Description
The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma seeks an outstanding candidate for a tenured Associate/Full Professor position in Public Relations, beginning Fall 2027.
The college prides itself on the outstanding professional preparation of students grounded in personal interactions with faculty and extraordinary opportunities to connect with industry professionals regionally, nationally, and internationally. Courses are designed to be experiential, providing students with hands-on experience in developing strategies and plans and creating communications assets for outside clients.
The selected candidate will have a robust research agenda in public relations/strategic communication, aligned with the OU Research Strategic Framework (https://www.ou.edu/research-norman/strategic-framework) and will teach public relations undergraduate and graduate-level classes in the #1 media program in the nation, according to BEA 2025 and 2026 rankings.
The candidate will be expected to help teach core classes in the public relations curriculum, including the following: Public Relations Writing, Public Relations Ethics, Public Relations Research, Public Relations Campaigns, and Contemporary Problems in Public Relations. The candidate should conduct research and teach elective courses in one or more of the following: nonprofit PR, fundraising and event planning; public affairs/government/political campaigns, technology/AI/digital media/AR/VR, travel/tourism/hospitality, cross-cultural strategic communication, environmental/ESG/CSA/CSR, PR management/leadership, entertainment/fashion/lifestyle PR, or other areas of expertise.
The ability to work in cross-disciplinary settings and build connections with researchers across campus through OU trans-disciplinary Institutes and Centers to support the OU Strategic Plan and the ambitious goals of the OU Project 200, as well as with area professionals, businesses, and alumni, is expected. Proven ability to pursue external research funding is required. As a senior faculty member, the candidate will also be a leader and active member of the Gaylord College and the University of Oklahoma community and will chair graduate student committees and serve on various college and university committees. The rank of a successful candidate will be selected depending on qualifications and experience, and will be hired with a 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service load.
Applications for the search will be reviewed beginning September 2026, and will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should provide: 1) a cover letter describing their qualifications and their vision and plans for this position, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a one-page research statement, and 4) names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails of at least three references. For specific questions about the position and application process, please contact the search committee chair Jensen Moore, Ph.D. (jensenmoore@ou.edu). All submissions must go through Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/187242
Requirements
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Public Relations or a related discipline. Professional experience in public relations or a related field is highly desired. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of robust prior success and excellence in all three areas of research, teaching, and service, as well as a current, ongoing, cutting-edge public relations/strategic communication-focused research program with clear evidence of external funding and cross-disciplinary research collaboration. The candidate should also be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary public relations/strategic communication theories, beyond one theoretical paradigm and school of thought.
