The National Council on Public History (NCPH) defines the work of public historians as “the many and diverse ways in which history is put to work in the world…it is history that is applied to real-world issues.” Drawing on this mission, the Public Historian plays a vital role at the ITPS (Institute for Thomas Paine Studies) as an educator, community liaison, program developer, and public scholar. The Public Historian’s efforts center around three primary initiatives: the expansion of student-learning and research opportunities; maintaining and growing relationships within and outside of the university community, especially with interested partners at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives; and creating engaging scholarly and public-facing programming. The Public Historian reports to the ITPS Director and works with colleagues at the ITPS, the Provost Office, History Department, Ryan Library, community partners, and across the university. Experience with digital public history is especially welcomed. The Public Historian should hold either a MA in Public History (or related degree) or a Ph.D. in American History, with expertise in eighteenth and/or nineteenth-century history, and a year+ of related public history experience.
1. Curriculum and Student Engagement, including: manage and grow the ITPS public and digital history internship program; teach the introductory course in the ITPS minor in Digital Humanities and Public History (DH210); develop and support student-research and pre-professional opportunities at the ITPS.
2. Community Liaison and Programming Development, including: coordinate existing and develop field partnerships for the internship program as well as other collaborations with other organizations (for example, archives, libraries, museums, heritage sites and educational institutions); work with the ITPS director on organizing public-facing and academic programming (for example, conferences, workshops, lectures, author talks); work on related digital programming (for example, the ITPS research portal, podcast, newsletter, blog).
3. Archival and Scholarly-Related Activity, including: pursue publication in peer-reviewed and popular media formats in collaboration with the ITPS and individually; work with the digital liaison and library colleagues to support initiatives around the Paine archival collections; work on scholarly programming and partnerships at the ITPS (for example, fellowship, press collaborations).
4. Collaboration on ITPS grant-related and civic initiatives, as they arise, including: work with the ITPS team, the Provost Office, and the Grants Office, as well as other interested partners, on public and private grant applications and/or other opportunities around the university; prepare relevant materials to this process for interested donors, organizations; and other related activities, as they arise.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
About Iona/EEO Statement:
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona is a growing, highly accredited institution located just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, with campuses in New Rochelle, Bronxville, and a new location in County Mayo, Ireland. With over 4,000 students, Iona offers small classes, engaged faculty, and a wide range of programs across the School of Arts & Science, the LaPenta School of Business (AACSB‑accredited), the NewYork‑Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences, and the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
Recognized by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and U.S. News & World Report, Iona is nationally ranked for academic quality, social mobility, and long‑term return on investment. The University’s continued growth and rising reputation reflect its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, service, and opportunity.
Iona University values and celebrates diversity and is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and applicants for employment. Iona is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered free from discrimination based on any legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Iona University encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds.
