Details
1096994
University of Warwick
23/05/2025
2 Months
Working hours are flexible, but the successful candidate are expected to discuss their progress regularly with the team.
Not Applicable
Pay
£18.50
£2.23
Description
Role
We are looking for an experienced desk researcher to be part of the “Pilot Project to Capture Digital Education Capabilities in UK Universities” project.
Background. During COVID the Office for Students published “Gravity assist: propelling higher education towards a brighter future” with Advanced HE responding with it “Digital teaching and learning review” which highlighted three areas:
1. Meeting staff development needs where staff are fully supported in leading and developing curriculum design, delivery and assessment, and using technology to its best advantage.
2. Inclusivity so that no student is left behind through assumption or disadvantage
3. A strategic approach where digital is at the heart of institutional leadership, thinking and planning.
A benchmarking exercise of Warwick’s digital capabilities is required against the rest of the sector; there is a strong need to reflect and examine the institution’s digital position within the sector.
Aim. To undertake a desk-based survey—gathering publicly available information from comparable HE institutions on their digital education strategies, frameworks, and support mechanisms. The goal is to enable an initial cross-institutional comparison of how digital education is prioritised, resourced and how Warwick digital capabilities compare. This process includes examining whether sector-wide guidance (such as that offered by Advance HE on digital education) has tangibly influenced the development of clear, transparent, and well-publicised approaches to digital education all supported by core technologies. Further, the pilot will highlight how Warwick compares with that of other universities, identifying notable gaps and aspirations for continuous improvement and rationalisation. Outcome. A key outcome of this pilot project would be to design a larger piece of work, drawing on primary data to capture the lived experiences of academics engaged in education and using digital tools at Warwick and beyond.
The appointee will work with and be supported by the team Martyn Parker (Statistics) and Matt Street (Head of Digital Learning)
Duties and responsibilities
Undertake Desk-Based Survey:
- Conduct comprehensive desk-based research to gather publicly available information on digital capabilities and strategies adopted by comparable higher education institutions.
- Systematically review institutional websites, academic publications, policy documents, and other relevant sources to compile a repository of practices.
- Ensure the accuracy and reliability of the gathered information through verification and validation processes.
- Organise and categorise the collected data according to predefined criteria for ease of analysis and comparison.
Cross-Comparison of Institutional Practices:
- Analyse the collected data to identify key trends, similarities, and differences in digital capabilities and processes across different institutions.
- Capture findings in a brief report summarizing the findings of the desk-based survey, highlighting notable practices and potential areas of divergence.
Proposal for Follow-Up Research Design:
- Based on the findings of the desk-based survey, propose a research design for a follow-up study relying on primary data collection methods.
- Develop a clear rationale for the proposed research approach, considering the objectives of the project and the gaps identified in the initial cross-comparison.
- Outline the methodology, sampling strategy, data collection instruments, and analysis techniques to be employed in the follow-up research.
Documentation and Reporting:
Present the research proposals and findings to project stakeholders, including project leads, advisory groups, and relevant university committees.
Skills and experience
We are looking for candidates who possess the following skills and experience.
Essential:
Research Skills:
(1)Demonstrated experience in conducting desk-based research and literature reviews within academic or professional settings.
(2)Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and evaluate data of various types efficiently and accurately.
(3)Attention to detail and commitment to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of findings.
(4)Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and findings clearly and effectively.
(5)Proven ability to work independently and take initiative while also contributing collaboratively to team efforts.
Desirable:
(1)Familiarity with the higher education sector, particularly in the context of digital education.
(2)Understanding of digital education within universities and knowledge of relevant frameworks and guidelines.
(3)Experience with web scraping techniques and tools for collecting data from online sources.
(4)Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to identify key research questions, gaps, and opportunities for further investigation.
(5)Ability to approach research challenges creatively and develop innovative solutions to address them.
(6)Experience in preparing comprehensive research reports, summaries, and presentations for diverse audiences.
Familiarity with reference management software for organizing and citing literature sources (e.g., EndNote, Zotero).
For enquiries, please write to martyn.parker@warwick.ac.uk
Application deadline: Thursday 29 May 2025,
Location
Flexible working. This could be a combination of campus and working from home or working entirely from home with regular Microsoft Teams catch ups.
Additional information
Advert closes on - 29/05/2025