Assistant Professor of Practice in Documentary Expression

Department:

About The Center for the Study of Southern Culture

Founded in 1977, the CSSC defines its mission as investigating, documenting, interpreting, and teaching about the U.S. South through academic inquiry and publications, documentary studies of film, photography, and oral history, and public outreach programs. The cross-disciplinary Southern Studies faculty and the undergraduate and graduate degree programs (MA and MFA) are the core of the Center’s work. Its curricula incorporate traditional disciplines of the arts, humanities, and social sciences to form an interdisciplinary framework for studying the South. The Center promotes research on the region’s varied cultures by supporting the work of its faculty, staff, students, alumni, and visiting scholars. For more information: https://olemiss.edu/southernstudies/

Job Summary:

The Southern Documentary Project (southdocs.org) is looking for an Assistant Professor of Practice in Documentary Expression. This position will help steward accountable documentary storytelling in its many forms and mediums through production, collaboration, and education. We welcome applications from critical storytellers who create work through the lens of informed practices and ethics. We encourage makers who honor lived experiences and models of cocreation in their media practice.

SouthDocs is an institute of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture (https://olemiss.edu/southernstudies/) whose mission is to tell stories from the U.S. South, increase civic and cultural engagement, and train the next generation of storytellers enrolled in the Center’s academic programs. In addition to teaching and mentoring students, this person will actively contribute to the Center’s mission through creating original and collaborative work. This permanent nine-month, non-tenure track academic position includes a 2+2 teaching load with a clear path for advancement and promotion.

What We Value

With this hire, SouthDocs hopes to deepen our commitment to the diversity of our region. As part of an institution with a difficult history in regards to access, we take seriously our unique obligation to educate and lead the state with a commitment toward the goal of complicating our shared narratives.

Job Description:

Job Responsibilities

• 2+2 teaching load with advising responsibilities

• Work directly with students in the classroom and in the field. See examples of student work at https://southdocs.org/showcase/

• Create original documentary projects (individually and collaboratively) utilizing photography, audio, oral history, video, or mixed media. See examples of our work at http://southdocs.org/.

• Ensure accountability for and ethical representation of people and places you choose to document.

• Design and present technical and theory-based workshops or classes and provide constructive feedback related to documentary storytelling and related media.

• Engage community partners and build long-term relationships through impact-driven storytelling and programs. See https://southdocs.org/project/movementstartshere/ for one recent SouthDocs example and https://www.southernfoodways.org/features/the-farish-street-project/ for an example of students collaborating with community partners to tell a story.

• Lead and inspire conversations on campus and in the community with your work through exhibitions, panel discussions, film screenings, etc.

Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts degree related to visual or audio storytelling, documentary studies, or other relevant fields.

• Teaching or instructional experience in lens-based media, audio production, documentary studies, or multimedia storytelling.

• Ability to work as a team member responsible for multiple duties in collaborative projects.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply online at https://careers.olemiss.edu. The online application should include: 1) curriculum vitae 2) cover letter indicating documentary and teaching experience and interest 3) samples of creative work including at least one completed project that identifies your role, and 4) contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2026 and continue until the position is filled or until an adequate applicant pool is established.

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Job Responsibilities:

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Education Qualifications:

MFA

Experience:

Relevant experience

Interview Requirement:

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

EEO Statement:

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.