Lecturer in Social and Cultural Informatics

Job ID: 011664

Salary: £38,304-£45,026 per annum, inclusive of London Weighting Allowance

Posted: 11-Dec-2020

Closing date: 15-Jan-2021

Business unit: Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Department: Digital Humanities

Contact details: Stuart Dunn, stuart.dunn@kcl.ac.uk

Strand Campus   Academic and teaching    

Job description
The Department of Digital Humanities is seeking to appoint a Lecturer (Education and Research) to contribute to our teaching and research in all areas related to the analysis of cultural and social data. The post-holder will have a sound knowledge of the theory and practice of quantitative analysis in the humanities and/or social sciences. We welcome colleagues with experience in areas such as, but not limited to, network analysis, data visualization, corpus linguistics, the study of social media, and the exploration of historical datasets using quantitative methods. Experience of at least one programming language such as R or Python in the exploration of such areas, and the ability to teach it (or them) at beginner and intermediate level is an advantage, but not essential. We are looking for a range of expertise to support our fast-expanding MA programmes in digital culture, digital economy and digital asset and media management as well as our BA in Digital Culture.

Candidates will be expected to provide high quality teaching across all levels, including undergraduate, Masters, and PhD, to supervise undergraduate and graduate student dissertations, and to engage in excellent research, including the potential for grant capture.

This post is an opportunity for a qualified candidate to help shape the Department's evolving vision of teaching and research in Digital Humanities. The post holder will complement existing teaching in the Department and offer students new opportunities in quantitative analysis of the social and cultural records. She/he will support student specialisation in a range of related areas. A focus on linking practice with recent theoretical approaches to quantitative analysis, both in teaching and research, will be particularly appreciated.

Successful candidates will also undertake pastoral and administrative duties, including personal tutoring and contribution to Departmental, Faculty and University administration.

Candidates will contribute to the life and reputation of the Department, the Faculty, and the College through taking on an appropriate administrative role, contributing to internal networks and collaborations, taking part in external national and international activities, and undertaking industry and public engagement where appropriate.

The department is committed to building an equitable and diverse academic environment. We therefore welcome applicants from underrepresented communities and those who can demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion in teaching, research, mentoring and service

This post will be offered on a full-time, indefinite contract.

Key responsibilities

• Be accountable for the delivery of high quality teaching to students online and face-to-face
• Develop / improve teaching materials, reading lists, and where appropriate, interactive and practice led activities
• Create online lectures and seminars and make teaching material available through the learning system
• Assist in the preparation and assessment of assignments for core and optional modules
• Undertake the marking of coursework assignments and dissertations for core and optional modules
• Undertake dissertation supervision of BA and MA students
• Plan and manage own teaching
• Contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues on academic content and assessment of students' work
• Evaluate current provision and identify areas for improvement particularly around student feedback
• Collaborate with the team in ensuring that students' needs are identified and responded to in a timely fashion
• Respond to student feedback and to the further improvement and strategic development of Programmes and modules
• Stay up to date with scholarship in the field in order to incorporate into teaching practice and contribute to teaching innovation
• Identify opportunities for the development of new teaching lectures or exercises (or if need be modules) in your area of expertise and contribute fully to the development of such ideas
• Develop internal networks and external networks that foster collaboration and contribute to the management of teaching and research quality, audit and other external assessments
• Contribute to research in the Department through either working on a research proposal with a member of academic staff or through contributing to a research project led by an academic member of staff
• Make an appropriate contribution to the next Research Excellence Framework (REF), and share the Faculty's ethos whereby staff are committed to translating their research into outstanding teaching and student care
• Provide pastoral care for students
• Assist with admission of future students
• Undertake administrative roles as required
• Engage in professional development as appropriate

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.

Skills, knowledge and experience
Essential criteria

• PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualification or work experience in a relevant sector
• An in-depth understanding of the field of social and cultural analystics and digital humanities, including the use of quantitative methods
• An excellent understanding of current research and teaching in social and cultural anlytics
• Ability to communicate clearly and convincingly both orally and in writing to a wide range of individuals and groups, including overseas students, academic and professional services colleagues, and our cultural and industry partners
• A good knowledge of contemporary teaching and learning approaches in higher education and the ability to enthuse students with innovative teaching methods
• Experience of the development of learning materials and pedagogic innovation in teaching
• Experience of teaching and student supervision at all levels and for a multi-cultural audience
• Experience of effective assessment, marking, and provision of feedback for students
• Good interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships
• Excellent organisation skills and ability to work on own initiative

Desirable criteria

• Teaching qualification in higher education
• Experience of online teaching
• Work experience relevant to the field
• Knowledge of, and ability to teach, at least one programming language, such as R or Python