Scribe And Research Assistant

We are looking for a Research Associate (RA) to join the team of the Horizon 2020 project SUPERB (Systemic Solutions for Upscaling of Urgent Ecosystem Restoration for Forest-related Biodiversity and Ecosystem services). The RA will work on the social study of societal engagement with forest restoration on digital media. The work will be informed by one or more of the following: science and technology studies, social studies of science, Internet studies, new media studies, environmental humanities, environmental studies, (digital) sociology, platform studies, software studies, digital methods, creative methods, and participatory design research.

The RA will work as part of the KCL team of the SUPERB project. SUPERB is a large-scale research collaboration between 36 partner organisations across 17 European countries. The aim of this research project is to develop and implement solutions for forest ecosystem restoration across Europe in the service of supporting biodiversity and climate mitigation goals, in alignment with the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The position provides an exceptional chance to work with an interdisciplinary and cross-institutional team of leading experts on tackling a pressing societal problem. 

The RA will undertake grant development preparation, strategic research development and research communications as part of the final phase of the SUPERB project, alongside the project PIs. They will be supervised by Dr. Liliana Bounegru, Senior Lecturer in Digital Media, Culture and Society, and Dr. Jonathan Gray, Reader in Critical Infrastructure Studies.

The Research Associate will be working in the department of Digital Humanities which is part of the Faculty of Arts & Humanities at King's College London. The department is a global leader in researching digital culture and society, and in exploring the use of advanced technology-related methods in humanities research. It is the largest and most prestigious department of its kind worldwide, ranked first in the UK (along with the Department of Culture, Media & Creative Industries) in the latest Research Excellence Framework. Its current work includes topics such as big and open data, cultural curation and preservation, digital labour, global infrastructures, networked identities, and democracy (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ddh). 

Responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the development of an agenda-setting academic article based on empirical social media research undertaken under SUPERB, focused on how digital media research into forest-society relations can support ecosystem restoration. The research article will serve to demonstrate the value of this approach and support its integration into future funding proposals. 
• Developing packages of materials that can be built into future funding bids around the themes of the SUPERB project. This may include:
  • Mapping and assessing requirements for relevant upcoming collaborative funding calls in the area of digital media, technologies and the environment. 
  • Collaborating with SUPERB project partners to develop themes for future bids.
  • Conducting a state-of-the-art mapping of research methods at the intersection of media studies, public participation, and ecological challenges, including the connections between AI and environmental issues. 
  • Publicising SUPERB project research outputs to maximise the visibility and impact ahead of a new funding bid, eg by developing blog posts and public-facing articles aimed at a wider audience.

Expected outcomes of the RA's work: 

• A package of materials to inform and strengthen a forthcoming funding application in the area of digital media, technologies and the environment (particularly forests). 
  • A synthesis of shared research interests and emerging themes for inclusion in future funding bid work packages.
  • A detailed description of KCL's methodologies in this area.
  • A summary of relevant previous and ongoing projects conducted by KCL related to media, participation and ecological issues. 
• A draft of a peer-reviewed, agenda-setting research article on media, participation, and forest ecosystem restoration (in collaboration with the SUPERB team).
• A series of public-facing outputs (e.g. blog posts, articles) highlighting the SUPERB project's outcomes, especially around public engagement with forest restoration demo sites across Europe.

Further information

Candidates will be evaluated based on the above-mentioned criteria and should ensure that their application letter provides evidence of how this criteria is met. 

Please provide an application letter of no more than two pages A4, a CV of no more than two pages A4, and a list of research projects and publications of no more than one page A4 by Friday, 4 July, 2025. The application letter should clearly state how the candidate will contribute to the project. Please be prepared to submit the names and contact details of two referees familiar with your academic record and research skills upon request. Please send to: jonathan.gray@kcl.ac.uk and liliana.bounegru@kcl.ac.uk. 

The interviews will take place in the week of 14-18 July.

They will be supervised by Dr. Liliana Bounegru, Senior Lecturer in Digital Media, Culture and Society, and Dr. Jonathan Gray, Reader in Critical Infrastructure Studies.

 The Research Associate will be working in the department of Digital Humanities which is part of the Faculty of Arts & Humanities at King's College London. 

For questions or further information about this opening please contact the project co-PI, Dr. Liliana Bounegru at liliana.bounegru@kcl.ac.uk. 

Week 12 Policies:

KCL's policy is to ensure equal treatment applies to the basic working and employment conditions of the agency worker such as: duration of working time, overtime, breaks, rest periods, night work, holidays, public holidays and pay. 

Holidays 27 days + Public days Pro-rata (35 days in total).

Please see above skills and qualifications required. 

Qualifications and Skills Required: 

1. PhD in relevant field or equivalent research experience (digital media studies, digital social studies, social studies of science and technology, science and technology studies, Internet studies, (digital) sociology, platform studies, software studies, environmental humanities, environmental studies, digital culture, participatory design, creative methods). 
2. Demonstrable research skills in the area of science and technology studies, (digital) environmental humanities and/or Internet studies (as demonstrated by a PhD, publications or research projects in this area). 
3. Demonstrable experience with research software for digital media data collection and analysis (e.g. spreadsheets, social media data collection and analysis tools, etc.)
4. Ability and demonstrable experience in conducting collaborative research in multidisciplinary teams, using interdisciplinary research methods and approaches. 
5. Demonstrable experience or substantive interest in one or more of the research objects of this project, such as forests, forest science and policy, biodiversity, climate change and ecosystems restoration. 
6. Demonstrable experience working with theoretical frameworks from fields such as social studies of science and technology, science and technology studies, digital culture, digital media studies, Internet studies, digital sociology, platform studies, software studies, environmental humanities and participatory design (as demonstrated by a PhD, publications or projects in this area). 
7. A record of relevant research in areas relevant to the SUPERB project, commensurate with the stage of the candidate's academic career.
8. The skills, interest, flexibility and commitment to be a fully participating member of the project team, to work interpedently and to help build its research and achieve its goals.
9. Excellent analytical, communication, presentation and inter-personal skills.
10. Excellent organizational skills, including organizing research sprints and meetings. 
11. Excellent written and spoken command of English, as demonstrated by writings in English-language outlets.

Project Overview:

This project focuses on maximising the benefits of the Year Abroad in a Modern Languages degree. It aims to explore how the skills and experiences gained during the Year Abroad can be better integrated into the final year curriculum and how returning students can be more effectively supported and reintegrated into the academic and social environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the academic lead and other stakeholders on curriculum co-creation initiatives.
• Design and distribute surveys to gather insights from students about their Year Abroad experiences.
• Lead and facilitate focus groups with returning students to explore their experiences and gather qualitative data.
• Analyse survey and focus group data and contribute to the development of recommendations for curriculum enhancement.
• Assist in the creation and delivery of activities and events aimed at improving students? sense of belonging upon return.
• Support the development of resources that help integrate Year Abroad experiences into final-year academic work.
• Contribute to the writing of project reports, summaries, and recommendations for internal and external dissemination.
• Participate in regular project meetings and contribute to project documentation and reporting.

Current undergraduate student in the BA in Modern Languages with experience of the Year Abroad programme.

Essential:

• Current undergraduate student in the BA in Modern Languages.
• Experience of the Year Abroad programme.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence in leading discussions and facilitating focus groups.
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise reports.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Interest in curriculum development and student experience enhancement.

Desirable:

• Experience with survey tools (e.g., Microsoft Forms, Google Forms).
• Event planning or student engagement experience.
• Basic data analysis skills.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful curriculum innovation.
• Gain experience in academic research, qualitative methods, and project work.
• Develop transferable skills in communication, analysis, facilitation, and reporting

Reference: KPRI24

Department: King?s Careers & Employability/The Policy Institute

Role Structure: Part-time (0.2 FTE) alongside your studies / Fixed-term Contract

Start Date: October 2024 for 9 months

Role Location: Hybrid, working remotely and also on the Parliamentary Estate, Westminster

Deadline: 23:59 on 26 August 2024

Interviews: 12 and 13 September 2024 (you must be available for this)

Contact Details: Maria Sanz Taberner ? Work-based Learning Senior Support Officer via internships@kcl.ac.uk  

Restriction: Open to current King?s PhD students and Post-doctoral staff only. We encourage applicants to discuss their interest in the Programme with their Academic Supervisor to both support their application and determine whether such an application is achievable alongside the academic and research commitment of their studies.

About the Programme

The King?s Parliamentary Research Internships programme is a unique opportunity for King?s PhD and post-doc researchers to engage directly with the inner workings of parliament and policy, alongside their academic studies.

It is an exceptional opportunity for candidates interested in broadening their awareness and understanding of the political process - heightening their knowledge of the work of the House of Lords, honing their attributes, developing new skills and, through direct work with members of the House of Lords, gaining experience and networks to help build future career success. You can read more about the programme here.

To access an article about what it is like to take part in this Internship, written by one of our 2021-22 Participants, click this link.

?It has been an amazing experience to do work on an issue that could positively impact the lives of millions and to have received my Peer?s guidance throughout the process. Furthermore, the friendships I developed with the other King?s researchers partaking in the programme have been so rewarding.? ? 2022-23 Participant.

About the Role

Interns will be individually matched with Peers, providing the opportunity to observe and, indirectly, contribute to the business of the Lords. They will work both independently and with some involvement in broader engagement fora and structures including (potentially) APPGs, select committees or wider shadowing of and involvement in Peers? individual work beyond Parliament.

Whilst each opportunity will vary in its specific projects and scope, individuals will work with Peers to identify and agree a programme of work that is likely to include tasks such as provision of research support and analysis, written briefings or summaries, preparation for committees and support to all aspects of the Peer?s work. Most Peers work across a range of issues and so interns will be expected to provide research on issues that extend beyond their primary or core discipline.

In partnership with their Peer, each intern will agree a work schedule that suits both parties and may include working from time to time on the Parliamentary Estate. In this case, and subject to security checks carried out by Parliamentary services, it may be possible for the Peer to secure a Parliamentary Pass for the duration of the internship.

Specific details on the role profile and specification for each internship are provided in this job pack.

This is an exciting opportunity for candidates looking to develop their knowledge, attributes and skills through new experiences which help bring their academic study to life.

Core tasks are likely to include:

• Horizon scanning for forthcoming issues that lie within the Peer?s areas of interest
• Analysis, evaluation and interpretation of data to ensure they are accurately informed
• Preparation and presentation of research and analysis for the purposes of briefing notes for committees, articles, presentations and press releases
• Preparation and presentation of research and analysis for drafting of oral and written questions and for spoken contributions in debates
• Support for specialist commissions or inquiries in which the Peer may be engaged
• Research into aspects of legislation and policy to support engagement with bills at all their stages in the Lords
• Research into specific policy areas, as agreed, to support development of Private Members? Bills
• Identifying subject experts and stakeholders on specific topics, convening meetings and roundtables for the Peer, where appropriate
• Monitoring media coverage and briefing accordingly
• Bringing research-informed advice to specific policy matters
• Keeping abreast of developments relating to key issues of interest, as agreed, to ensure the Peer is well informed in a fast-changing environment
• Dealing with particularly complex queries on the Peer?s behalf, including drafting letters

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. The list is indicative, based on the experience of previous interns and Peers. However, these are unique opportunities, and the post holder will work with their Peer to agree a work programme with an appropriate range of tasks, responsibilities, and outputs. These will be in line with tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

This year, we are particularly interested in applications from candidates who have experience, interest or academic research related to:

• Cultural Policy and Creative Arts
• Food, Chemical, and Medical Regulation
• Human Rights 
• Housing Development, Physical and Mental Health 
• Revising the chambers of other major liberal democracies to inform the UK?s own 
• LGBTQ+ and bridging the gap between Westminster and Academia 
• Adult Social Care, Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism, and Assisted Suicide 
• Physical Disability, Devolution and the UK, and women in Defence services 

Application & Assessment

ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE A CURRENT (2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR) KING'S COLLEGE LONDON PhD STUDENT OR POST-DOC RESEARCHER.
Applicants from other programmes or individuals who do not meet this criteria will be automatically rejected as ineligible.

Please pay careful attention to the below criteria in order to ensure you understand how your application will be received, reviewed and scored:
 

• Your application should consist of a standard CV and cover letter, clearly setting out how you meet the essential criteria as a starting point, and if possible, the desirable criteria.
• If you do NOT provide both of these, or do not meet the basic screening question on eligibility for the programme, your application will not be scored and will be immediately marked as "not selected" on our Talent Bank system.
• All eligible applications will be scored against criteria by a panel, who will determine the degree to which the full application meets the criteria - starting with essential, and utilising the desiable criteria if necessary. The collective of these scores will be totalled and the top candidates invited to interview.
  • Find tips on writing your application and supporting statement on our website.
• All eligible applications which are NOT invited for interview will receive basic feedback from our team on why their application may not have been taken forward. Due to the number of applications received, this initial feedback process is based off a number of criteria prompts and will be automated.
• Interview & Assessment will be held on September 12 and 13 2024 - please ensure before applying that you are able to attend an interview on one of those dates and that they are held in your diary. We are unable to provide additional interview slots due to panel availability, so if you are unable to make these dates, please do not make an application.
• The interview & asssessment process will consist of:
  • A pre-drafted written task, to be shared with us via the email provided, before your interview slot. Shortlisted candidates will be given at least 3 working days to complete this task.
  • A 45-50 minute online panel interview with members of The Policy Institute and the House of Lords.
• The panel will make their assessment on the marking scheme for their interview questions - alongside considering the research and experience match of shortlisted candidates, based on the specific Peers who have chosen to host an intern in any given year. The two of these factors together will determine successful candidates and the specific match to a Peer.

Please submit your CV and cover letter via King's Talent Bank, following the "Apply" button above.

Find tips on writing your application and supporting statement on our website. You can also book a 1:1 appointment with our experienced and knowledgeable career consultants through King's CareerConnect (through the appointments tab).

Your application should consist of a CV and cover letter, clearly setting out how you meet the essential criteria as this is how we shortlist applications.

Find tips on writing your application and supporting statement on our website.

Successful candidates will be shortlisted by King?s Careers & Employability and invited to interview with a King?s panel before being matched Peers. Interviews will take place 12 and 13 September 2024.

?Bringing academic research, Parliamentary processes and policy development together can be a simple step to solve complex problems for public good. Above all, working with my Peer has been a lifechanging experience and an immense privilege.? ? 2022-23 Participant.

Essential Criteria

Knowledge

• Knowledge and/or awareness of the UK policy landscape
• Demonstrable interest and understanding of the Parliamentary & legislative processes

Skills & Attributes

• Application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, specifically those applied in social research, data management and statistics.
• Excellent and concise writing skills, including reports and briefings.
• Ability to review documentation, policy and reports and clearly articulate salient points to different audiences.
• Ability to confidently present findings to different audiences, including Parliamentarians.
• Confidence and ability to work flexibly, coping with multiple tasks, projects and reports and competing demands in an agile fashion
• Collaborative approaches to delivery ? solution-orientated, proactive and self-motivated.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing, and orally. 
• Ability to work independently where needed.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly in a multi-faceted environment to Peers and a range of other stakeholders at various levels of seniority. 

Experience

• Experience working in a policy-related field
• Strong digital capabilities, including usage of business communication platforms and research packages