Associate Professor or Professor in Library and Information Science

The School of Computing and Information (SCI) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) invites applications for an Associate Professor or Professor (Tenured/Tenure Stream) whose interests reflect the intersection of storytelling, technology, and library and information science research.

We seek a scholar whose interests pertain to forms of storytelling and story as mediated, preserved, shared, observed, or created in digital forms and spaces. Potential areas of research include, but are not limited to, the following:

- preservation of and access to information and culture through digital narratives or technology-infused means

- evolution or erosion of trust in stories and information mediated by digital spaces and interactions, particularly through the influence of generative and agent-based AI

- ethical considerations and practices for research engagement and partnerships with historically marginalized or underserved communities and their traditions of storytelling

- story as shaped and shared within and by scholarly communication, digital infrastructure, and information behavior

- legal, ethical, and policy issues involving Indigenous data such as story, situated within traditional knowledge (TK), Indigenous knowledge (IK), and traditional cultural expressions (TCE) taxonomies; intersections of TK, IK, and TCE with technologies

- use of immersive and narrative interactions with rare, historical, or culturally significant materials

Research exploring storytelling facilitated via data, augmented reality, generative AI, digital curation, or assistive technologies would be well-aligned to University and School strategic goals, including It’s Possible at Pitt and Plan for Pitt 2028, which seek to lead and shape a better digital future.

At SCI, through our collective work, we aim to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society through initiatives in research, education, service, and engagement. We especially encourage applications from candidates with longstanding contributions in community-engaged scholarship, libraries, and archives, and from those who contribute, lead, and value diverse perspectives and lived experiences.

The recruited faculty member will be appointed in the Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship (ICDS). They will collaboratively shape directions for library and information science at SCI, which includes the possibility of additional faculty recruitment and administrative leadership. They should have the passion, interest, capacity, and network to lead and contribute to the national conversation about the future of library and information science.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral or terminal degree in a relevant field such as library and information science, information science, communication, or other related area.

• At least three years of teaching and curricular development in related areas, such as digital narrative, storytelling, library and information science, archives, or data.

• Established research, teaching, and service agenda demonstrated through evidence such as high-impact publication, book publication, advising of students to completion of doctoral degrees, successful grant awards, educational innovation, or community engagement.

• Strong record of professional engagement/contribution at the national level.

• Demonstrated ability to participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary research.

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in using digital methods in scholarship such as virtual reality, augmented reality, large language models, or natural language processing.

• Interest and capacity in taking on administrative leadership such as department chair. A track record of professional, department or university administrative roles.

• Interest and capacity for leadership at the national level in shaping the future of library and information science education, research, or practice. Prior experience and contribution to setting directions.

About the School of Computing and Information (SCI)

As Pitt’s newest School, SCI is a growing, interdisciplinary community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni dedicated to collaboratively transforming lives for a better digital future, from our community to the world. Since 2017, SCI has hired over 40 faculty members and continues to expand. We create transformative education and conduct research that enriches both individual and societal growth, powered by innovation and impact. We particularly seek candidates who share our values to create, nurture, and sustain an equitable, inclusive academic environment representative of society.

The Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship offers a Master of Library and Information Science, which has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). The Department has a history of thought leadership in producing MLIS graduates, which continues with a unique, innovative MLIS grounded in design thinking. ICDS faculty members contribute to interdisciplinary research scholarship and service in the School, University, and library and information science professions. The Department is a key contributor to data science through leadership in the Responsible Data Science Initiative. The Department also offers a doctoral degree in Library and Information Science. Doctoral graduates have received numerous prestigious placements in academia, industry, government, and other areas.

SCI is committed to the well-being of our community through its scholarship, education, and faculty development initiatives, including policies to promote a healthy work-life balance; programs to support the needs of two-career couples; and ongoing efforts to recruit, retain, and develop a diverse faculty. Candidates whose research, teaching, and service contribute to the representation of our campus and who have a demonstrated commitment to working with students from diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, research statement, an optional letter of commitment to representation, and the names of at least six recommenders. Candidates have the option to be notified before recommenders are contacted.

Application reviews will begin after January 15, 2025, with a deadline of March 15, 2025; applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Although there is flexibility, the anticipated start date is August 15, 2025.

Questions about the search and/or application status may be emailed to sci-recruit@pitt.edu.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a teaching statement, a research statement, optional letter of commitment to representation, and the names of at least six recommenders. Candidates have the option to be notified before recommenders are contacted.

Application reviews will begin after January 15, 2025, with a deadline of March 15, 2025; applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Although there is flexibility, the anticipated start date is August 15, 2025.

Questions about the search and/or application status may be emailed to sci-recruit@pitt.edu.