Senior Researcher – storytelling and advocacy in creative education

The opportunity

This role could be offered as an internal secondment for current employees who are interested in the role.

Do you believe in the power of creativity and its ability to facilitate social, political and environmental change? Do you have experience in research, campaigning, or creative education? If so, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of creative campaigning at one of the world's leading arts institutions.

At University of the Arts London, we believe in the power of creative storytelling and creativity to engage audiences, raise awareness and insight policy change. Across our disciplines, we explore ways to blend artistic and narrative-driven approaches with traditional campaigning techniques. 

As a Senior Researcher, you will play a key role in identifying, amplifying, and embedding these practices across the university. Your role will be key to ensuring that the next generation of creatives are equipped with the skills to advocate for positive change in the world, using their creative and storytelling expertise.

To achieve this, you will collect, analyse and synthesise current practices across UAL that bring storytelling, advocacy and campaigning into the creative discipline, as well as identify new opportunities that UAL can undertake to build capacity for storytelling, advocacy and campaigning, and how these can be embedded within courses across the university.

Your profile

This is a varied role that would suit individuals from a variety of backgrounds. 

You will demonstrate a good understanding of advocacy techniques, strategic campaigning, or grassroots organising, ideally with experience in campaigning, organising, or cultural strategy. Additional experience of training and capacity-building for creative campaigners, as well as a strong understanding of creative education and its intersection with social change, is also essential.

In addition to your strong creative skillset and campaigning expertise, you will demonstrate a keen interest in how creativity facilitates tangible social and environmental change; how arts and culture can influence behaviour, shift narratives, and impact policy; and how that can be taught and embedded in higher education.

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

Application process

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding.

We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page.

Start your application

Candidates are advised to submit applications early.