Visiting Scholar of Civic Thought

The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society

The Ohio State Universitys motto, Disciplina in Civitatem, or Education for Citizenship, is not merely a slogan; it is an exhortation to remain focused on the responsibility to develop an informed, engaged, and civic-minded citizenry. It is essential to fulfilling Ohio States land-grant mission.

In 2023, the State of Ohio established the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State ("the Chase Center"). The Chase Center is a multidisciplinary university center that conducts teaching, research, and public programming concerning the core texts and great debates of Western civilization; the principles, ideals, and institutions of the American and Ohio political order; and the foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship. It is an independent academic unit of the University. The Center is a leader of the growing cadre of similar schools of civic thought in Ohio and throughout the country.

During its first year and a half of operation, the Chase Center laid a strong foundation for long-term success, securing its mission to conduct teaching and research in the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society, ORC 3335.39. The Centers founding faculty has offered the Centers first classes and degrees, the Center has hosted a robust suite of public programming, the Chase Society is large and growing community of students, the Center launched its support for K-12 schools and their students, and the Center saw significant financial support from Ohio and donors. Our Visiting Scholar of Civic Thought for the 2026-2027 academic year, John Thrasher, gave a well-received public lecture, What Free Speech Is For, and will join the Centers permanent faculty next fall.

Position Overview

The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society is conducting a nationwide search for up to three Visiting Scholars of Civic Thought for the 20262027 academic year (or part of the academic year). The successful candidate will be an excellent scholar in a discipline relevant to civic thought and leadership. We are especially interested in candidates with expertise in the following subjects: natural law, civic leadership, and artificial intelligence and civics.

The Visiting Scholar will teach, publish research, and make contributions to his or her academic discipline in a manner that serves the Centers mission, and will be actively engaged in the Centers and Ohio States intellectual life. The Chase Center may consider the Visiting Scholar for a permanent position.

One of the Visiting Scholar positions is funded by a general gift and will be for a scholar whose work has implications for free speech or academic freedom. This Visiting Scholar will give a lecture on free speech (or a related concept), teach a course on free speech (or a related concept), research and publish on free speech (or a related concept), and help organize the Chase Centers annual conference and symposium.

Chase Center faculty are public-spirited scholars committed to building an academic community in which civic life and the life of the mind flourish. As the heart of the Centers academic community, faculty advance the Centers mission by teaching and mentoring students, making meaningful contributions to their academic disciplines, modeling collegiality, and serving the University and the broader Ohio community. Faculty, as with all members of the Center, should be familiar with and embrace the Centers mission as defined by ORC 3335.39.

Salary and benefits are competitive.

Performance Objectives

• Contribute and demonstrate a commitment to the Chase Centers statutory mission through teaching, research, and service.
• Effectively teach courses that advance the Centers mission, including one or more of the Centers civic literacy requirements.
• Demonstrate expertise and a scholarly reputation in a discipline relevant to civic thought and leadership.
• Publish high-quality scholarship in academic outlets in the faculty members discipline, as well as other academic and popular outlets.
• Engage in service to the Chase Center, the University, and the broader community.
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate poise, professionalism, and good judgment.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required

• A Ph.D., J.D., or other terminal degree in a field related to the Centers mission.
• Record of developing and effectively teaching courses that advance the Centers mission.
• Record of high-quality scholarship and educational programming that advance the Centers mission.

How to Apply

Once you start the application you will need to fill it out to completion and upload all required materials. Please be aware that you will not be able to edit your application or materials after submission.

Application materials must include the following:

Cover letter describing how the candidate meets the qualifications for the position, including his or her commitment to the Centers mission and an explanation of how the candidate is prepared to support that mission through teaching (including courses the candidate might teach), research, and contributions to the Centers institutional development.

The letter should be addressed to:

Lee J. Strang
Executive Director, Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society
Professor of Law, Moritz College of Law
174 West 18th Avenue, Room 5033
Columbus, OH 43210
strang.69@osu.edu

• Curriculum vita (CV)
• Statement of teaching
• Statement of research
• Writing sample (recent article, working paper, or chapter)
• The names and contact information of at least three individuals who can provide a letter of reference. (We will request letters of reference if/when candidates move to the interview stage.)

The application deadline is Monday, April 27, at 11:59 p.m. We will review all applications submitted by the deadline. Please email the search committee at Chasehiring@osu.edu if you have questions about the application process.