Assistant Professor of Communication Studies (Video Game Studies)

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies (Video Game Studies)

Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by November 3, 2025. Applications received after November 3, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

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The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Rhode Island invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor specializing in video / digital game and communication studies. The appointment will begin in August 2026. We seek a dedicated scholar and colleague to join our vibrant faculty in scenic New England.

The assistant professor position is centered on video / digital game studies and communication, and it aligns with existing communication courses (e.g., media theory, media advertising, entertainment media research, rhetorical criticism, organizational theory, research methods).

Successful candidates should be well versed in theories and concepts connected to game studies and immersive, interactive media, and be able to teach and connect across general media theory and practice. Areas of research and teaching interest within the communication and gaming context may include digital game storytelling, platform studies, science and technology studies, qualitative research in gamers and game companies, emerging media Industries, Esports, Human-Machine Communication, Human-Computer Interaction, and representation (race, class, gender, sexuality, ability). The successful candidate will contribute to emerging areas of emphasis at URI in gaming, design, and computing. Opportunities also exist for collaborations with colleagues in Computer Science, Art, Economics, and Data Science, as well as a new 3D Animation and Gaming Working Group.

The faculty share a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as to providing a safe space for constructive conversation and increasing diverse voices in the classroom. Thus, we encourage applicants who can reflect that commitment to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Develop and deliver new courses in communication studies at the undergraduate level and possibly at the graduate level.
• Teach and enhance existing or new course offerings, advise students, develop a scholarly or creative agenda, and perform service at the department / program, school, college and / or university level(s) as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain a research program within the field and pursue funding as appropriate.
• Advise undergraduate students on course selection, academic progress and career planning.
• Develop curriculum as needed to help shape the major and keep it at the cutting edge of the industry.
• Contribute to the institution's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Perform service duties to the department, university and profession.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS :

1. Ph.D. (or similar terminal research degree) in communication studies or a related field with a demonstrated area of specialization in video / digital game studies and communication. ABD candidates will be considered; if hired, the degree must be completed no later than

September 1, 2026.

2. Ability to develop and deliver courses at the undergraduate level in video / digital game studies and communication, as well as general media theory and practice.

3. Ability to develop a scholarly or creative agenda in an area related to video / digital game studies and communication.

4. Proficiency in oral communication.

5. Proficiency in written communication.

6. Proficiency in electronic media.

7. Knowledge of digital media as it relates to video games and gaming.

8. Ability to work with diverse groups / populations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

1. Professional experience in video / digital game development, marketing, criticism, or related field.

2. Evidence of seeking and / or securing funding for research or creative work.

3. Experience teaching video / digital game studies and communication at the undergraduate and / or graduate level.

4. Experience teaching courses in organizational communication, interpersonal communication, rhetoric, research methods, and / or strategic communication.

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ABOUT THE HARRINGTON SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA AT URI

Administratively housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, URI's largest college and home to the university's Phi Beta Kappa chapter, the Harrington School of Communication and Media aims to grow students into creative communicators who become engaged citizens and leaders in the communities they serve. Alumni thrive in media industries, digital journalism, sports enterprise, public and community relations, corporate communication, human resources, and education. The Harrington School offers programs in Communication Studies, Film / Media, Journalism, Library and Information Studies, Public Relations, Sports Media and Communication, and Professional and Public Writing.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND  Located in the rural village of Kingston in southern Rhode Island, the University of Rhode Island occupies the traditional stomping ground of the Narragansett Nation and the Niantic people. The Kingston campus features a traditional college quadrangle designed by the firm of Olmstead and Elliot, surrounded by a ring of colorful Zelkova trees, majestic granite buildings, and numerous walkways and greenspace.

Situated in spectacular South County along Narragansett Bay to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, URI is ideally located for outdoor pursuits and cultural endeavors alike. The region boasts extensive wooded hiking trails, golf and sports clubs, and more than 100 miles of coastline, including 20 pristine public beaches. Historic Newport is just 23 minutes east by car or bus, while Rhode Island's capital city of Providence, a hotbed of innovative cuisine, contemporary art, and professional theater, is a 30-minute drive northward. Amtrak service right in Kingston serves cities along the Northeast Corridor, including Boston an hour north and New York three hours south; the award-winning T.F. Green Airport is a 25-minute drive away, connecting Rhode Island to metropolitan areas around the country.

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The University of Rhode Island is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability.

Union :  AAUP - American Assoc of Univ Professors

Status :  Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent

Department :  Communication Studies

Special Instructions to Applicants

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Please attach the following 4 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application :

(#1) Cover letter.

(#2) Curriculum Vitae.

(#3) Teaching Philosophy.

(#4) Research Statement and / or sample of published work, or link to an example of a creative production (as one complete document).

NOTE : References will be upon request by the committee.

Position Number :

Posting Number :  F00479

Posting Date :  09 / 12 / 2025

Open Until Filled :  Yes

To apply, visit