JOB: NYU Abu Dhabi, Visiting Faculty, Interactive Media

NYU Abu Dhabi is currently inviting applications for a full time, open rank, non-tenure track visiting faculty position in the Interactive Media program for the academic year 2019-2020, beginning classes in Fall 2019. The Interactive Media program is a newly established Bachelor of Arts major at NYUAD that combines art, interaction design, communications, computer science, and engineering. The program was established 6 years ago as a multidisciplinary minor, and is formally housed in the University’s Arts and Humanities Division but has broad reach across the University. The mission of the program is to foster the creative use of emerging technologies for communication and expression as well as to leverage the creative process as a means to engage in both theoretical and critical discourse.

We are looking for a practitioner-scholar who:

• Possesses an understanding of the aesthetic, cultural, social, political, and ethical implications of working with new communication technologies and emerging media
• Has experience working with computer programming, physical computing and prototyping, as well as writing for publication
• Can engage students in creative practice, critical scholarship, and research into new tools and modes of expression

The Interactive Media program is integrated into the NYUAD liberal arts experience and are interested in faculty who consider teaching an extension of their research. Inherent to the program’s values is an agility with regard to interactive media and its rapid evolution, and thus we welcome faculty who will contribute to the development of the curriculum.

Applicants who can teach the following will be favorably considered:

• Foundation classes that are theoretically focused and connect creative makers to historical and artistic modalities. These classes cover aspects of media studies, software studies, social policy, interaction design, research, and critical investigation
• Intermediate and advanced electives that emphasize theoretically-driven creative practice. Specific topics include critical and research-based arts practices, data journalism, issue-based learning, speculative design, and instructional design
• Senior capstone seminar and senior capstone project work

Across the program, Interactive Media faculty focus on experimentation and production both inside and outside of the classroom. Our approach to learning relies more on collaboration rather than competition so as to cultivate an accessible environment in which playful exploration, critical analysis, risk-taking, and failure can freely occur. While our foundation classes emphasize reading and writing, they are run in a workshop-like environment facilitating active learning and encouraging discussion of concept, content, technique and impact. Engaging with students beyond class time in the program’s lab space through project assistance, personal direction, and community activities is key.

Good interpersonal skills to collaborate with colleagues and actively interact with students in a multicultural education setting are highly desirable. Connection or experience with the region is also a plus. Applicants from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Candidates for this position should hold a terminal degree such as an MFA, MPS, PhD or equivalent, University-level teaching experience and a strong record of professional achievement is preferred. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, two syllabi for courses you would be inclined to teach, and a list of two references.

The terms of employment are highly competitive, and include housing and relocation assistance. Appointments, which are dependent on final budgetary approval, are for one academic year. The NYUAD academic calendar typically starts the last week of August and ends in the last week of May. Candidates must be willing to relocate to the UAE in time for the beginning of the semester. Visiting faculty (if not retired) must be able to obtain leave of absence and a letter of no objection from their home institution. The appointments are potentially renewable, depending on the needs of the institution.

The deadline for this application is April 15, 2019. Due to the high volume of applications, only those selected for interview will be contacted. If you have any questions, please e-mail nyuad.artsandhumanities.positions@nyu.edu.