The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan invites applications for a tenured faculty position focused on teaching, research, and public engagement in the emerging field of democracy policy: an area of public policy research that treats democracy as a policy domain with identifiable problems, measurable outcomes, and actionable interventions. Just as health outcomes are dependent on health policy rather than medical practice alone, democratic resilience requires its own research infrastructure, practitioner training, evidence base, and policy framework. A scholar in this field might study domestic or global policies that support democratic norms, institutional legitimacy, and public trust in government, including administrative design and competence, state capacity, transparency, accountability mechanisms such as citizen oversight boards, election administration, franchise regulations (e.g., civil rights protections and imperialism), subnational administrative reform including redistricting policy, fair electoral representation, free speech protections, anti-corruption measures, and safeguards against politicization of public sector work. Democracy policy sits alongside established fields such as economic, social, education, health, and environmental policy, while drawing on questions of institutional design, quality, and resilience. It connects contemporary debates about abundance, democratic backsliding, and public interest technology by asking how public institutions can better meet public needs, reduce administrative burdens, protect core democratic norms, and build effective public goods. The successful candidate may work domestically, comparatively, or internationally across democracies worldwide, with a research agenda focused on policies that affect how institutions can generate more equitable representation and a more just distribution of resources, while also being strengthened and protected to sustain democratic legitimacy and performance.
Applications are welcome from a range of fields, including but not limited to political science, public policy, public administration, law, and other social science fields.
This position is part of a faculty cluster focused on democracy policy, data, and civic education, with two other faculty hires in the School of Information and the Marsal School of Education.
The position will have a university year appointment. The Ford School is committed to attracting and retaining a distinguished and diverse faculty. Successful candidates must demonstrate a record of research excellence appropriate to their rank; ability and willingness to teach core and elective courses in undergraduate, master and PhD degree programs in public policy; interest in public and policy engagement; and a keen interest in interacting with students, faculty, staff, and policy practitioners in an interdisciplinary professional school environment. We are open to negotiating joint appointments with other units at the university, such as the School of Environment and Sustainability, the School of Public Health, the college of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, the Institute for Social Research, and any other unit on campus.
Applicants must submit their applications electronically by visiting: https://apply.interfolio.com/188470 The following application materials are required: a letter of interest; curriculum vitae; a statement of research and policy interests; a statement of teaching experience and philosophy; the names of three references.
This is an ongoing search. First consideration will be given to applications received by September 13, 2026, but applications will be considered until the position is filled.
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
