Assistant Professor, Social and Community Informatics

The School of Library and Information Studies at University of Oklahoma invites nominations and applications for a tenure-track faculty position to begin fall 2014 at the rank of Assistant Professor. The successful candidate will have responsibility for research, teaching, and service at the graduate and undergraduate levels and will be based at the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus.

The mission of OU SLIS is to provide excellence in education, preparing leaders for a diverse, highly technological, information-based global society; to engage in research and creative activities that generate new knowledge and applications for effective practice and that foster interdisciplinary approaches to address information challenges; and to meet the complex information needs of society through public and professional service. The School’s research, teaching, and creative activities focus on ethical use of information, intellectual freedom, open access, applications of information and communications technologies, and services to diverse and underserved populations.   

The School has two degree programs: an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information studies (MLIS) and a bachelor of arts in information studies (BAIS). Faculty members are located on two campuses, the main campus in Norman, and at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. Courses are delivered face-to-face and by interactive video at both locations and are distributed online to students across the United States and Canada. Students may complete both programs entirely online. Further information about the School is available at: slis.ou.edu

The faculty position is a nine-month appointment that is based on the Norman campus and includes teaching four courses each academic year.  The SLIS faculty employs a range of synchronous and asynchronous modalities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  We are seeking an individual whose research, teaching, and creative activities will contribute to OU SLIS’s long-standing tradition of ensuring equity of information access for all while forwarding a cutting edge program of social and community informatics.

Required Qualifications:

Requirements for the position include a completed doctoral degree in library and information science or a related field by the date of appointment, a record of published research or demonstrated research potential, the ability to work with multiple internal and external constituencies, and the ability to teach and develop courses related to social and community informatics.

Preferred qualifications:

Research and teaching emphasis in the area of information and communication technology (ICT) in relation to public information environments and their respective community’s social, cultural, economic, or other dimensions.  Interests in the digital divide, information policy, and ethics will be given additional consideration.  Experience or demonstrated ability in the design and delivery of courses in a variety of formats, including distance-learning modes is preferred.

Salary: 

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The University of Oklahoma offers an excellent benefits program.

Position available:

August 16, 2014.  Screening of applicants will begin immediately.  Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Application: 

Send application materials including letter of application, a statement of research interest, curriculum vitae, and three letters of reference via email to:  Kelvin White (kwhite@ou.edu) with a copy to Jenifer Fryar (jfryar@ou.edu).

Kelvin White, Assistant Professor

Chair, Search Committee

School of Library and Information Studies

University of Oklahoma

voice:  (405) 325-3921; fax:  (405) 325-7648

Norman, where OU is located, has been ranked among the best places to live in numerous surveys.  It has a vibrant art and cultural community, is very affordable, and is located close to major cities.  The campus is beautifully landscaped, is one of the most wired in the nation, and boasts of many top-ranked academic and athletic programs.”

The University of Oklahoma is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourages diversity in the workplace.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.