Adjunct Faculty - EAGSR 7500: Discourse Analysis - Conversations About Nonfiction; Independent Study; Summer 2026 Term II in Cambridge, Massachusetts at Lesley University

Lesley University's Department of Education is seeking a highly qualified adjunct faculty member to supervise an independent study: EAGSR 7500 - Discourse Analysis: Conversations About Nonfiction; Independent Study; Summer Term 2.

Course Description:
This independent study will explore how the use of nonfiction children’s literature may shape motivation, engagement, and learning among students with histories of trauma and behavioral challenges. Data will be gathered in a practitioner research study using discourse analysis of conversations about nonfiction children’s literature conducted with one individual. The concepts explored will include teacher inquiry, understanding traumatic responses, relational trust, and choosing supportive texts. The student will also gain experience with coding data, categorization, and reporting findings. The final project will be a case study using observation, discourse recordings, and student-created artifacts from the study. Data will be analyzed using both thematic and discourse analysis approaches, and will demonstrate the student's understanding of these analytical procedures common to qualitative research. The final paper will be a twenty-page document with short sections on the research on trauma-informed reading pedagogy and discourse analysis.

The independent study will be conducted in accordance with university guidelines for graduate independent studies. A successful candidate will have:

• A PhD or terminal degree in Education, Literacy, or a closely related field (required)

• Must have strong supervisory, teaching, and mentorship skills

Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 6,400 students and 90,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities.

Lesley is committed to the ongoing pursuit of strategic diversity initiatives that help to position diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to institutional and academic excellence at Lesley. In doing so, Lesley strives for a campus culture and community that fosters a true sense of belonging for all, provides opportunity for everyone to participate equally and fully in the Lesley experience, and helps to develop each individual's capacity to confidently and competently engage within and across difference. Given an evolving national context and the rapid change in the demographic profile of our country, the University has made a significant commitment to addressing and enhancing its campus climate and diversity capabilities as an institution.

A letter of interest, CV/resume, and a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, professional activity, and/or service must be included for full consideration.

At Lesley University we strive for a supportive and equitable environment where people -- regardless of race, ethnicity, color, sex, physical ability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in uniformed services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws -- can participate equally and fully as their true selves in all aspects of university life. Accordingly, the University prohibits discrimination based on these protected categories in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and in employment. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of our institution. Individuals may submit concerns or questions related to discrimination to the University's Director of Equal Opportunity. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity's webpage for the University's entire notice of nondiscrimination and for additional information.

Lesley University Adjunct Faculty positions are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). To view our compensation targets for this position, please visit this link.