*Job: Research Fellow: Creative Economy Unit*
Digital Cultures Research Centre, UWE Bristol

(One-year Fixed Term Full Time post)

£32,004 to £38,183

Ref: 1623922

The Digital Cultures Research Centre (DCRC) is proposing to establish a creative economy research unit to conduct critical research into the contemporary creative sector, and support the work of creative and cultural organisations locally and nationally. The unit will strengthen UWE Bristol’s relationship with cultural and creative institutions in the region, offer consultancy, lead to new research, and generate a range of impacts for our partners.

This post will contribute significantly to the design of the unit. You will support the work of Professor Jon Dovey to continue the development of DCRC’s research and knowledge exchange programme in the area of cultural value. You will scope and map the existing landscape of creative economy research across HE and non-HE sectors. You will assess the potential for new collaborative projects that reflect the unit’s research remit, with a focus on developing work with cultural and creative economy partners. You will design proposals for short-term evaluative projects of cultural initiatives by mobilising approaches based in the practice of cultural ecology developed by the unit.

You will also play a key role in the successful delivery of a major peer-reviewed academic conference in Spring 2018, focusing on the role of universities in the creative and cultural economies of cities. You will be expected to engage with the diverse community of regional creative economy partners across the UWE portfolio, including those within the DCRC home base of the Pervasive Media Studio, and with complementary research clusters across the university.

UWE Bristol has a growing portfolio of work with the creative sector, and this unit will draw together existing expertise from within DCRC and across the University, developed through substantial high-level collaborative research with a range of local and national partners. These projects have developed spontaneously across a range of sites with a range of researchers in response to the emerging demands of partner organisations responding to economic and policy pressures. They include the UWE Bristol led REACT Knowledge Exchange Hub for the Creative Economy project, which was based on an approach to supporting collaborative knowledge exchange developed in partnership with Watershed and further developed through subsequent work on creative hubs, commissioned by the British Council. Simultaneously the AHRC funded Bristol & Bath by Design report was written within ACE Faculty and the Bristol Business School, combining qualitative and quantitative research with an historical account, to offer a rich 360-degree picture of the regional design sector. The Faculty has also undertaken a project mapping and evaluating the regional Film & TV industries, alongside an evaluative contribution to a report on the significance of Distributed Manufacture in the region. DCRC are also currently funded to work on the University Alliance “Hidden Story” project , evaluating the impact of Alliance Universities on the UK Creative Economy.

You'll be based in the Pervasive Media Studio, where the DCRC is a lead partner. Located in Watershed on Bristol’s Harbourside, the Studio is an open plan and diverse community with a culture of generosity and curiosity - sharing ideas and exploring experience design and creative technology.

How to Apply

If you are interested in playing a significant role in the continuing development of an internationally recognised research centre, and keen to work with an innovative and challenging programme of activity, visit http://bit.ly/2lDk7Yf for a full job description, further information, UK eligibility requirements and application instructions.

For an informal discussion please contact Professor Jon Dovey on 0117 370 8874 or via email to [log in to unmask]

Please submit your completed application by 1 March 2017.

The post is available as a one-year fixed term contract within the salary range of £32,004 to £38,183 per annum, commensurate with experience and achievement.

Applications for this post must be submitted using the UWE online eRecruitment system, which can be accessed via the job vacancies website: www.uwe.ac.uk/jobs. Please quote reference number 1623922 in any communications.

UWE is an equal opportunities employer.