What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant or Associate Professor, Historic Preservation position at University of Pennsylvania?
The Department of Historic Preservation at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania, welcomes applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor to conduct graduate-level instruction, advising, and research in historic preservation. We especially seek scholars who have both 1) research and teaching experience related to the public history of the built environment, ideally with a specific emphasis on social and/or environmental justice, and 2) heritage-based professional practice. There are also opportunities to teach across multiple departmental concentrations, including preservation planning and/or preservation design.
The Department of Historic Preservation provides an integrated approach for architects, landscape architects, planners, historians, archaeologists, conservators, managers, and other professionals to understand, sustain, and transform the existing environment. Through two master’s degree programs, we offer concentrations in public history of the built environment, preservation planning, preservation design, and architectural conservation.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses at the graduate level, including the foundational community-engaged public history seminar, plus additional courses among the following: global history of the built environment, preservation policy, preservation studio, and/or other courses that suit the candidate’s research. The position also includes advising of master’s students and the possibility of supporting doctoral students in allied departments. The new faculty member will also participate in funded research supported through the various research centers at the School and University, cultivating their own research initiatives and projects ideally related to public history, community-based practice, and issues of social and/or environmental justice. Future opportunities may exist to take on leadership of one of the School’s research centers, with associated course reduction.
This position is a full-time tenure-track or tenured appointment at either the Assistant or Associate Professor level, with responsibilities for teaching, research, practice, and service. Research-based practice will be suited to the candidate’s own research agenda, but may include such activities as: partnerships with local community organizations, development of historic register nominations, documentation and other field projects (with the National Park Service or non-profit groups), digital humanities projects, and/or exhibitions. The specific rank of the successful candidate will be determined based on experience and qualifications.
In addition to the Department of Historic Preservation, the Weitzman School includes the departments of City & Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Fine Arts. The Weitzman School prepares students to address complex sociocultural and environmental issues through thoughtful inquiry, creative expression, and innovation. As a diverse community of scholars and practitioners, we are committed to advancing the public good—both locally and globally—through art, design, planning, and preservation.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates are encouraged to describe how underrepresented, diverse, and global perspectives are incorporated into their teaching and research. Applications from women and other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.
Applications should be addressed to Francesca Ammon, Chair, Search Committee.
Review of applications will begin on February 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. The position will begin on July 1, 2025, and the selected candidate will be expected to begin teaching in fall 2025.
Questions should be directed to Micah Dornfeld, Department Coordinator, Historic Preservation, at: micahdor@design.upenn.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205; or (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).
The Department of Historic Preservation provides an integrated approach for architects, landscape architects, planners, historians, archaeologists, conservators, managers, and other professionals to understand, sustain, and transform the existing environment. Through two master’s degree programs, we offer concentrations in public history of the built environment, preservation planning, preservation design, and architectural conservation.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses at the graduate level, including the foundational community-engaged public history seminar, plus additional courses among the following: global history of the built environment, preservation policy, preservation studio, and/or other courses that suit the candidate’s research. The position also includes advising of master’s students and the possibility of supporting doctoral students in allied departments. The new faculty member will also participate in funded research supported through the various research centers at the School and University, cultivating their own research initiatives and projects ideally related to public history, community-based practice, and issues of social and/or environmental justice. Future opportunities may exist to take on leadership of one of the School’s research centers, with associated course reduction.
This position is a full-time tenure-track or tenured appointment at either the Assistant or Associate Professor level, with responsibilities for teaching, research, practice, and service. Research-based practice will be suited to the candidate’s own research agenda, but may include such activities as: partnerships with local community organizations, development of historic register nominations, documentation and other field projects (with the National Park Service or non-profit groups), digital humanities projects, and/or exhibitions. The specific rank of the successful candidate will be determined based on experience and qualifications.
In addition to the Department of Historic Preservation, the Weitzman School includes the departments of City & Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Fine Arts. The Weitzman School prepares students to address complex sociocultural and environmental issues through thoughtful inquiry, creative expression, and innovation. As a diverse community of scholars and practitioners, we are committed to advancing the public good—both locally and globally—through art, design, planning, and preservation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience in the field of historic preservation and 2) a PhD in American studies, architecture, art & architectural history, city planning, geography, historic preservation, history, or another related field.
Candidates are encouraged to describe how underrepresented, diverse, and global perspectives are incorporated into their teaching and research. Applications from women and other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.
Applications should be addressed to Francesca Ammon, Chair, Search Committee.
Review of applications will begin on February 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. The position will begin on July 1, 2025, and the selected candidate will be expected to begin teaching in fall 2025.
Questions should be directed to Micah Dornfeld, Department Coordinator, Historic Preservation, at: micahdor@design.upenn.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205; or (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).
