"Lehman Brady Visiting Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and UNC–Chapel Hill"

Job Description

Lehman Brady Visiting Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and UNC–Chapel Hill

The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University and the Department of American Studies at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill invite applications for the 2026–2028 Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professorship.

The professorship, open as to rank, provides an innovative artist, writer, documentarian or scholar a two-year position. The first year is not fully residential, but involves a series of week-long visits to engage with faculty, students and community groups, as appropriate, to present on work-in-progress, and to undertake planning for the second, residential year.

During the second year, the holder of the professorship will be in residence in Durham to conduct research, participate in educational and community-building activities, and design and carry out a significant creative public engagement project connecting university staff, faculty, students and participants from local and regional communities. During that second year, the Lehman Brady Professor will also teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses on both campuses and engage in presentations, outreach and other events for students and the general public.

This professorship is supported by two Duke endowment funds, one established by the Lyndhurst Foundation and the other established by the bequest of Lehman Brady, an attorney from Durham, North Carolina, who died in 1995.

Applications will be accepted through April 10, 2026 (11:59 pm Eastern Time US).

Disciplines:

Applicants may propose projects and courses from among these disciplines (or related fields): Documentary studies/documentary arts / American studies / History / Journalism / Fine arts (including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, cinematic arts, installation, new media, digital arts) / Folklore / Audio/sound studies / Creative writing / Poetry / Theater

Timeline

Fall Semester 2026: Two week-long site visits to Duke and UNC–Chapel Hill; meetings with faculty, staff, students, community members. Course proposals due late November 2026 for Fall 2027 classes; should the holder of the professorship wish to seek funding from Duke’s Bass Connections program, proposals will be due early November 2026 for the 2027-28 academic year. Professor paid partial salary and provided with a research fund.

Spring Semester 2027: Two week-long site visits to Duke and UNC–Chapel Hill; introductory events; meetings with faculty, staff, students, community members. Recruit participants for creative project. Professor paid partial salary and provided with research fund.

July 1, 2027: Start of full-time professorship, full-time residency in Durham/Chapel Hill area, creative project implementation

Fall Semester 2027: Teach one semester-long course at each university; creative project implementation

Spring Semester 2028: Teach one semester-long course at each university; creative project implementation; significant public event, exhibition and/or screening held at Duke, UNC–Chapel Hill and/or community venue

Funding

Year 1 (four week-long site visits): One-fifth salary for year 2; research fund; temporary office; access to university libraries, computer labs, facilities

Year 2: Full salary and Duke University benefits; research fund; office space; studio space; access to university libraries, computer labs, facilities

Eligibility

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Applicants with a terminal degree (Ph.D., MFA) must have graduated at least five years ago. Applicants with equivalent mid-career credentials, as evidenced by publications, exhibitions, films or other similar achievements, must have at least ten years of relevant experience.

Duke University and University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill students, faculty and staff are not eligible to apply.

Applications

To apply, submit:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Proposal for documentary project to be undertaken in year two of the professorship (2 pages maximum)
• Personal statement of teaching philosophy and creative practice (2 pages maximum)
• Creative work sample (see FAQs for details)
• 2 undergraduate and/or graduate semester-long course proposals (one page each)
• Course evaluations for the last three courses taught (as available)
• 3 references (names and addresses only; letters are not needed at this time)

Virtual Office Hours

Applicants are invited to attend drop-in office hours via Zoom (https://duke.zoom.us/j/8603053542) and pose questions through the anonymous Q&A feature. All times listed are local to North Carolina (eastern time U.S.).

• Friday, March 20, 3:00 to 4:00 pm
• Wednesday, March 25, 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm