"James Madison Visiting Professorship on First Amendment Issues"

The Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University invites applications for a full-time, visiting professor during the 2026–2027 academic year, renewable for up to one additional year.

We are seeking a leading practitioner and instructor in journalism who can help students understand fast-paced news environments and the changing demands of the profession. The visitor is expected to teach core courses, such as reporting and writing, data journalism or multimedia options, in which students produce work often focusing on municipal government, courts, education, diverse communities and similar lines of reporting near our New York campus.

As the James Madison Visiting Professor on First Amendment Issues, the successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in press freedoms and be conversant with issues in the context of global free expression. This might include freedom of information, digital surveillance, privacy, open data and other topics related to information flows in the digital era.

Along with a foundational course in areas like reporting or writing, the visitor may teach a seminar in their own specialty area, supervise masters’ projects and advise students. This instruction may be in the Master of Science program, the Master of Arts program, the data degree program or the dual degree program in journalism and computer science.

We would prefer candidates with a substantial publishing record as well as experience as a teacher, writer and editor. Applicants are also expected to have the ability to work with a diverse group of faculty, staff and students.

To qualify for this visiting professorship the candidate must currently hold an appointment at another academic institution. A bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree, preferred.

Preferred and Required Qualifications

To qualify for this visiting professorship the candidate must currently hold an appointment at another academic institution. A bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree preferred.

Application Details

The hiring committee will continuously review applications, with the expectation of conducting first-round interviews by December 2025. The search will remain open no less than thirty days after posting and until the position is filled.

This visiting position will begin no earlier than July 1, 2026, pending administrative approval. Letters of interest and curricula vitae can be submitted for consideration by going to the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/175032

Hiring Salary Range: $110,000–$120,000 a year

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Columbia University is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.