Visiting Professor of Storytelling Through Film or Storyteller or Filmmaker in Residence

Job Details

Harvard Divinity School invites applications for a one-year Visiting Professor specializing in Storytelling Through Film within a religious, theological, or spiritually-informed context. The ideal candidate is a scholar–practitioner who engages film as a medium for exploring sacred narratives, religious experience, ethical formation, and the role of visual storytelling within faith communities.

The successful candidate will help students investigate how film can illuminate theological themes, embody religious traditions, convey spiritual insight, and serve as a tool for ministry, education, public scholarship, and community engagement.

Term: One academic year, with possibility of renewal

Key Responsibilities

• Teach graduate courses that integrate film and religion, such as:
  • Visual storytelling and sacred narrative
  • Film as theological inquiry
  • Documentary/ethnographic filmmaking in religious communities
  • Cinematic language, symbolism, ritual, and spiritual aesthetics
  • Media production for ministry, liturgy, or religious education
• Mentor students on film-based capstone projects, practice-based research, and spiritually informed media work
• Engage in creative or scholarly activity aligned with religious, theological, or spiritual themes
• Develop and offer or co-teach a professional and lifelong learning course in religion and film or more broadly in religion and media
• Contribute to the creative and intellectual life of Harvard Divinity School

Applicants should demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated excellence in film production and visual storytelling.
• Ability to integrate religious, spiritual, or theological frameworks into teaching and creative work.
• Evidence of effective teaching at the graduate or advanced undergraduate level.
• Portfolio showcasing artistic craft and conceptual or theological depth.

Additional Qualifications:

• Terminal degree (MFA, PhD, ThD, or equivalent) in Film, Media Arts, Religion, Theology, Religious Studies, Communication, Visual Studies, or a related field.
• Experience teaching or creating media
• Record of creative or scholarly work addressing religious themes.
• Familiarity with interfaith, multicultural, or community-engaged approaches to storytelling.
• Proficiency with current film production technologies.

Please also submit the following materials with your application:

• Cover letter describing the candidate’s creative and/or theological approach to film, teaching philosophy, and suitability for a one-year visiting role.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Portfolio of film/media work (links preferred).
• Sample syllabi (if available).
• Sample student evaluations (if available)
• Candidates should provide the names and email addresses of three professional references who are prepared to submit letters of recommendations. The School may contact those persons directly at a later stage in the process.

Review of applications will begin on June 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Applicants may contact the Office for Academic Affairs (academicaffairs@hds.harvard.edu) at Harvard Divinity School with any questions regarding the position.
Please note, if visa sponsorship is needed, Harvard retains the discretion to determine which visa status is appropriate and whether a visa sponsorship application will ultimately be submitted, including payment of any applicable fees.