Research Associate

Location: Other - See job description

About The Role

We have received funding through a SMART partnership from Welsh Government to look at climate change education in Additional Learning Needs settings in Wales. You will work with Swansea University and the Eco-schools programme through Keep Wales Tidy to identify and document best practice climate change education initiatives within special schools and pupil referral units across Wales.

You will visit special schools and PRUs across South Wales to meet with teachers and learners to gather information to meet the project objectives, which are:

• The identification and collation of existing exemplary practice of environmental and CCSE in ALN Settings and alternative provision settings across Wales, using the Keep Wales Tidy network and links to appropriate educational settings.
• Supporting the dissemination of these examples of exemplary practice across educational settings throughout Wales, through the Keep Wales Tidy network.
• The completion of a mapping and gapping exercise, to identify the gaps in current knowledge and availability of appropriate resources to support environmental and CCSE in ALN Settings and alternative provision settings and across the spectrum of additional learning needs.
• To liaise with key stakeholders within the ALN Settings and alternative provision sector to ensure that the educational resources created can be informed, developed and refined by educational practice.

This position will provide you with the opportunity to conduct academic research and build knowledge and expertise in two key areas: 
i) enhanced knowledge of climate change and sustainability education and ii) enhanced knowledge of working with learners with a range of additional learning needs.

This offers you the potential to develop as the first practitioner in Wales with specialist knowledge of both climate change and CCSE and supporting, designing and delivering resources for learners with additional learning needs.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

The University is a proud bilingual institution, our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

A satisfactory DBS certificate must be provided before a start date can be confirmed.

Closing Date: 29 September 2024

Interview Date: 11 October 2024

Informal Enquiries:

•  Dr Jennifer Rudd j.a.rudd@swansea.ac.uk
•  Dr David Thomas d.v.thomas@swansea.ac.uk

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