Job Description

As part of an applied theatre initiative in the theatre program and a university-wide Destination Area investment, the and the at Virginia Tech seek a colleague in Applied Theatre and Community Engagement (preferably with a focus on health outcomes). The successful candidate will teach both theatre courses and courses that employ applied theatre to develop capacities in a range of graduate students who are conducting research in scientific, medical, and technical disciplines, will develop curricula focused on arts-based approaches to transdisciplinary collaboration, and will work with Public Health colleagues to envision and implement public engagement studios. This will be a nine-month, academic year position with tenure home in the School of Performing Arts in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design.

This position is closely associated with the Destination Area's initiative supported by the Office of the Provost. This effort seeks to educate and train a new generation of scientists with transformative technical and professional skills to form convergent teams that can protect and empower humans by anticipating future outbreaks and preventing them from becoming pandemics. Skill-building practices in connection, communication, and collaboration will prepare team members for effective engagement with communities. The successful candidate will be expected to participate in the activities of this initiative, including collaborating on research projects and proposals and co-mentoring students and post-doctoral fellows. They will, through this work, support the university's intention of becoming a leading global research institution.

The successful applicant will also serve as research director in the Center for Communicating Science and will assist in the development and assessment of community outreach activities. It is expected that the successful faculty colleague will be engaged in national and international initiatives, and arts-integrated translational communication, and convergence related grant activity (NEA, NIH, NSF). The faculty will focus on arts practice, research, and teaching related to applied theatre arts and civic engagement (the many ways that people experience a sense of belonging and commitment within their communities, and the ways these experiences can lead to social or behavioral change). External funding is not a requirement, but the likelihood of external funding is part of the initial consideration.

About the School of Performing Arts: The School of Performing Arts (SOPA) joins the School of Architecture, School of Design, and the School of Visual Arts in comprising the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD), which launched in July 2022. SOPA offers programs in music, theatre, and cinema at the graduate and undergraduate level. Programs are delivered in Virginia Tech's Creativity and Innovation District, which concentrates 11 performance spaces within a three-block area on the Blacksburg campus. Performance venues range from the 1,300-seat Moss Arts Center to a 101-seat experimental theater.

The theatre program at Virginia Tech is committed to education, training, and experience in the transformative power of the performing arts for students across the university. Our work, in the classroom and in practice, develops professional competencies for students and builds character and community spirit while catalyzing conversations about relevant issues in society.

The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech affirms our collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the polyculturalism of our world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are truly safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. Our commitment is to continually and proactively engage in these processes for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college and the communities around the world we aim to serve.

About the Center for Communicating Science: The Center for Communicating Science uses the tools of theatre and arts practice to support graduate students and researchers in non-arts disciplines as they develop their abilities to innovate, communicate and collaborate.

Required Qualifications

We believe that representation is important, and we seek applicants who can serve as role models for our increasingly diverse student population.

Applicants must have received a terminal degree (MFA or PhD) by the start of the appointment, have significant experience in higher education teaching, and a record of community engagement initiatives focused on applied theatre, applied improvisation, devising, and/or collaboration across disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

Successful pursuit of grants or extramural funding
Evidence of successful professional collaborations
A strong record of publication and/or presentation

Application Materials

A completed application will include:

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of application discussing particular qualifications relative to the position and a commitment to a career that combines research, outreach, and teaching
• Three professional references
• One-page personal statement of teaching philosophy including the candidate's ideas for supporting an equitable and inclusive educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech . Specific examples of experiences, activities, and plans will help us identify candidates who support our college's aim to sustain an equitable climate and extend our university's commitment to inclusive excellence.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with rank, experience, and credentials

Review Date

January 10, 2024 - review of candidate submissions will commence on this date and continue until the position is filled

Additional Information

This 9-month position will qualify for summer funding as long as the Destination Area requirements are included in the focus of the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.