Research Fellow (Gender & Social Justice) - (7455)

Fellowship Opportunity: Fellowship in Gender and Social Justice

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Research at Manchester Metropolitan:

The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Research team conducts leading research globally and influences national and international policies. This opportunity is to work in an established, exciting, and vibrant team situated within the School of Nursing and Public Health. The Research team is multi-disciplinary and adopts creative methodologies such as EBCD (evidence-based co-design) whilst embracing co-production with people who have lived experience.

Most recently the team has worked with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to produce recommendations for the Domestic Abuse Oversight Mechanism. The focus of four key report areas: Children's Social Services, Adult Social Services, Health, and the Criminal Justice System, has led to the production of reports, briefing papers, interviews on Channel 4, webinars on behalf of the Home Office, team member interviews on well-regarded professional podcasts, and blogs in conjunction with Metropolis. Other work by our team has seen the recognition of Smart Practice, informing the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) Homicide Prevention Framework through Operation Provide. This was a co-responder model between Police and domestic abuse specialists (IDVAs) in responding to live incidents of domestic abuse.

The team has a strong focus on intersectionality. The team recently completed an innovative study, in partnership with Durham University and University of Birmingham (part funded by IMPACTS), aimed at understanding sexual violence in higher education, particularly among minoritised groups.  This qualitative study project focused on the experiences of LGBTQAI+ individuals, Black and Minoritised communities, and disabled people, as these voices are often underrepresented in research. Each university has produced a set of recommendations for their universities to take forward based on student and staff interviews.  The ERSC funded HALT project was a three-year study that included outputs focusing on minoritised victims and perpetrators, and female perpetrators. Internationally, we have partners throughout Africa, with the most recent focus on education for women from the lowest economic backgrounds in South Africa.

Our policy influence continues through our Safeguarding and Violence Prevention work. A report on the Analysis of Child Practice Reviews was published in August 2023, and there will be more coming from this research in 2024. The findings were noted as “a basis for national shared learning and constructive debate about how best to strengthen safeguarding effectiveness for children at risk across Wales, and to further reduce the likelihood of significant harms occurring in the future. The learning identified is highly transferrable to the other nations of the UK” National Independent Safeguarding Board Wales, Chair Tony Young.

About the role: 

• To undertake world-leading and internationally excellent research using latest and innovative methodologies, as relevant in your area of research. 

• To prepare, present and publish research outputs through the appropriate forums e.g. research workshops, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, portfolios, academic journals etc. 

• To develop ideas for generating income to ensure the continued success and growth of research portfolio.  

• To disseminate findings of research widely to further the institution's standing in the HE and research community and strengthen the impact of the research.

• To engage in scholarly activities conducive to a long-term successful academic career that will support and enhance the research culture within the Department/ School, Faculty and University.

About the candidate: 

We are seeking applications from experienced researchers looking to develop their own body of work in the broad area of Gender-based Violence. You must have a doctoral-level qualification in a relevant social science discipline, including areas such as Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, Youth Studies, Politics, Health, Social Policy and Education.  As our work is centred on real world impact, we are keen to hear from those with practice and/or policy impact in their field. 

Requirements: 

• Doctoral level qualification in a related research area. 

• Possess breadth or depth of specialist knowledge and demonstrate potential for research independence.

• Excellent track record of relevant research outputs. 

• Significant research experience in the chosen field of research, which should include where appropriate: 
  • leading the work of a team, co-ordinating effort and resources to meet objectives 
  • developing partnerships within the University and with external agencies 
  • preparing funding proposals and applications to external bodies 
  • using initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches to research 
  • synthesising complex data from different sources and communicating findings via written reports and articles 
  • presenting at national and/or international research meetings 
  • supervising student work and providing appropriate support and feedback. 

• Experience of managing and monitoring performance of research projects in multi-disciplinary teams.

• Ability to manage projects involving academic institutions and funding bodies. 

Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification for a full list of essential & desirable criteria. 

Academic Contact: Prof Michelle McManus (M.McManus@mmu.ac.uk) to discuss the fellowship opportunity in detail. 

Application Process: 

To apply to the Fellowship, please provide the following documents: 

• Research Interest Statement (no more than two sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cms margin): Statement should include your long-term career aspirations, how your research till date and plans to develop and contribute towards your research interest in the future will impact the University's Research Strategy whilst working with an existing team of researchers.  

• Research Proposal (no more than four sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cm margins): Kindly provide a research proposal focused on a specific topic within the research faculty you are applying for. The proposal should be accompanied by a Gantt chart outlining a 3-year research timeline.  

• Curriculum Vitae (include details of your education, citizenship, publications, funding, employment history & names of referees) 

Please note that panels will not consider attachments that fall outside of the limits, where specified. 

We aim to offer up to a maximum of 15 fellow appointments, for which we will be assessing applicants competitively across the four faculties that are welcoming applications. 

Assessment Timelines: 

• The application window will be available for 8 weeks and will close on 29 May 2024
• Interviews will be held on-site in Manchester (where practical) in the w/c 17 and 24 June 2024
• We aim to make offers to successful candidates in the w/c 03 July 2024

Enquiries:

If you haven't found your specific area of research, please click here to sign up to our job alerts. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on researchfellowships@mmu.ac.uk   

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.    

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this throughout the application process.  

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