June 9, 2025
2025-2026 Media Studies (MDIA) sessional teaching
The Bachelor of Media Studies (BMS) Program in the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, is seeking a sessional instructor to co-teach MDIA 350 “Media Environments” which is a community-engaged, project-based, interdisciplinary collaborative interactive media production course, required by all Bachelor of Media Studies students in their third year.
This advanced media course integrates interdisciplinary media student perspectives to work in groups to create digital media projects that activate community needs, via archives and collections. Students will develop technical skills that bridge visual, narrative, and data information specialties of the BMS program. The course runs collaborative group projects to activate narratives of archival materials from (and that serve) non-profit organizations, activist groups, and academic partners. The curriculum emphasizes project management, community engagement, and making meaningful and accessible public-facing media interaction design projects.
MDIA 350 takes place weekly in a three-hour session on Tuesday afternoons (14:00–17:00) in Term 1 of the 2025-26 Academic Year (September 1–December 31, 2025) and is co-taught with the Chair of the BMS program, Associate Professor of Teaching Christine D’Onofrio. The successful candidate will be compensated at the standard rate for a three-credit course.
Applicants with a background in any media discipline are welcome to apply. However, an interest in interdisciplinary knowledge of construction and experience in scholarly and practical media interaction modalities is essential to the role. Applicants with experience working in at least two of the following technological competency areas are encouraged to apply: 2D/3D scanning and photogrammetry; interactive storytelling; interactive journalism; creative coding; app/web interface development; UX/UI design; VR/MR/AR/EX and 3D imaging; visual programming/live interaction; data visualization; sound recording and editing.
Required qualifications include:
- Graduate degree (with either undergraduate or graduate degree in an MDIA-relevant field)
- Experience as a collaborative media creator
- Proof of post-secondary teaching experience and effectiveness
This position is subject to availability of funds. Sessional Lecturer positions will be governed by the “Agreement on Conditions of Appointment for Sessional Lecturers.” In accordance with the collective agreement, the current minimum Sessional salary is CA$9,559.11 for a three-credit course.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
To apply, please email christine.donofrio@ubc.ca one PDF that contains the following information:
- Cover letter that includes links to web-sites or projects that outlines related experience in interdisciplinary and collaborative digital media work. Also include your fluency with and name particular software and technical experience you have technically developing digital interaction works
- CV that includes individual descriptions of past courses taught
- A maximum 1-page outline of how you’d approach teaching a collaborative media-making course, including: (1) identify your values as a media maker and 3 important outcomes you believe students should have from the course, (2) community partner ideas, linked to ideas for digital outputs you’d engage with, and (3) three important readings that have influenced your digital processes.
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness (i.e., student evaluations, if available)
- Contact information (name, role, email and phone number) of two references.
All materials should be received by 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025.