Job Purpose

This role offers an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator project ‘Art and Policy in the Global Contemporary: Examining the role of the arts in the production of public policy’ (POLART) (2024-2029). You will be a key member of the project team that will examine the relationship between art and policy through a double focus: on the one hand, an investigation of how the arts shape, steer and reform public policy, and on the other, how policy issues may alter the contemporary artistic canon and forms of engagement. The position offers the successful candidate a chance to shape this important new interdisciplinary field, whilst benefitting from the wider career development opportunities available through the globally recognised division of Urban Studies and Social Policy at the University of Glasgow.

The role involves contribution towards the design, delivery and analysis of empirical work in the project, as well as to the writing and submission of research publications. The post-holder will also be expected to participate in policy and public engagement activities, training courses, and academic events.

This post will be based in Urban Studies and Social Policy, School of Social & Political Sciences in Glasgow, Gilmorehill Campus.  We do, however, have flexibility in regard to where the postholder will be based and will be happy to discuss this in more detail at the interview. Please note that there is an expectation that the successful candidate will need to travel to Glasgow on a regular basis as required by the project. The University will not cover the cost of overnight stays or travel costs to visit the Gilmorehill Campus in Glasgow and the successful candidate will need to be based in the UK for the duration of the contract.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Perform the following activities in conjunction with the Principal Investigator (PI) and the other team members as appropriate:

1.        Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research, independently or jointly as required, and taking responsibility for a core element as appropriate, in accordance with the project objectives.

2.        Liaise with the PI and the team regularly to discuss on-going research, identify key issues and themes, and compare and synthesise data and findings.

3.        Take the lead on planning and preparing all research access in the field and ensuring all necessary permissions are in place for the research project to proceed.

4.        Conduct qualitative analysis, interpret the results, and write up and share project findings in a clear and professional manner.

5.        Maintain accurate and up-to-date records documenting the research process and regularly report on progress at research meetings.

6.        Be responsible for ensuring that all data are processed and managed in compliance with applicable legislation, ethics regulations and School policies.

7.        Liaise with external colleagues around related research and possible opportunities for collaboration.

Publication and dissemination

8.        Review relevant literature for the research project and use this to take the lead in drafting research articles for publication in high quality international journals.

9.        Participate in academic seminars and conferences at national and international level and engage with relevant academic research networks within the UK and abroad.

10.    Provide content on research findings for publicity materials and the website and participate in social media and press communications.

11.    Write up research findings/outcomes for publication in leading journals for disseminations as appropriate.  Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting progress reports and papers as appropriate.

KE and Engagement

12.    Take the lead in organising meetings and participating in knowledge exchange and engagement events organised by research stakeholders including policy makers, practitioners, non-academic analysts and members of the public.

13.    Translate research findings into non-technical language, respond to requests for information about the research (e.g. give evidence for Parliamentary committees) and prepare research briefing papers and reports for a range of non-academic audiences.

Other activities

14.    Contribute to the overall success and legacy of the project by developing an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to working with other research networks in order to exchange research findings, share and develop methodological expertise and explore opportunities for cross-cutting analysis and interdisciplinary publication.

15.    Identify potential areas for development and opportunities for additional funding and contribute to the preparation of field-related research proposals and grant applications to external funding bodies.

16.    Participate in research training activities within the School.

17.    Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School and/or PI.

18.    To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan - Inspiring People – Changing the World.

http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/strategy/people/

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) with at least 2 years’ post-doctoral experience in an arts and humanities discipline, or related role(s). Alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.  

A2 Knowledge of a range of qualitative methods including participant observation, interview and discourse analysis and willingness to undertake training as required.

Desirable

B1 Have a PhD in Art theory/history/curation, or in Cultural Studies;

B2 Familiarity with research literature on socially-engaged art, large international exhibitions (their design, delivery and impact) and the field of art and politics.

Skills

Essential

C1 Ability to organise and conduct fieldwork research, including using methods such as archival research, participant observation and interviews;

C2 Ability to analyse and organise resources in order to manage time and workload effectively;

C3 Research creativity and strong inter-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate;

C4 Demonstrable ability to interpret, explain, present and communicate the results of qualitative data analysis to different audiences (including academics, policy makers, practitioners and other non-specialists);

C5 Proven initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently and/or as part of a team;

C6 Good data management skills, including open access.

Experience

Essential

E1 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals and/ or at conferences appropriate to career stage.

E2 Experience and interest in communicating (written and oral) research findings to a wide range of stakeholders.

E3 Experience of managing and analysing large datasets, keeping shared workspaces tidy and appropriately documenting workflow.

E4 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

Desirable

F1 Experience of analysis of curatorial theory and practice

F2 Experience of researching art and politics

F3 Experience of working independently in an art exhibition setting

F4 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

F5 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Sotiria Grek, Sotiria.Grek@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions 

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding up to 31 August 2029.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

Closing Date:  23:45 on 22 May 2025