Sessional Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in Social Media & Public Relations, Department of Communication & Media Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

The Department of Communication & Media Studies and the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies at York University invites highly qualified applicants for a Sessional Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream position in Social Media & Public Relations. This is a Contractually Limited Appointment (CLA) to the teaching stream for a two-year term to commence August 1^st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Offered exclusively at York University’s Markham Campus, the Social Media & Public Relations program is recently launched (2024) specialized undergraduate (BA) stream in the Department of Communications and Media Studies. The program is designed to offer students a solid foundation in communication and media studies while pursuing an intensive focus on the study of social media and public relations. The program includes experiential education and placement opportunities. To support students in achieving the program’s academic goals, the successful applicant will show evidence of work involving a critical engagement with advertising, public relations, or political communications. They will also bring professional experience developing and implementing social media strategies to the teaching of courses addressing one or more for one or more of the following contexts: the public relations industry, community-engaged research, public health campaigns, social movements, political campaigns, and/or non-governmental organizations. We are particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with and on behalf of marginalized communities, and who have practical experience with data visualization and data storytelling techniques.  

The successful applicant will join the faculty members based at York’s new Markham Campus.  

York University’s Markham Campus offers state-of-the-art facilities to provide innovative job-ready academic programming and research focusing on core themes of technology and entrepreneurship as applied in different contexts, disciplines and professional fields. Building on York University’s academic presence in the City of Markham, the new campus will help fulfil future labour market and civic leadership needs by providing transferable 21^st century skills that are at the core of future economic competitiveness and community development in Markham, York Region and across Ontario. Collaboration with York University’s existing research strengths in the core areas of the new campus and dynamic engagement with the area’s businesses, industries, and communities will create an innovative, cross-disciplinary, and social justice-oriented research culture for solving complex problems that transcend traditional disciplines. 

Candidate Qualifications:

• Degree: PhD in Communications Studies, Media Studies or a related discipline is required by the appointment’s start.
• Teaching:
  • A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching postsecondary courses in critical media studies, strategic communication for social change, or related fields.
  • A record or evident promise of excellence in teaching and dedication to students (e.g., evidence of, or proposed examples of, innovative pedagogy and course design, student and peer evaluations).
  • Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position may involve graduate teaching and supervision.

Hiring Policies:

• The anticipated starting salary for this position at the rank of Sessional Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream and commensurate with qualifications and experience, is in the range of $130,000 to $145,000. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• York is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, in its community. Details of the AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here or by contacting Aqsa Ahmed, EDI Program Manager ([email protected]).
• York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact Professor Mark Hayward, Department Chair, [email protected].

Application Process:

• Due date for completed applications: July 15, 2026
• Required materials: 1) current CV; 2) cover letter, 3) teaching philosophy statement(s), 4) sample teaching materials, 5) The name and contact information of three references (of which one may speak to professional experience).
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application.
• Direct questions about the position to Mark Hayward, Department Chair, [email protected].
• Submit materials: at https://apply.laps.yorku.ca

Learn More About York:

• York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
• York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the Indigenous Framework for York University.
• Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile.

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