Lecturer, Sports Reporting, School of Journalism & Media

Job Title
Lecturer, Sports Reporting, School of Journalism & Media


Requisition Number
FE04702


Working Title

Department Name
8M100: School Of Journalism and Media


Work Location
Lexington, KY


Type of Position
Faculty


Position Time Status
Full-Time


Tenure Track Status
Non-Tenure Track


Required Education

Candidates should hold a master’s degree or higher in journalism, communication, or a related field, and have professional experience in sports journalism.



Required Related Experience

NA



Required License/Registration/Certification

NA



Job Summary

University of Kentucky

SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MEDIA

College of Communication and Information

LECTURER IN SPORTS REPORTING

The College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky invites applications for the position of Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Sports Journalism. The anticipated start date for this 9-month position is August 15, 2026.


Qualification and Responsibilities:

The School of Journalism and Media seeks applicants for a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Sports Journalism. The successful candidate will teach courses in sports writing, reporting and editing, and other classes related to the applicant’s skillset and experience. The successful candidate will lead, teach, and mentor our students to work in professional settings and produce award-winning work on a campus with more than 20 varsity programs and an SEC Network affiliation. The surrounding area offers additional coverage opportunities, including horse racing, auto racing, minor league soccer and baseball, high school sports and more. Courses related to this position include Sports Reporting and Editing, Issues in 21st Century Sports Journalism, Law, Media and Sports, as well as News Reporting, News Editing, or Mobile Journalism. Review of applications begins Dec. 1, 2025.


The hire will mentor sports journalism students as they prepare for a multimedia career in sports. The hire also will collaborate with faculty and staff to identify, create and facilitate learning opportunities for students relating to writing, reporting and multi-platform journalism.


Lecturers are primarily devoted to instruction and are expected to teach up to eight courses per academic year, depending on the needs of the School. Lecturers who teach fewer than eight courses would also engage in service activities. The successful candidate should hold a master’s degree or higher in journalism, communication, or a related field, and have professional experience in sports journalism. Preferred qualifications include university-level teaching experience or experience supervising interns or new graduates in a professional setting. In the case of an applicant with significant professional experience (more than 10 years in sports journalism with a national reputation), we may be able to petition for appointment without an advanced degree. Appointment at the level of Senior Lecturer may be considered if the successful applicant has at least six years of full-time university-level teaching experience and can demonstrate teaching excellence.

About the School

The School of Journalism and Media is recognized for its accomplishments in academic scholarship and professional areas. The School offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in two areas of study: journalism (print/multimedia, broadcast/multimedia, sports/multimedia) and media arts and studies. The School is fully ACEJMC accredited and has served as the home for the Institute for Rural Journalism since 2004. The School also participates in the graduate program of the College that includes the M.A. and Ph.D. in communication. Students learn first-hand working at the award-winning Kentucky Kernel newspaper, KRNL Lifestyle and Fashion magazine and the Kentucky Kernel Year in Photos. UK offers student broadcast experience through WRFL, WUKY and Wildcat News, our award-winning student newscast. School alumni include Pulitzer, Emmy, Murrow, and Oscar winners, and current media makers with ESPN, CBS, NBC, NPR, CNN, EA, The Washington Post, and local media outlets around the country.


About the College

The College of Communication and Information comprises two schools (School of Information Science and School of Journalism and Media), two departments (Department of Communication and Department of Integrated Strategic Communication), and interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs. Nearly 100 full-time faculty lead 2,300 undergraduate majors and 350 graduate students while also teaching in the university’s core curriculum and serving students pursuing minors and certificates in the college. The College also houses University of Kentucky’s independent student newspaper, The Kentucky Kernel, and the championship winning Intercollegiate Debate program.


About the University

Located in the vibrant city of Lexington, the University of Kentucky is a public, land-grant institution that plays a critical leadership role in promoting economic development and human well- being. The campus is home to 36,000 students, more than 2,500 faculty members and more than 14,000 staff members. The university is one of just eight in the country with a major academic health center and a full spectrum of academic colleges and professional schools on one contiguous campus. As such, the University of Kentucky is an incubator for interdisciplinary research. These collaborations allow researchers to address the rapidly changing needs of a global society.


Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: www.uky.edu/HR/benefits.


About Lexington

Lexington is a city that truly has something for everyone. In 2024, the City of Lexington was named as one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 5 Best Small Cities in the U.S.” and was also ranked as a “Top 25 U.S. City with the Best Quality of Life” by Forbes, making Lexington a great place to not only live but also work and study. With a population of roughly 330,000, Lexington offers both the warmth and lower cost of living of a small city and the amenities you would enjoy in a larger city, including the arts, cultural events, and a thriving dining scene. https://www.visitlex.com/


Application materials should include: a letter of application, a curriculum vita, evidence of teaching excellence (attach as Specific Request 1), and contact information for three references when prompted in the application. Please note that references will not be contacted without prior consent.


Application review begins Dec. 1, 2025, and continues until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Search Committee Chair David Stephenson via email at davidstephenson@uky.edu.



Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No


Preferred Education/Experience

In the case of an applicant with significant professional experience (more than 10 years in sports journalism with a national reputation), we may be able to petition for appointment without an advanced degree. Preferred experience in university-level teaching experience or experience supervising interns or new graduates in a professional setting.



Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled
Yes


Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic statusor whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.