Research Assistant

Reference
1106456

Branch
University of Warwick

Start date
12/01/2026

Duration
Other - See Job

Hours and days
1.5 days per week

Dress code
Smart Casual

Rate of pay
£16.46

Holiday rate
£1.99

Role

To provide research assistance on the project “Building Community-University Partnerships for the 21st Century”, funded by the Warwick ‘Enhancing Research Culture Fund’ and the Society and Culture Research Spotlight. This project is led by Dr Rebecca Morris and Prof Briony Jones. 

This important and timely study will explore the role of the ‘civic university’ within the West Midlands region, examining the impact and influence of higher education institutions and the partnerships that they develop and foster with community organisations.

The multi-phase and mixed methods project includes a number of core elements, including:

1. An in-depth scoping review to understand the role of civic university work within the contemporary UK higher education context.
2. Organisation of public-facing events to gather views and experiences relating to the university’s role and its partnerships.
3. Interviews with non-academic partners and organisations, plus focus groups with university colleagues. 
4. Dissemination of key findings and learning, including report/article writing, the development of a website and resource toolkit featuring case studies of example university-community partnerships and conference participation.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Conducting a systematic scoping review of literature and policy relating to the civic university and university-community partnerships.

2. Supporting the team with the ethics approval process

3. Organising three public-facing events for non-academic, community audiences and contributors.

4. Planning and carrying out interviews and focus groups with university colleagues and non-academic, community organisations.

5. Supporting with promotion and information-sharing relating to the project e.g. via social media and university/non-academic or community networks and channels.

6. Supporting with the development of written reports, resources and website content, and dissemination of findings.

Skills and experience

•    Holding or working towards a postgraduate qualification.

•    Knowledge and experience of event planning and organisation, particularly with non-academic participants/partners

•    Interest in and experience of research engagement and knowledge exchange

•    Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

•    Knowledge and experience of conducting high-quality literature reviews

•    The ability to work independently and as part of team

•    Experience of conducting interviews and undertaking qualitative data analysis

•    Record keeping, data management and meeting deadlines will be essential for this role

•    (Desirable) Knowledge of current UK higher education policy and the civic university mission.

Location
Flexible

Additional information
Job start date - 12.01.26

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