhetorical and discourse analysis; media sociology; historical analysis; or interdisciplinary approaches, though this list is not exhaustive.
The individual hired will be expected to teach the department’s required undergraduate course in Media Ethics and Law, and should be prepared to propose and teach electives, senior seminars and other offerings at the undergraduate level, in their areas of expertise. Tenure track faculty generally teach two classes each semester (our curriculum is available here). We are a department that blends skills training and conceptual learning, and the successful candidate will have the ability to teach classes that meet existing department needs. The successful candidate also will be expected to engage in scholarly activities, participate in departmental, college, university, and professional service.
The Department of Journalism & Communication has offered an undergraduate program of superior quality since 1927 and is dedicated to outstanding undergraduate education in journalism. We have nine full time faculty and are one of the larger departments within the College of Arts & Sciences. Alumni are in the top ranks of American journalism. With major and minor programs in journalism, and mass communication, the department has about 100 majors and minors at any given time. Department faculty possess a range of research expertise, particularly the foundational role of journalism and free expression in global democratic society; technological, professional and ethical change in the field; and the impact of emerging technologies. Faculty research utilizes a range of approaches—from psychological effects to cultural studies to media sociology to history. More information can be found on our department website.
Founded in 1865, Lehigh University has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. Recognized among the nation's highly ranked research universities, Lehigh offers a rigorous academic community for over 7,500 students. Lehigh University has some 5,800 undergraduates, 1,800 graduate students, and nearly 600 full-time faculty members. Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA, a vibrant and historic area. Over 840,000 people live in the Lehigh Valley, which is in close proximity to New York City and Philadelphia.
Qualifications
Candidates must have earned a terminal degree by the date of employment: either a PhD in journalism, mass communication, media studies, communication studies, information science, or a closely related field; or a juris doctor with an expertise in media or a related field. Candidates should also demonstrate evidence of teaching experience. Since candidates will be expected to produce and publish peer-reviewed research and/or public scholarship, they are also required to have a record of scholarly productivity, either in journal publication, book chapter publication, presentations at scholarly conferences, or other forms of published public scholarship.
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin on October 29 and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, however, applications should be received by that date. Applicants should submit their materials at https://apply.interfolio.com/173289. Candidates should submit the following materials:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement that describes past scholarly contributions and future research directions
- Teaching statement that describes instructional philosophy and courses that the candidate would want to teach or develop
- A statement on Contributions to Lehigh’s Principles of Our Equitable Community that describes how your experiences, knowledge, and skills prepare you to effectively contribute to a learning and research community that holds these principles at its core (the Lehigh ADVANCE Center’s guide for understanding and preparing such statements is available here)
- Three letters of reference will be requested before the Zoom interview should the candidate be selected for an interview.
Application Process
Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national origin (including shared ancestry), pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Lehigh University is committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse academic community and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching and/or service, to this mission. Lehigh University provides competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including domestic partner benefits, and supports faculty members’ work/life balance.