Wolzien Visiting Professor of the Practice in Research Informed Communication

As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 5,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Most of our departments, programs and schools offer masters or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The diverse scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society.

The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Denver offers students a robust understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society. With its emphasis on developing strong communication skills across various platforms and its grounding in the critical evaluation of media practices, the department’s offerings prepare students for the pursuit of excellence in the constantly evolving media, film, strategic communication, and journalism professions. The Department offers undergraduates degrees in film studies and production, journalism studies, media studies, and strategic communication (public relations/affairs, health communication, and political communication). At the graduate level, the Department offers a Master of Arts in media and public communication (strategic communication or media and globalization emphasis) and a Master of Arts in international and intercultural communication.

Position Summary

The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies invites applications for a nine-month appointment as the Wolzien Visiting Professor of the Practice in Research Informed Communication. The person hired in this position will teach three courses over three quarters at the University of Denver. The department seeks an accomplished professional and/or scholar in political communication, health communication, or strategic communication. The candidate should possess national/ global experience and an understanding of issues facing media . Also critical is a commitment to championing inclusion, diversity, access, innovation, research, and public engagement. Typically, the Visiting Professor would be expected to take a leave from their daily work duties and devote themselves to teaching, mentoring, and being involved in the DU community. However, applicants who have ongoing “projects” involving professional work that would inform their teaching and who would be willing to involve students in their projects are strongly encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will teach three face-to-face in person courses over three quarters during the 2026-2027 academic year. Two courses will be in their area of specialty and will be delivered to MFJS majors (e.g., Global Health and Development Communication; Strategic Communication Planning, Messaging or Seminar; Media and Politics; Audience Research Methods; Social Media Strategies; Health Communication; Global Communication etc.); and one general course will be open to undergraduates from across the University and will focus on common curriculum requirements or the collection, analysis, and presentation of information to a range of audiences. Candidates are also encouraged to propose special topics based on their area of expertise.

Prior teaching experience at the college level is not required.

The department will provide a graduate assistant to help with teaching and/or research.

The expectation is that the successful candidate will keep travel to a minimum, spending the bulk of their time in residence at DU. Visiting Professors are considered full-time faculty who are on campus most of the time, attend faculty gatherings, attend University events, and participate in intellectual and social life at DU.

Essential Functions

• Teach three in person, on-campus courses across 3 academic quarters;
• Regularly interact with DU students, faculty and staff through critiques of student work, guest visits to classes, and by serving as a career mentor to students.
• Supervise student experiential learning projects involving research informed communication in their courses.
• Deliver two public lectures focusing on their work, the state of their industry, or another important topic related to their area of expertise. They will also interact with University faculty from other disciplines and may guest lecture in other units, as determ