Assistant Professor of Social & Digital Media in Journalism

The School of Journalism and Strategic Media (SJSM) in the Fulbright College of Arts and

Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Social and

Digital Media in Journalism to start in August 2027. This is a standard nine-month faculty appointment.

SJSM seeks a scholar of Social and Digital Media with familiarity of the professional practice of social and digital

media in journalism. SJSM is particularly interested in candidates whose areas of focus expand into any of the

following: strategic communication, digital and platform cultures, media audiences and engagement, online

communities, influencers and creators, digital advertising and public relations, algorithms and platforms,

artificial intelligence and media, misinformation, or the social and cultural implications of digital media.

The successful candidate will maintain an active program of research and/or scholarly/creative activity and

contribute to the School's undergraduate and graduate curricula. Teaching responsibilities may include existing

courses in social and digital media as well as courses in the candidate's areas of expertise across the School's

journalism, multimedia, and advertising/public relations programs. The successful candidate will have

opportunities to develop new courses that complement and expand the School's curriculum in social and digital

media.

The position carries a 2-2 teaching load and includes requirements for research and service.

Faculty hired in this position will have an opportunity to be a part of Fulbright College’s multidisciplinary

Democracy as a Public Good cluster hire at the University of Arkansas. Through its Democracy as a Public Good

Initiative, the College will advance the University’s land-grant mission by expanding capacity to generate

knowledge that informs public understanding, contributes to policy and practice, and connects Arkansas to

national and international conversations about societal good. Building on existing campus expertise in issues

ranging from norms of democratic communication, free speech, media ethics and literacy, humanitarian

governance and civil society, risks that AI poses to democratic governance, immigration, and public law, new

faculty members participating in the cluster will advance their research agendas through mentoring and

opportunities for collaboration—both with other scholars and with communities in the state—that may result in

peer-reviewed publications, external funding, and new approaches to the pressing challenges that democracy

faces. The successful candidate for this position will have an opportunity to join a community of scholars

committed to confronting major issues, generating new knowledge, and providing research-based solutions that

investigate and strengthen democratic culture for people living in Arkansas and beyond.

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 School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas is fully accredited by ACEJMC,

offering a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with concentrations in Broadcast Journalism, Journalism, and

Multimedia Storytelling and Production, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations. SJSM

also offers a Master of Arts in Journalism and Strategic Media – in total serving about 1,000 undergrads and

grads in AY25-26.

Duties will include:

• 40% Teaching or Professional Performance
• 40% Research/Scholarly and/or Creative Activities
• 20% Academic Service Activities

Minimum Qualifications:

• A terminal degree in journalism or a media-related field from an accredited institution of higher

education conferred by the date of initial appointment.

• At least two years of professional, research, or relevant experience in digital journalism, digital and

social media advertising, and public relations.

• Evidence of, or a demonstrated potential for, an active research agenda and/or scholarly/creative

activity related to social media, digital media, or related areas of media and communication.

• A demonstrated ability to develop and deliver course content related to social and digital media in faceto-face and/or online environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least five years professional journalistic experience in digital and social journalism, digital and social

media strategies for news and/or strategic media, social media influencing.

• Significant experience in the fast-changing world of social media and related digital media.
• Experience with online teaching and educational technology, including in writing Open Education

Resource texts to be used across course sections by other faculty.

• A strong record of successful publication and external funding in the thematic and/or methodological

areas of the position focus.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Completed applications received by October 15, 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, Raymond McCaffrey, at rmmcaff@uark.edu.

For a complete position announcement and information regarding how to apply, visit:

https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UAF_External_Career_Site/details/Assistant-Professor-of-Socialand-Digital-Media-in-Journalism_R0091587-1?q=R0091587

Applicants must submit:

• A curriculum vitae
• A cover letter/letter of application
• A statement of teaching philosophy, which may include evidence of teaching effectiveness (not to

exceed three pages)

• A list of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number) willing to provide

letters of recommendation if requested during the application process

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

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.

EMPLOYER INFORMATION

The University of Arkansas: Founded in 1871 as a land grant institution, the University of Arkansas is classified

by the Carnegie Foundation among the top two percent of universities in the nation with the highest level of

research activity. Ten colleges and schools serve more than 27,100 students with more than 200 academic

programs. University of Arkansas students earn nationally competitive awards at an impressive rate and

represent 50 states and more than 120 countries. The University of Arkansas is committed to providing an

educational and work environment in which thought, creativity, and growth are stimulated, and in which

individuals are free to realize their full potential.

Fulbright College: The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is a vital public good. We provide a

transformational education that prepares all students to lead and thrive in a complex world. Our research,

scholarship, and creative expression address society’s great challenges and push the boundaries of human

understanding. As the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus, with 3 schools, 16 departments,

and 43 academic programs and research centers, Fulbright College brings the world to Arkansas and Arkansas to

the world.

The Community: Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas campus and is known for its spectacular

views and ample green spaces. Fayetteville is considered one of the country’s finest college towns, and the

surrounding northwest Arkansas region is regularly ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. Some of

the nation’s best outdoor amenities and most spectacular hiking trails are within a short drive of campus.

For more information, visit: https://diversitynwa.com/

Culture in Northwest Arkansas

About Fayetteville

About University of Arkansas

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. Federal law prohibits the University from

discriminating on these bases. 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.