Assistant Professor of Public Policy

The Department of Public Affairs at Roanoke College invites applications for a tenure track position open rank position, pending final approval, with a broad focus on public policy and ability to cover policy topics from both U.S. and global perspectives. The position will serve existing programs in the department and will support building our newly created, interdisciplinary, Public Policy program, including a major and a minor. The intended start date is August 2024. This is a full time, tenure track position, with a teaching load of up to eight courses during the academic year. Reassigned time is possible for advising, pedagogical and professional development, service, and for tenure track assistant professors, within institutional procedures and guidelines. We especially seek candidates who have a passion for teaching and mentoring undergraduates, embrace inclusive and innovative pedagogies, translate their research endeavors into learning opportunities for students, and have an interdisciplinary mindset. Advanced ABDs will be considered.

We seek candidates who have a public policy focus and who can offer courses such as Issues in American Politics and/or Issues in Global Politics, Politics and Public Policy, Policy Analysis, and Research Methods, along with courses on topics related to their own research agenda (e.g., Education Policy, Human Rights Policy, Health Policy). The successful candidate will also contribute courses to the General Education (Intellectual Inquiry / INQ) curriculum. Theoretical perspective is open and, while the geographic focus of the candidate’s expertise is also open (local, state, federal, international), their courses will cover several of these levels, including international. Methodological approach is also open, but familiarity with survey analysis will be considered an asset.

A unique feature of this position is its potential association with the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research (IPOR) at Roanoke College, which conducts regular surveys on political, social, and economic issues throughout the state of Virginia. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in the design, implementation, and analysis of survey data, along with interpretation of the results for the general public. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to participate in the activities of the Roanoke College Center for Policy, Ethics, and Law, which supports and capitalizes on community partnerships and collaborations in the region.

The Public Affairs Department administers majors in Political Science, International Relations, Criminal Justice, and Public Policy. In addition to excellent teaching and collegiality, the Public Affairs Department supports active professional participation and research. Faculty in the department are eligible to receive departmental funds and to apply for the College’s various internal grants in support of their research and teaching. Assistance for pursuing external grants is also available.

Roanoke College is a nationally ranked residential liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran Church (ELCA), located in the beautiful Roanoke Valley of Virginia. A Phi Beta Kappa institution, Roanoke College is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its faculty, staff, and students; members of under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply. We seek candidates with interests in mentoring under-represented students, diversifying curricular offerings, or sponsoring diverse community engagement. Applicants are asked to address their potential contributions in support of a diverse community in their cover letters.

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• A cover letter

• A curriculum vitae

• A teaching statement (and teaching evaluations if available)

• A research statement

• A statement regarding the role of and applicant’s experience with diversity in their research, teaching, and service

• Unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts if available

Review of applications will begin February 26, 2024. All completed applications received by that date will be given full consideration, but review of applications will continue after that date, until the position is filled. After the initial review of applicants, three reference letters will be requested.

Questions about the position may be sent to adminpublicaffairs AT roanoke DOT edu. Please visit our Departmental website at: https://www.roanoke.edu/inside/a-z_index/public_affairs for more information.