Visiting Lecturer in the Humanities/Ferris Professor of Journalism

The Program in Journalism at Princeton University, and its academic home, the Council of the Humanities, welcome proposals from journalists to teach seminars in journalism and creative nonfiction as Visiting Ferris Professors of Journalism and Visiting McGraw Professors of Writing.

Full-time and part-time positions are available for one-semester terms: Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.

The Journalism program and the Humanities Council share a local and global vision that spans disciplines and borders. We view a strong, ethical, and representational press as essential to participatory democracy, and we champion innovation, public engagement, collaboration, diversity, inclusion, and access. Additional information is available at journalism.princeton.edu and humanities.princeton.edu.

Journalists from a range of backgrounds and media are encouraged to apply. Full-time Visiting Professors take a formal leave from daily journalism to devote themselves to teaching. They must be on campus four days a week, attend all faculty gatherings, and participate in University life. They give talks, participate in panels, advise students, and join in events. Part-time Visiting Professors must spend two full days on campus each week for the 12-week term, as well as during the week of Reading Period. Part-time professors are expected to attend faculty gatherings whenever possible.

Seminars meet once a week for three hours, with enrollment limited to 15. Students devote about six hours a week to class preparation. Every week or two, students submit assignments, which the professor critiques during mandatory one-on-one writing conferences. Professors often invite guest speakers and arrange a class visit to a newspaper or magazine.

Part-time appointments offer a salary of $37,500. Full-time appointments offer a salary of $75,000.

Please apply by October 1, 2024, for full consideration. The selection committee aims to complete its work by February 2025.

Applicants should submit a résumé or CV that includes recent publications, a proposal for a seminar, and a cover letter that describes their interest in teaching. Innovative and cross-disciplinary proposals are encouraged. Many seminars fall under one of these broad course rubrics:

Race, Politics, and the Media

Writing about Ideas (Philosophy, Law, Religion)

Seminar proposals should include:

Investigative Journalism

The Art of Reviewing (Books, Films, Popular Culture, Theater, Music, or Dance)

History in Journalism; Journalism in History

Data Journalism

Journalism, Public Health, and Medicine

Writing about the Environment

Covering Politics

International News

Audio Journalism

Visual Journalism

Please include the following with your application:

- One or two paragraphs about the focus of the course

- A short description for the course catalog (75 words)

- Specific topics for each of the 12 weeks of the course

- A sample reading list of no more than six titles (books, articles, websites, etc.)

- Possible writing assignments (typically 5-8 short pieces, one of which might be developed into a longer project to be submitted during Reading Period)

Essential Qualifications:

- A record of distinction in journalism or other kinds of nonfiction writing.

- The ability to communicate effectively to students, peers, and members of the community.

- A practicing journalist-a reporter, editor, producer, photographer, critic, biographer, or documentarian.

- At least five years of experience working at a news organization or writing regularly for major publications, including in the year immediately prior to submitting an application.

- Must not have a tenure-track or administrative position at an academic institution.

- Must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Questions may be addressed to Tim Waldron, Journalism Program Manager, at twaldron@princeton.edu or 609-258-3899.