The Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy at the University of Pennsylvania seeks applications for two (2) postdoctoral positions for the 2020-2021 academic year: the Mitchell Center Postdoctoral Fellowship linked to our 2020-2021 series, “Free Speech Battles”; and the Mitchell Center/JMC Postdoctoral Fellowship, offered with the support of the Jack Miller Center, with a focus on American constitutional history and principles. See below for details.

MITCHELL CENTER POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP ON “FREE SPEECH BATTLES”

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
2020-2021 Academic Year
Application Deadline: February 16, 2020
Apply through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/72667

The University of Pennsylvania’s Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy invites applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in any discipline whose research is pertinent to the theme of the Center’s 2020-2021 faculty workshop series, “Free Speech Battles.”  In addition to pursuing independent research, the postdoctoral fellow is expected to attend and participate in Mitchell Center events; teach one undergraduate course related to their academic interests; co-lead a research seminar for Mitchell Center undergraduate fellows; and attend other Mitchell events whenever possible. The stipend is $53,800 plus benefits, including health insurance.

Free speech has re-emerged in recent years as a significant political rallying cry, as political polarization and shifting cultural sensitivities have intensified the struggles in many democratic countries over the boundaries of acceptable speech. These struggles are far from new, but in the contemporary context emerging media platforms have presented new challenges to the regulation and protection of open expression. In this environment, businesses and civil-society organizations throughout the world contend with issues of political speech and related boycotts, while in the U.S., social and legal developments require us to rethink our interpretations and implementation of the First Amendment. In its 2020-2021 theme year, “Free Speech Battles,” The Andrea Mitchell Center examines both the contentious history of free expression and the ongoing developments that have made it once again a central issue in democratic societies.

Global in its outlook, multifaceted in its purposes, the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy seeks to contribute to the ongoing quest for democratic values, ideas, and institutions throughout the world. In addition to hosting speakers from the fields of academia, journalism, politics, and public policy, the Mitchell Center supports undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral research.  It continues the legacy of the Penn Program for Democracy, Citizenship, and Constitutionalism, which fostered interdisciplinary scholarship from 2007 to 2017.

QUALIFICATIONS

International scholars are welcome.  Applicants should have received the PhD no earlier than May 2015 but must have completed all requirements for the PhD by September 30, 2020.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Apply through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/72667
Deadline: February 16, 2020

In addition to the Personal and Profile information requested by Interfolio, the following information and documents will be required:

Information

1.  Email Address
2.  Home Telephone Number
3.  Mobile Telephone Number
4.  Country of Citizenship
5.  Country of Permanent Residence
6.  Current Position (Indicate your title, department, institution, and City/State).  If you are not
employed, please state what you are currently doing.

Documents to be uploaded

1.  CV
2.  Title and Description of Two Undergraduate Course Proposals – Single-spaced (one page each)
proposals of possible Undergraduate Seminars you would like to teach at Penn.
3.  Title and Description of Proposed Research Study – No more than 1,000 words.
4.  Confidential Letters of Recommendation (three) – Referees should be asked both to comment on
your proposed project and to discuss your qualifications as a teacher.
5.  Writing Sample – An article or excerpt of a book or dissertations chapter.  (20 page limit.)
6.  Cover Letter

MITCHELL CENTER/JMC POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP 2020-2021

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
2020-2021 Academic Year
Application Deadline: February 16, 2020
Apply through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/72670

The University of Pennsylvania’s Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy invites applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Fellowship created in partnership with the Jack Miller Center. The Program welcomes both empirical and normative scholarship from scholars in any discipline who intend to pursue an academic career primarily aimed at advancing learning on the governmental and economic institutions of the United States, especially their historical roots in the principles and politics of the Constitution’s founding era, and the ideas, debates, and contests that have shaped their subsequent development.

In addition to pursuing independent research and participating generally in the intellectual life of the Penn community, the JMC Postdoctoral Fellow at the Andrea Mitchell Center is expected to attend and participate in Mitchell Center events; teach one undergraduate course related to their academic interests; co-lead a research seminar for Mitchell Center undergraduate fellows; and attend other Mitchell events whenever possible. The stipend is $50,000 plus benefits, including health insurance.

Global in its outlook, multifaceted in its purposes, the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy seeks to contribute to the ongoing quest for democratic values, ideas, and institutions throughout the world. In addition to hosting speakers from the fields of academia, journalism, politics, and public policy, the Mitchell Center supports undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral research.  It continues the legacy of the Penn Program for Democracy, Citizenship, and Constitutionalism, which fostered interdisciplinary scholarship from 2007 to 2017.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should have received the PhD no earlier than May 2015 but must have completed all requirements for the PhD by September 30, 2020.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Application Deadline: February 16, 2020
Apply through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/72670

In addition to the Personal and Profile information requested by Interfolio, the following information and documents will be required:

Information

1.  Email Address
2.  Home Telephone Number
3.  Mobile Telephone Number
4.  Country of Citizenship
5.  Country of Permanent Residence
6.  Current Position (Indicate your title, department, institution, and City/State).  If you are not
employed, please state what you are currently doing.

Documents to be uploaded

1.  CV
2.  Title and Description of Two Undergraduate Course Proposals – Single-spaced (one page each)
proposals of possible Undergraduate Seminars you would like to teach at Penn.
3.  Title and Description of Proposed Research Study – No more than 1,000 words.
4.  Confidential Letters of Recommendation (three) – Referees should be asked both to comment on
your proposed project and to discuss your qualifications as a teacher.
5.  Writing Sample – An article or excerpt of a book or dissertations chapter.  (20 page limit.)
6.  Cover Letter