Research Fellow

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to August 2026 

Background

We are searching for a Research Fellow to contribute to an exciting new project.

INSPIRE (Intersectional Spaces of Participation: inclusive, resilient, embedded) is funded by Horizon Europe and aims to strengthen intersectional inclusion in participatory deliberative processes.

INSPIRE brings together 17 partners across Europe and will:

• Assess past and current participatory deliberative processes through an intersectional lens to identify the explanatory factors that facilitate and/or hinder inclusion/ exclusion patterns
• Investigate the constraints and affordances generated by the interplay between social, economic and political conditions in the configuration and development of participatory assemblage
• Co-design and co-deliver intersectionally-inclusive participatory assemblages through engagement with disempowered groups
• Coproduce new learning and action with public officials, citizens and a range of stakeholders to inform a more inclusive, and yet pragmatic, approach to participatory design and practice

The successful candidate will support the consortium, by working with Dr Sonia Bussu and will be based at the Department of Public Administration and Policy.

Role Summary

You will focus on two main project aims:

• 1) Co-design and co-deliver intersectionally-inclusive participatory processes through engagement with marginalised groups;
• 2) Coproduce new learning and action with public officials, citizens and a range of stakeholders to inform a more inclusive, and yet pragmatic, approach to participatory design and practice.

Specifically, you will

• Support the development and evaluation of a UK-based participatory process, working with diverse groups of young people experiencing intersectional oppressions to influence youth mental health policies;
• Help develop learning from across all 7 different participatory spaces co-designed with marginalised groups across the wider project (e.g., migrant women; people with disabilities; refugees from conflict zones; homeless people).

Person Specification

• PhD in in social sciences or considerable equivalent experience (completed or near to completion)
• Knowledge of the literature and recent practice of participatory deliberative democracy
• Excellent ability to undertake research by preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of fieldwork
• Excellent ability to work with an interdisciplinary research team and with partners outside academia.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, and ability to share and discuss research in accessible formats for diverse audiences.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with ability to work on own initiative and meet competing deadlines.
• Prepared to travel for meetings and events, and ability to work remotely (e.g. video conferences).
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Desirable:

• Interest in arts-based methods of participation for social change
• Interest in and understanding of participatory action research
• Ability to identify and address ethical issues in knowledge exchange, and public and stakeholder engagement.
• Understanding of the complex interface between research and public policy to address major societal challenges.

Informal enquires can be made to Dr Sonia Bussu, s.bussu@bham.ac.uk  

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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