Festival Research Assistant

Reference
1098555

Branch
University of Gloucestershire

Start date
07/07/2025

Duration
1 - 2 Weeks

Hours and days
This is a project-specific role, requiring a total of 12 hours of work over two days within the festival period (Thursday, July 10th to Saturday, July 12th, 2025).

Dress code
Smart Casual

Rate of pay
£16.40

Holiday rate
£1.98

Role

The School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire is a vibrant and interdisciplinary environment committed to impactful research and innovative teaching. Our work spans a diverse range of fields, addressing contemporary societal challenges and contributing to academic discourse and practical solutions. We foster a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging researchers to engage with real-world issues and produce outputs that benefit both academic communities and the wider public. 

The Research Project: Exploring Heterotopia and Nostalgia in Festival Spaces: 

We are seeking highly motivated Festival Research Assistants to contribute to an exciting research project titled "Exploring Heterotopia and Nostalgia in Festival Spaces: Embodied Experiences and Symbolic Interactions at 2000trees festival." 

This study uses symbolic interactionism to examine how festival spaces, particularly 2000trees festival, evoke nostalgia, home, and pre-modern existence through the concept of heterotopia. We will investigate how organizers create elements of fantasy and hedonism, and how attendees embody and experience these concepts, especially concerning their sense of space and belonging. 

Data collection will primarily involve interviews and focus groups with festival camp organizers and volunteers, alongside community mapmaking activities and a festival survey. The unique "festival family" at 2000trees, which includes volunteers, paid staff, long-term attendees, and fan-led camps, provides a rich context for understanding how communities are formed and sustained within festival environments. This broader festival community serves as a microcosm for exploring the cultivation and maintenance of nostalgia, belonging, and shared experiences. 

We are committed to supporting our research assistants. Comprehensive onboarding will be provided for all necessary research methods and for understanding conduct expectations within the festival environment. 

Duties and responsibilities

Data Collection Support (July 2025): 

• Assisting with the setup and operation of the Community Mapmaking Stall at the 2000trees festival (July 10-12, 2025). This will involve engaging directly with festival attendees, explaining the activity, taking informed consent, and facilitating their written or drawn responses to the prompt: "What does 2000trees mean to you?" 
• Providing logistical and administrative support during interviews and focus groups with fan-led camp participants and festival 'build/break' volunteers/live team members. This may include note-taking, ensuring smooth recording of sessions, and managing participant consent forms. You may be able to lead some interviews and support will be provided if you wish to do this. 
• Assisting with the administration and monitoring of pre- and post-festival online surveys, ensuring data integrity and participant engagement. 

Logistical and Administrative Support: 

• Assisting with the preparation of research materials, including the formatting of survey instruments, interview guides, and focus group prompts. 
• Handling and organizing art supplies, pens, and post-it notes for the Community Mapmaking Stall.
• Providing general administrative support to the research team as required, including data entry and -initial organisation of collected materials. 

General: 

• Adhering to all ethical guidelines and data protection regulations (GDPR) throughout the research process, ensuring participant anonymity and data security. 
• Communicating effectively with the research team and participants. 
• Contributing to a positive and collaborative research environment. 

Skills and experience

Essential Criteria: 

Experience: 

• Demonstrable interest in social science research, events or cultural arts studies, or related fields. 
• Experience in a support role, particularly one involving interaction with the public or data collection. 

Skills: 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse individuals. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for managing materials and data. 
• Basic IT literacy, including proficiency in using online forms/surveys. 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. 
• A proactive and adaptable approach, particularly when working in a dynamic environment like a festival. 

Personal Attributes: 

• Highly motivated and enthusiastic about contributing to a research project. 
• Reliable and punctual, especially for scheduled data collection days. 
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and adhering to ethical research practices. 

Desirable Criteria: 

Qualifications: 

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree program (e.g., Sociology, Criminology, Event Management, Psychology). 

Experience: 

• Previous experience with qualitative and/or quantitative data collection methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups). 
• Experience working in a festival or large-scale event environment. 

Knowledge: 

• Familiarity with ethical considerations in research (e.g., informed consent, data anonymisation, GDPR). 

Location
Upcote Farm, Withington

Benefits
We want to make your experience as a Festival Research Assistant as smooth and beneficial as possible. You'll receive full support through: Pre-Festival Briefings: A "Festival 101" onboarding, presented by Andy Rea a few days before the event, will cover essential practicalities like what to bring and wear. You'll also receive a dedicated research skills onboarding from Drs. El Masri and Roberts. Travel and Expenses Covered: All your taxi travel between Cheltenham and the festival ground will be organised and paid for by Dr. El Masri from Thursday, July 10th, to Saturday, July 12th. Furthermore, the university will cover all your subsistence costs, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses for you. We will not provide overnight accomodation at the Festival. 

Additional information
Proposed Interview Dates: Monday 30 June-Tuesday 1 July

• Comfort is paramount: You will be on your feet for extended periods, moving between areas, and engaging with attendees.
• Comfortable, supportive footwear (e.g., sturdy trainers, walking boots) is essential. Avoid open-toed shoes, heels, or anything that could easily be damaged or become uncomfortable. 
• Layering for unpredictable weather: 
• July in the UK can bring sunshine, rain, and cooler evenings. We strongly recommend bringing multiple layers, including: 
  • Waterproof and windproof outer layers (jacket and trousers if possible).
  • Warm jumpers or fleeces for evenings.
  • Breathable t-shirts or tops
• Practicality: Choose clothing that allows for ease of movement and can withstand potential mud, dust, or spills. Durable fabrics are advisable.
• Professional yet approachable: While it's a festival, you will be interacting with the public in a research capacity. Avoid overly revealing clothing or attire with offensive slogans. Aim for a presentable appearance that feels appropriate for a university representative, while still being relaxed enough for the festival setting.
• No specific uniform: While there isn't a mandatory uniform, you may be provided with a branded t-shirt or lanyard to help identify you as part of the research team. This will be communicated during the "Festival 101" onboarding.
• Sun protection: Consider a hat, sunglasses, and regular application of sunscreen.