Job description

Culture, Media and Creative Industries, King’s College London, is a world-renown department focused on research and teaching in cultural and creative industries, arts management, cultural policy and global media industries. CMCI is looking for a part-time research associate who will work on ‘Sustainable Cultural Futures: Resetting Cultural Policy’ project. 

‘Sustainable Cultural Futures’ is an ESRC-funded cross-national collaborative project. The project, which will run for 36 months from February 2021 to January 2025, is the first major UK-Japan collaborative research project in the field of cultural policy. The UK team will work with a Japanese team based at Doshisha University. This project is thematically structured around three key issues: cultural values and purposes of cultural policy; key institutions of cultural work; and the digital pivot in cultural consumption and distribution. It will adopt a mixed research methodology, involving online surveys, a systematic literature review, interviews, case studies and focus groups. 

Under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, the Research Associate will develop a solid understanding of the three research themes and carry out literature review on them. They will conduct semi-structured interviews and case studies, and help to design online surveys and analyse survey results in collaboration with the Japanese team. The Research Associate will be actively engaged in planning research events and will chair some events.  

The RA will strengthen their comparative research ability and expand their international research networks. The PI will mentor them throughout the research period regarding their career and skills development. They will be encouraged to be actively involved in CMCI’s research events, be part of its research community and benefit from professional development training available at King’s College London. 

Applicants must hold a PhD in cultural policy, cultural management, cultural work or a relevant subject, and should have a good knowledge of cultural policy in the UK.  

Please provide:  

(1)   An up-to-date CV 

(2)   A cover letter 

(3)   A plan for publication for the next 3 years 

This post will be offered on  a fixed-term contract for 36 months

This is a part-time post - 50% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Writing a systematic review on cultural values and cultural policy  
• Literature review in the institutions of cultural work and the digital pivot in the cultural sector  
• Interviews with cultural practitioners, representatives of artist unions, policymakers and various experts. 
• Case studies of digital strategies of cultural organisations, which includes site visits and interviews    
• Focus groups with audience members  
• Assisting in planning and participating in cross-national research events, and chairing some  
• Assisting in designing surveys and analysing their results
• Writing or contribution to writing of interim reports based on survey findings
• Writing or contribution to writing of research publications
• Undertaking other reasonable research-related duties related to the project

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

1.       A completed PhD in cultural policy or a related area

2.       Good understanding of cultural policy in the UK  

3.       Evidence of academic research skills relevant to the job description and key responsibilities

4.       Ability to write publishable research articles

5.       Excellent verbal and written English

6.       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

7.       Excellent analytic skills

8.       Strong research interest in cultural policy, cultural work, the digitalisation of culture and related issues

Desirable criteria

1.       A strong plan for publication for the next three years

2.       Good access to cultural sector organisations and networks

3.       Experience in designing and analysing online surveys

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.