"Adjunct Professor in International Security Studies"

The Fletcher School seeks to hire an Adjunct Professor of International Security, beginning in September 2026, to teach one foundational, core course in the International Security field currently titled The Role of Force.

The Fletcher School was established in 1933 as the first exclusively graduate school of international affairs in the United States. Its faculty are multi-disciplinary, with a focus on preparing tomorrow’s leaders with a global perspective. Fletcher undertakes research and prepares master’s and doctoral students to use the latest political, business, economic, and legal thinking, among others, to generate pragmatic policies or make executive decisions that will successfully shape global events. Tufts University is a world-renowned research university dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge.

Fletcher’s International Security Studies Program (ISSP) was created in 1971, the same year its foundational course, the Role of Force, was introduced to the curriculum. The central goal of this course is to provide students with both a broad and in-depth examination of different approaches to security--national, international, transnational, and global--and how they have manifested in contemporary 20th and 21st century world politics. The course is one of two required courses in the International Security field.

The syllabus is divided into the following six parts, with each containing three or more sections that are described later in this course description.

1. Military Power and the Role of Force in the Modern International System: Historical and Contemporary Introduction
2. Causes and Constraints on the Use of Force and Conduct of War
3. Evolving Functions of Military Power: Cold War, Post-Cold War 1990s, and Post 9/11 Periods
4. Formulating National Security Policy and Strategy
5. The Modes and Strategies of 21st Century Military Power
6. The Impact of Transformative Technology on the Conduct of 21st Century Conflict: Conventional and Information Warfare

The course has two broad objectives. The first is to explore theoretical, historical, and contemporary literature concerning the role of force and the causes and conduct of war in the national security policy and pursuit of power by nation-states, as well as by non-state actors. The course also scrutinizes the evolution of the role of force and conduct of war in contemporary world politics. The second course objective is to examine the contemporary strategic environment, with attention focused on the relationship between policy, strategy, technology, gender, ethics, and morality in foreign and security policy. As an interdisciplinary course, the literature utilized is drawn from the study of diplomacy, history, and contemporary politics. This is consistent with the way the field of international security studies has evolved. It is important to note that this is not a course in recent events in conflict, war, defense, and security affairs.

The requirement is to teach Role of Force largely as it is currently taught. It should be taught in two sessions per week, either M/W or T/Th, with each session consisting of 110 minutes of in-person instruction. In-person office hours with students are also expected. The semester is 14 weeks long – 13 weeks of instruction, plus one final exam week, and three additional weeks for the grading period (September - December). Professors are expected to grade all exams. TAs can assist with exam preparation, student review sessions, and course administration. The class size has ranged from 55-75 students over the past five years. Because Role of Force is a required core course for the International Security field, it must cover foundational historical, theoretical, and policy material, especially to prepare students for other courses in the International Security field. The instructor will be free to design and conduct the course in whatever way they see fit that ensures the appropriate material is covered.

The adjunct rate for this one class is $25,000 plus a modest stiped to hire two teaching assistants (class size dependent).

Two additional considerations:

First, we would welcome candidates who are interested in offering a second elective in an international security related topic in the spring semester. Please submit sample syllabi or topics for consideration. Successful candidates who teach a second class would receive an additional adjunct rate of $25,000.

Second, the International Security Studies Program hosts a Military Fellows program with 6-8 fellows from the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard. In previous years, the Role of Force professor lectured and took student questions for the first 75 minutes. Following a break, the military fellows facilitate and lead small-group discussions for the remaining 30 minutes. We would encourage candidates to consider continuing this tradition which helps integrate the fellows into the Fletcher community. More information on the International Security Studies Program, including the Military Fellows program, is available at https://sites.tufts.edu/issp/.

Candidates must possess a doctoral degree in a relevant field (e.g. security studies, strategic studies, conflict and war studies, international relations, political science, or public policy) and teaching experience on issues related to international security.

The ideal candidate would have some experience teaching at the graduate level with evidence of teaching effectiveness. Strong potential for excellence in scholarly research as well as interest in and prior experience with engaging policymakers about the candidate?s area of expertise is also highly desirable.

Candidates should submit a brief personal statement outlining their qualifications and their particular interest in the position), curriculum vitae, and previous teaching evaluations if available. Candidates are welcome but not required to share syllabi of related courses taught in international security studies and references.

Applications can be submitted via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/181831. The search committee will begin reviewing applications on March 23, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position should be addressed to Professor Abi Linnington (abigail.linnington@tufts.edu).

For more information about The Fletcher School at Tufts University, please visit: www.fletcher.tufts.edu.