Assistant Professor in Games and Human Values

Assistant Professor in Games and Human Values

Details

The Division of Games at the University of Utah invites
applications for a tenure-line Assistant Professor in Games, with a
focus on games and human values, to begin July 1, 2027.

This hire is part of the PRESS PLAY Initiative (https://games.utah.edu/pressplay/),
a $25 million, multi-year investment by the University of Utah in
the faculty, facilities, and programs of the Division of Games.
PRESS PLAY is growing both our teaching faculty and our research
faculty, and new colleagues will help shape the next stage of games
education and research at the U.

We seek a scholar whose research examines the nature and value of
games and play. We are especially interested in candidates working
in the aesthetics and philosophy of games: the ontology of games,
the value of play in individual and social contexts, and how games
relate to other art forms, including digital and interactive art.
Relevant approaches include aesthetics and the philosophy of art
from the analytic tradition that complement our existing strengths
in that area.

The successful candidate will build an externally recognized
research program and will teach undergraduate and graduate courses
on games, which may include topics in aesthetics, ethics, the
philosophy of games, and/or critical play. They will mentor
graduate students and work with Division leadership and faculty to
strengthen the study of games as a cultural and human practice
across our curriculum. We welcome candidates whose work connects
with our collaborative efforts with the Department of Philosophy,
the Kahlert School of Computing, the College of Fine Arts, the
other units within the College of Architecture and Planning, or the
University's planned Institute for Digital Experience.

Necessary Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in philosophy, aesthetics,

or a related field related to the philosophy of games, by the start
date

• Broad knowledge of games as a medium and of game development

practice, sufficient to teach in-person courses across the
Division's undergraduate and graduate curricula on the Salt Lake
City campus

• Demonstrated depth of expertise in games and human values, the

aesthetics of games, and the philosophy of games

• Evidence of research productivity appropriate to career stage

and progression, such as publications in leading games, philosophy,
or aesthetics venues

• Demonstrated commitment to teaching and/or mentoring

undergraduate and graduate students in lectures, seminars, and/or
studio simulations

• Demonstrated potential to contribute to university and

professional service, such as collaborative curriculum development,
outreach to local industry and government partners, or
recruitment

Preferred Qualifications

• Research in the aesthetics of games, the philosophy of art, the

nature of play and interactivity, or the value of games

• An understanding of game development practice, or experience

making games

• Experience using games as objects of critical analysis in the

classroom

• Ability to develop new courses in emerging areas of games

scholarship

About the Division

The Division of Games, in the College of Architecture + Planning,
is a world leader in games education, with consistently top-ranked
programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Utah
Games faculty includes artists, philosophers, games studies
scholars, designers, and computer scientists who collectively work
together on the mission to push the boundaries of what is possible
in games. This plurality of backgrounds is one of the core elements
within our identity. We strongly value inter- and transdisciplinary
approaches to research and education, and seek to foster
collaboration across the University of Utah. Currently, our faculty
sustain ongoing collaborations with other departments within our
College of Architecture and Planning, as well as the School of
Medicine, the Colleges of Education, Humanities, Science and
Engineering, and other campus partners. The University of Utah has
remarkable strengths between the Division of Games and the
Department of Philosophy targeting scholarship in the philosophy of
games. Additionally, we maintain strong collaborations with the
vibrant local game development community and other significant game
industry-wide partners.

Our unit is committed to being a responsible member of our campus
and professional community, and we strive to recruit and support
faculty committed to acting in furtherance of our unit's values.
Interested candidates may view these values by visiting https://games.utah.edu/utah-games-values/

If you are interested in joining us to build a culture of academic
excellence; to create ideas that advance our understanding of
games; to share those ideas with our students, communities, and
society; and to apply those ideas to change the world for the
better, we strongly encourage you to apply.

About the College of Architecture and Planning

The University of Utah College of Architecture and Planning (CA+P)
is a community of award-winning faculty, entrepreneurial students,
and support staff that together form a creative community unlike
any other. The College is home to four academic units: the School
of Architecture, the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning,
the Division of Games, and the Division of Multi-Disciplinary
Design, as well as multiple research centers and collaboratives.
Across these units are top-ranked academic programs, outstanding
researchers with a strong commitment to addressing defining issues
of our time, and a record of unsurpassed societal impact. As part
of a campus that values innovation and interdisciplinarity, the
College is transforming its disciplines and training graduates to
become leaders and changemakers in the built and virtual
environments globally. More information is available at
cap.utah.edu.

About the University of Utah

The University of Utah is a Carnegie Research I institution located
in Salt Lake City, nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the
Wasatch Mountains. With thriving arts and culinary scenes, and an
exploding high technology sector, Salt Lake City offers a unique
mix of urban life juxtaposed with access to remarkable national
parks, ski resorts, hiking and climbing, and more, just minutes
away from campus.

Department: 01508 - Games

City: Salt Lake City, UT

Track: Tenure Track

Close Date:

Open Until Filled: Yes

Requisition Number: PRN01602CF

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/211449

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience
working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment
to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon
request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law.
Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process
will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does
not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion,
national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender,
gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related
conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The
University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the
education program or activity that it operates, as required by
Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate
in education programs or activities extends to admission and
employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its
regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the
Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or
someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual
misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the
Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity
and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title
IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and
telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

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