Details
1107365
University of Surrey
02/03/2026
1 Month
Up to 40 hours of work in total.
Not Applicable
Pay
£19.02
£2.30
Description
Role
Project Summary
This role supports the early-stage development of a large UK research bid examining hate, abuse and inclusion in women’s football. The project responds directly to calls from elite players, clubs and sector organisations for robust evidence and practical solutions to online and offline abuse in the women’s game.
Open to candidates with a Postgraduate qualification (or near completion) in a relevant discipline (e.g. Sociology, Criminology, Social Policy, Gender Studies, Sport Studies, Media Studies or related field).
The research assistant would be involved in the scoping phase of the research focusing on:
• A targeted literature and evidence review on hate, abuse and fan culture in women’s football
• Supporting analysis of a short scoping survey distributed via professional football networks.
• Assisting with preparatory work to inform a future 2–3 year ESRC-funded research project.
The role will contribute to shaping a research programme that combines traditional.
social science methods with applied, co-produced outputs designed to support change
across the women’s football ecosystem.
£19.02 per hour.
£2.30 per hour holiday pay.
Hours and Duration • 40 hours total (flexible)
Work can be completed remotely
Hours per week to be agreed with the project team within the funding period
Duties and responsibilities
Conduct a focused literature and evidence review on hate crime in football, online abuse (such as homophobia, racism, transphobia, misogyny etc), as well as developing an understanding of fan culture in football (with a focus on the women’s game).
• Support the organisation, management and analysis of a short scoping survey aimed at clubs, organisations and stakeholders which has the purpose of mapping contemporary knowledge of the key issues relating to hate in the women’s game, and how a future research project could examine these issues.
• Assist with preliminary qualitative and quantitative data analysis of survey responses.
• Support the preparation of briefing notes and summary documents to inform grant writing.
• Contribute to mapping existing research, policy and sector activity (e.g.governing bodies, charities, campaigns).
• Assist the project team with developing contacts and establishing networks within the women’s game.
• Work closely with the project team to meet deliverables and timelines.
Skills and experience
Essential Criteria
Postgraduate qualification (or near completion) in a relevant discipline (e.g. Sociology, Criminology, Social Policy, Gender Studies, Sport Studies, Media Studies or related field).
• Experience conducting literature reviews and desk-based research.
• Understanding of social research methods, including qualitative and/or quantitative analysis.
• Interest in issues relating to sport, gender, inequality, hate crime, or online harms.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage tasks independently.
• Clear written communication skills.
Desirable Criteria
• Knowledge of football, sport cultures or fan communities.
• Familiarity with the phenomenon of hate crime.
• Experience working with survey data.
• Familiarity with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) frameworks.
• Experience producing short research summaries or reports.
Location
Work can be completed remotely.
Benefits
This role offers valuable experience contributing to the development of a high-profile research bid addressing pressing issues in women’s football, including hate crime and inclusion. The successful candidate will gain insight into early-stage research design, literature synthesis and applied social research linked to real-world policy and practice.
Additional information
The role is part of a pump-priming award to support a large external funding application. As such, tasks are focused on scoping, synthesis and preparation rather than primary data collection involving personal or sensitive information.