Associate/Full Professor of Media Law, First Amendment, Press Freedom

Associate/Full Professor of Media Law, First Amendment, Press
Freedom

Department: School of Journalism and
Communication

Rank: Associate or Full Professor (open
rank)

Annual Basis: 9 Month

Application Deadline

October 15, 2026; position open until filled

Required Application Materials

To ensure consideration, please submit application materials by
October 15, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.
Interested applicants should submit:

• Letter of Interest (Cover Letter): A cover letter that addresses

the candidate's qualifications for the Jonathan Marshall First
Amendment Chair. Applicants should describe their research,
teaching, and professional experience related to First Amendment
law, press freedom, media law, and other relevant areas of
expertise. The letter should also discuss the candidate's potential
contributions to the School of Journalism and Communication's
undergraduate and graduate programs, scholarly community, and
commitment to inclusive teaching, mentorship, and collaboration.
Candidates are encouraged to highlight any experience with public
scholarship, international or comparative perspectives, legal and
ethical issues related to emerging technologies, and other areas
relevant to the position.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): A current academic curriculum vitae that

details educational background, academic appointments, scholarly
publications, grant activity, teaching experience, professional
service, public engagement activities, honors and awards, and other
accomplishments relevant to the position.

• Contact Information for Three Academic References: Names, titles,

institutional affiliations, telephone numbers, and email addresses
for three professional or academic references who can address the
candidate's qualifications for a tenured/tenure-track appointment.
References will be contacted only for candidates who advance in the
search process.

Position Announcement

The University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication
(SOJC) seeks a recognized expert in First Amendment and/or press
freedom law to fill a tenured/tenure-track position as the Jonathan
Marshall First Amendment Chair. The position will be filled at the
rank of associate or full professor. The endowed Chair was
established to encourage teaching and research about press freedom,
with a special emphasis on constitutional protection of freedom of
speech and press and on the role of the press in a democratic
society.

In addition to a primary focus on the First Amendment and press
freedom, we seek candidates who have research and teaching
experience in media law broadly conceived, including those with
secondary expertise on issues related to privacy, intellectual
property, and/or platform regulation.

Candidates who bring an international or comparative perspective to
press freedom and speech law, whose research and teaching explores
legal and ethical issues related to emerging technologies, and/or
who engages or has the potential to engage in public scholarship
will be viewed positively.

The candidate will be expected to teach our required undergraduate
course in communication law as well as other courses in their area
of specialization. They will also teach and advise in the SOJC's
graduate MA and PhD programs and will contribute to a culture of
inclusive teaching and scholarly collaboration.

Department or Program Summary

The School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) is an accredited
research and professional school serving approximately 2,450
undergraduates and 150 graduate students both on the University of
Oregon campus in Eugene and at the UO Campus in Portland. Degrees
offered are the BA, BS, MA, MS, and Ph.D., as well as minors in
Media Studies, Game Studies, and Science Communication. The SOJC
employs approximately 125 individuals as faculty and staff, over 50
graduate employees as well as roughly 50 student employees. The
School is one of the oldest journalism programs in the nation,
founded in 1916.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in communication, media studies, journalism, law or another

related field, and/or Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or equivalent/terminal
degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., an SJD in Law)

• Subject matter expertise in First Amendment and/or press freedom

law, demonstrated through at least five years of relevant research,
teaching, professional practice, and/or scholarly publication in
the field.

• Subject matter expertise in media law, policy, and/or regulation

beyond First Amendment and press freedom law, demonstrated through
at least five years of relevant research, teaching, professional
practice, policy work, and/or scholarly publication.

Preferred Qualifications

• A record of scholarly accomplishment that includes publication of

peer-reviewed academic articles and/or books in communication,
media studies, journalism, law, information studies, and/or related
fields.

• Subject matter expertise in the intersection of legal issues and

emerging information and communication technologies including, but
not limited to, generative AI, immersive media (XR/VR/AR), and/or
digital platforms.

• Research and/or teaching experience applying comparative and/or

international perspectives to speech issues and/or media law.

• Focus on issues of bias, discrimination, inequality, justice, and

marginalization in the context of free speech and/or media
law.

• Record of excellence in teaching media law and related subjects,

including the ability to effectively teach undergraduate
communication law courses and contribute to graduate education
through instruction, advising, and mentorship of MA and PhD
students. Evidence may include curriculum development, teaching
awards, student mentorship, student evaluations, or other
indicators of instructional effectiveness.

• Successful mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students,

including guidance on research, academic achievement, and career
development.

About the University

The University of Oregon is the flagship institution of higher
learning in Oregon and enrolls more than 20,000 undergraduate and
3,600 graduate students. It is an Association of American
Universities member and Tier-One research institution that is
ranked "highest research activity" by the Carnegie Classification
of Institutions of Higher Education.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful
completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits
package to eligible employees, including health insurance,
retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about
benefits, visit our
website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution
committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified
individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any
protected status, including veteran and disability status. The
University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to
applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an
accommodation in connection with the application process, please
email us or call
541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender
expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions),
age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including
family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship,
service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state
law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of
leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities
and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable
laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy.
Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and
Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint
procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares
an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and
services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is
available
online.

To apply, visit https://careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/536652

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