"DeLaney Center Postdoctoral Fellowship in Southern Race Relations, Culture, and Politics"

DeLaney Center Postdoctoral Fellowship in Southern Race Relations, Culture, and Politics

Washington and Lee University: DeLaney Center

Location: Lexington, VA
Open Date: Feb 05, 2026
Deadline:

Description

The Washington and Lee University (W&L) DeLaney Center seeks candidates for its 2026-2028 Postdoctoral Fellowship. The DeLaney Center Postdoctoral Fellow will be expected to teach three undergraduate courses during the academic year, typically including one course in the fall, one course in the winter, and one course in the 4-week spring term. At least two of these courses should align with the Center's interest in Southern race relations, culture, and politics. Courses are chosen in consultation with the Director. In addition, the Fellow will be expected to assist with administrative duties within the DeLaney Center, participate in all DeLaney Center activities, interact with and advise undergraduates affiliated with the DeLaney Center, and help foster an intellectual community across the College, the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, and the School of Law. The appointment will be for two years, beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2028.

Washington and Lee, a private, liberal arts university with approximately 2200 students, is in Lexington, Virginia, a town of approximately 7000 people in the Shenandoah Valley. The DeLaney Center was established in 2021. Its mission is to advance dialogue, teaching, and research about race and Southern identity. To learn more, please visit https://my.wlu.edu/delaney-center. One of the nation's top liberal arts institutions, W&L is unique in having accredited programs in business administration, journalism, and accounting, as well as a School of Law. Established in 1749, it is the ninth oldest institution of higher learning in the nation.

W&L promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in teaching and for vigorous scholarship. We welcome applications from candidates that would contribute to the University's mission and Strategic Plan.

Qualifications

Applicants must study Southern race relations, culture, and politics. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. with a focus on race and Southern-ness and will have completed their Ph.D. by June of 2026. The candiate must be no more than three years from the awarding of their degree (i.e., June of 2023), although exceptions to this rule may be made in unusual circumstances.

Application Instructions

Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit:

• a letter of application describing scholarly pursuits, teaching interests, and relevant administrative and student supervision experiences, and
• a CV.

Candidates selected for interview will be asked to provide confidential letters of recommendation, a writing sample, a model syllabus, a teaching statement, and a research statement.

Questions shoud be directed to Michael Hill, who is Professor and Chair of Africana Studies and the Director of the DeLaney Center, at mhill@wlu.edu All materials will be accepted through Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/181204.