Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy - NRR
(posted 2025/04/10, listed until 2025/10/10)Position Description
With top-ranked graduate degree programs and one of the most popular undergraduate majors, the Sanford School of Public Policy aspires to be a leading school of public policy for the 21st Century and to be recognized in the region, in the nation, and throughout the world as a leader in the policy field. Sanford’s vision for what it means to be a great public policy school derives from its core values and from its mission statement: “The Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University educates tomorrow's leaders and improves the quality of public policymaking through teaching, research, professional training, and policy and community engagement.” As such, the Sanford School is committed to research that matters, teaching that empowers and inspires, deep engagement with the policy world, and to building a diverse and inclusive community.
One of Sanford's flagship programs is the Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree program. Through rigorous coursework in
policy analysis, and economics analysis, and with a foundation of quantitative
training, an understanding of policy’s political context, and a commitment to
ethical norms, the MPP program provides students with skills and competencies
that prepare them to be leaders and problem-solvers in a world that requires
solid policy formulation and evaluation skills across a multitude of pressing
issues.
The Sanford School of Public Policy is seeking applicants for an adjunct instructor position to teach a data visualization and communication course for the Master of Public Policy program in the 2025-26 academic year.
The course should cover an overview of data visualization with an applied/policy lens as main motivation. The focus is on helping students understand how to analyze and communicate data for policymaking together with some practical skills. Instruction in and use of specific tools like Excel, Tableau, and R, along with other visualization and business intelligence tools is encouraged. Topics may include data visualization fundamentals, critical analysis of visualization tools for misuse, bias, and ethical issues, consideration of accessibility aspects of data visualization, and the integration of and use of data visualizations into the broader data analysis and reporting framework.
Preferred candidates will have proven experience teaching graduate students, particularly in professional schools and with a public policy or social sciences focus; a commitment to student success and a passion for teaching; and excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and approachable manner.
A terminal degree in public policy, statistics, data science, economics, or a related field or the combination of significant professional experience and teaching background is required.
The Adjunct Instructor will:
- Teach half-semester or full-semester course(s)
- Prepare a syllabus that includes course objectives, readings, and assignments
- Grade assignments and provide written and verbal feedback on a timely basis
- Respond to student questions and issues related to the class; hold office hours
- Distribute required course evaluations to students at the end of the semester
- Provide final course grades within the University required time frame
- Use Duke University email address for course/Duke related correspondence
- Follow Duke University parking regulations
- Abide by Duke professional standards, including Duke's Harassment Policies and the Consensual Relationship Policy
- Protect the confidentiality, privacy, and security of student, staff, business, and other confidential, sensitive, electronic or proprietary information of Duke University from any source and in any form (spoken, paper, electronic, etc.) that is created, accessed, used, or disclosed by/to you
- Cover letter of interest
- Teaching statement (philosophy, approach, experience)
- Curriculum vitae/resume including education
- Names and contact information for 2 references
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Teaching statement
- Two references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses )
Further Info:
Sanford School of Public Policy
201 Science Drive
Durham, NC 27708