Johnson, Martin

UNC Service

Director of Undergraduate Studies, English and Comparative Literature (2021-2024).
Member, University Committee on Copyright (2021-2024)
Member, Campus Arts Council (2022-Present)
Acting Director, Film Studies, English and Comparative Literature (2022)
Member, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, English and Comparative Literature (2021)
Member, Library Advisory Board (2021-2022)
Member, Faculty Handbook Committee, English and Comparative Literature (2021-2022)
Curator, Ackland Film Forum, Ackland Art Museum (2018-present)
Member, Global Cinema Advisory Board (2018-Present)

Candidate Statement

I am running for the position because I believe that the Library is the lifeblood of the University. Libraries are both repositories for knowledge and conduits for the ongoing transmission of new research. For AY2021-2022, I served on this board in the place of my colleague Inger Brodey, who was on research leave, and was able to learn firsthand about the many challenges the Library faces, including the rising costs of journal subscriptions, the struggle to hire and retain excellent staff, and, of course, budget shortfalls that make it difficult to address the first two items. If elected to this position, I will serve as an advocate for Arts & Humanities faculty, whose library needs are complex and diffuse. I am particularly interested in meeting with faculty from across the Arts & Humanities to learn more about their library needs.