Job Opportunity: Assistant Professor - Department of African Studies, Howard University

The Department of African Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. We seek outstanding applicants with a distinguished track record in teaching, research, publication, and grantsmanship related to African Studies. The applicant’s teaching and pedagogical experience should reflect interdisciplinary approaches that harmonize knowledge of different social science and humanities fields for multidimensional teaching, research and analysis of socio-cultural, political and economic development issues in Africa. Experience in and knowledge of research methods and African language pedagogy will give candidates a stronger competitive standing.

Successful candidates will have a workload of six classes a year. Successful candidates are expected to develop vigorous, extramurally funded research programs in their areas of expertise, actively participate in the Department's teaching and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Evidence of interest and success in mentoring underrepresented students is highly desired.

Howard University, a culturally diverse, comprehensive, research intensive and historically Black private university, provides an educational experience of exceptional quality at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels to students of high academic standing and potential, with particular emphasis upon educational opportunities for Black students. Howard University is currently classified as an R2 research university with aspirations and actions underway to achieve R1 status within the next few years. It is a residential campus of approximately 12,000 students located in the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington, DC.
The Department of African Studies currently consists of ten faculty members, conducting diverse research in African Studies. The department offers BA, MA, and PhD degrees in African Studies with foci in Development and Public Policy, Africa in World Affairs, and Language Literature & the Arts, and is at the forefront of African Studies pedagogy and of intellectual discourse in the field of African Studies.

Required Qualifications:

  • Earned doctorate in an Africa related field of study from an accredited institution;
  • Record of scholarship, teaching, and professional service commensurate with the rank of Assistant Professor;
  • Effective communication and organizational skills; and
  • Evidence of successful grant writing experience.

Complete applications consist of a single PDF file containing

  1. Cover letter addressing qualifications listed above;
  2. Current curriculum vita;
  3. Two-page statement of research accomplishments, interests and future plans;
  4. Two-page statement of teaching experience and philosophy; and
  5. Names and contact information for at least three references who will provide letters upon request from the search committee.

Completed applications should be sent to the Chair of the search committee Dr. Msia Kibona Clark at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with subject line: “African Studies Search.”  Applications should be submitted by January 9 to receive full consideration. The desired starting date is August 16, 2023. Additional details and information on the Department of African Studies can be found at https://africanstudies.howard.edu/. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Msia Kibona Clark at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, religion, disability or protected veterans status. Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities or veterans status, Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX should be directed to the Office of Employee Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-806-1280.