Stony Brook University: Provost Office: School of Communication and Journalism
Location: School of Communication and Journalism and the University Libraries
Open Date: Dec 20, 2024
Deadline:Jan 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Description
The University Libraries and the School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ) at Stony Brook University invite applications for a Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth plus (PRODIG ) Fellow specializing in Critical AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AI literacy, helping to grow Stony Brook’s interdisciplinary commitment to research and education.
We are expanding our AI capacity and seeking candidates interested in research areas such as AI forensics, disinformation, and AI governance, as well as exploring the societal impact, ethical considerations, and innovative applications of AI technologies. The incumbent will support alignment between critical AI research and the Libraries’ practical AI implementations, helping to guide the development of ethical frameworks and governance policies for AI use in academic settings, while having access to real-world AI applications and use cases through the University’s growing AI initiatives.
PRODIG Fellows are full-time, 12-month, non-tenure-track faculty positions at the lecturer level to commence in Fall 2025. The fellow will be a part of a mentored research environment and, with successful performance and demonstrated contribution to inclusion, diversity, and equity, will be invited to join the tenure-track faculty at Stony Brook University after two years. The Fellow will receive a reduced teaching load (~50% of the typical teaching load for research-active tenure-track faculty) during the two-year initial appointment. Additional information on the PRODiG Fellowship can be found at https://www.suny.edu/prodig-plus/fellowship/.
We seek a scholar whose solutions-oriented research helps
identify how to investigate the effects of AI, algorithms, and/or data on
society, including but not limited to AI Forensics, Algorithmic Auditing, and
Ethical/Responsible AI. Ideally, the candidate’s research would show promise of
achieving extramural funding and engaging directly with fields such as
journalism, communications, libraries/archives, cybersecurity, and policy.
Scholars from various humanistic, social scientific, and computational traditions
are welcome to apply. Still, applicants should identify how their work connects
to one or more areas, such as journalism, information science, archival
science, digital preservation, mass communication, or communication and media
studies.
The fellow will be jointly appointed by the SoCJ and the University Libraries.
The fellow will contribute to the SoCJ’s undergraduate and graduate programs in
journalism, communication, mass communication, rhetorical studies, and science
communication, as well as the University Libraries’ upcoming AI literacy
courses.
The home department will be determined based on the candidate’s field/profile
and/or negotiations, with a 51% appointment in the primary department and 49%
in the other. Promotion and Tenure (P&T) will be managed by the primary
department with input from the secondary department.
As a public university dedicated to addressing society’s greatest challenges
through research and education, we understand a genuine commitment to
supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is key to academic excellence,
new discoveries, and societal change. Candidates should demonstrate personal,
academic, and/or work experience engaging with diversity, equity, and inclusion
and/or a commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and
inclusion efforts in the campus community. Such experience may include, but is
not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity,
equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/ unpaid/community service; or related
experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or
populations.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without a visa
sponsorship and must have a PhD or relevant terminal degree from an accredited
institution completed prior to start date. Preference will be given to
candidates who are: Current SUNY students, alumni, and/or Fellows; From a
low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates); were
first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a
bachelor’s degree); have overcome adversity; are AmeriCorps alumni; or are
veterans.
The PRODiG Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless
of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current
governing federal and state nondiscrimination laws. All application submissions
will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility
criteria.
Responsibilities:
Build and maintain a recognized program of critical AI research, scholarship, and
journalistic/library practice;
Work collaboratively to advance interdisciplinary work and publications;
Pursue extramural funding in alignment with SoCJ, Libraries, and campus
priorities;
Teach courses and design curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
Supervise undergraduate capstones and graduate thesis projects;
Develop policies around AI and align critical AI research and the Libraries’
practical AI implementations;
Advance the SoCJ and Libraries commitment to principles of diversity, equity,
inclusion, accessibility or justice, including mentoring and supporting our
diverse student body;
Provide meaningful service contributions both within and beyond the university.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Completed PhD (or foreign equivalent) degree from an accredited institution
prior to start date (9/1/2025) in communication, mass communication,
journalism, data science, library and information science, or in a relevant
field. A record of research or scholarly activity focused on the effects
of AI, algorithms, and/or data on society. Experience teaching at the
university level (classes, workshops, etc.). Demonstrated experience
advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility or justice through teaching,
research and/or service. Such experience may include, but is not limited to, an
academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion;
work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in
serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations. Eligible to
work in the United States without a visa sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications:
Evidence of or potential for excellence in research and service in AI
forensics, disinformation, and AI governance, as well as exploring the societal
impact, ethical considerations, and innovative applications of AI
technologies. Experience in graduate teaching or
mentorship. Experience with interdisciplinary
collaboration. Demonstrated track record of working on and/or seeking
extramural funding.
Application Instructions
Please, submit:
- Resume
- Essay: Please describe, in 750 words or less, how you’ve engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations.
All application materials must be submitted online. Please use the Apply Now button to begin your application. For technical support, please visit Interfolio’s Support Site (https://support.interfolio.com/) or reach out to their Scholar Service Team at help@interfollio.com or (877) 997-8807. For questions regarding this position, please contact Margaret Schedel at soj_recruitment@stonybrook.edu
Special Notes:
This is a non-tenure track position. FLSA excempt position, not eligible
for overtime provisions of the FLSA.
Anticipated Start Date: 9/1/2025
Stony Brook University, one of four researchintensive campuses within the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is widely regarded as its flagship. The University embraces its mission to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality, and its rankings bear that out. It’s included among the top 1% of universities in the world by the 2018 QS World University Rankings and among the top 40 public universities by U.S.News & World Report’s 2020 Best Colleges rankings. It is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, composed of the top 62 research institutions in North America. As Long Island’s largest singlesite employer, Stony Brook has nearly 15,000 full- and parttime employees, including more than 2,700 faculty. It enrolled roughly 26,800 students in fall 2019 — 17,900 undergraduate students and 8,900 graduate students — and offers more than 200 majors, minors and combined-degree programs. The Department of Athletics supports 18 Division I varsity intercollegiate athletic programs that compete at the highest level within the NCAA. Located approximately 60 miles east of Manhattan on Long Island’s beautiful North Shore, Stony Brook is situated on 1,454 wooded acres, encompassing 13 schools and colleges; a Research and Development Park; world-class athletics facilities, including an 8,300-seat stadium and a 4,000-seat arena; and Stony Brook Medicine, Long Island’s premier academic medical center. Also part of the University is a teaching and research campus in Southampton, New York, which offers graduate arts programs and is the site of the Marine Sciences Center. In addition, Stony Brook has a role in running, and performs joint research with, Brookhaven National Laboratory, the only Department of Energy Laboratory in the Northeast. Home to the Emerson String Quartet, the PollockKrasner House in East Hampton, NY, and the Humanities Institute, with endeavors that extend to the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya and the Ranomafana National Park in Madagascar, Stony Brook sustains an international reputation that cuts across the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.
The School of Communication and Journalism offers a variety
of graduate and undergraduate programs in mass communication, science
communication, and journalism that emphasize ethical, engaging, and inclusive
research and storytelling across media platforms. Students graduate with a
strong foundation in communication theory and research and gain practical
skills in digital media through hands-on courses and professional experiences.
The School is one of four inaugural Solutions Journalism Hub institutions. The
School’s undergraduate journalism program is accredited by the ACEJMC. It is
also home to the Colvin Center for International Reporting and the Center for
News Literacy and works in close collaboration with the internationally known
Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.
The University Libraries are integral to the university’s mission, serving as a
hub for collaboration, digital innovation, and open scholarship. We are
strategically positioned as a leader in AI on campus and nationwide, providing unparalleled
access to diverse resources and special collections. Our efforts in teaching
and research services align with the university’s strategic goals and make us a
vital resource for local, regional, and global communities.
Committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and
accessibility (DEIA), we uphold these values in our hiring, training, and daily
practices, celebrating differences and fostering an inclusive workplace.
The selected candidate must successfully clear a background
investigation.
In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our
crime statistics is available upon request by calling (631) 632- 6350. It can
also be viewed online at the University Police website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/police.
Application Process
This institution is using Interfolio’s Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and creating an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.
If you need a disability-related accommodation, please get in touch with the Office of Equity and Access at (631)632-6280.
Stony Brook University is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is safe, accessible, and free of all forms of discrimination, sexual misconduct, or research misconduct, among other infractions. In support of this commitment, certain candidates for employment will be required to disclose such employment-related misconduct findings and pending investigations or proceedings, and final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions will authorize their current and previous employer(s) from the last seven (7) years to disclose such information to the University. Employment is contingent on your full and complete disclosure on these matters. In the event that you fail to disclose any such matter or in the event of an unsatisfactory outcome of the disclosure and review process, an offer of employment may be revoked at SBU’s sole discretion. If SBU becomes aware of a failure to disclose or misrepresentation of any such matter after your employment commences, you may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.
