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The School of Communication at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., invites applications for a full-time, faculty position at the rank of associate or full professor, with an emphasis on interactive storytelling, worldbuilding, and/or playful design in the public interest. Depending on qualifications, the appointee may be recommended for tenure at the time of hiring. Candidates should hold a terminal degree as appropriate to their focus, such as an MFA or Ph.D. The salary range is from $105,000-$124,000.

The School of Communication (SOC) at American University engages the most pressing issues of our time through teaching, scholarship, and professional experiences in communication and media.  In the Film and Media Arts division, our faculty and students make media that matters in and beyond one of the most dynamic and influential cities in the world.

The candidate is expected to work closely with or lead American University’s Game & Interactive Media Center, which is a world-class hub for experiential education, interactive storytelling, and computational media with a public purpose. While the Center is increasingly focused on undergraduate learning, its graduate programs were ranked #24 in the world by the Princeton Review in 2026, including the MA in Game Design and the MFA in Games and Interactive Media. The Center recently launched a new minor in Game Design, with one track for media studies students and another for those with an interest in computer science and game development.

The ideal candidate will be an outstanding media maker, educator, and curricular strategist. They should ideally be comfortable with many principles of good game design. The candidate’s practice in interactive media should connect to one or more domains in the public interest: the environment, health, urban and spatial planning, education, or social issue storytelling, and should interface with science communication and journalism, museums, nonprofits, etc. As more AI tools are integrated into production pipelines, the candidate should have some knowledge of where such tools are useful and how they can be guided, and be able to engage thoughtfully with students who are both AI resistant and AI enthusiasts. Job responsibilities may include teaching courses; directing undergraduate and graduate game programs; mentoring students; securing new partnerships and funding for original media projects and high-impact collaborations; and participating in School of Communication and University governance.

The position, which will begin in August of 2027, comes with powerful opportunities for collaboration with a tremendous mix of organizations in Washington, DC, from arts funders to policy think tanks to global nonprofits. Collaborating across the university with our world-class faculty is particularly well-suited to the Game & Interactive Media Center and is encouraged.

Consideration of applications will commence on November 1, 2026. Candidate interviews will begin in late 2026/early 2027 and continue until the position is filled. To apply, submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, one letter of recommendation (two more letters will be requested for those who reach the interview stage), a teaching portfolio, optional creative portfolio, and optional excerpt of exemplary publications; finalist candidates will be asked for two letters of recommendation (likely to coincide with interviews).  Please submit applications via Workday. Please contact the SOC Faculty Affairs Coordinator at 202-885-2133 or email [email protected] if you have any questions.   

For more about the School of Communication, please visit www.american.edu/soc. American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

American University is a tobacco- and smoke-free campus. Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

American University is required to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). In accordance with the Clery Act, each year American University prepares an Annual Security Report. This report contains campus crime statistics as well as descriptions of Public Safety's services. It is available to all applicants upon request by calling the Department of Public Safety at 202-885-2537 or the Annual Security Report is also available online.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.