Research Associate

University of Westminster; London; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in London seeks a part-time researcher for a project on nonhuman representation and participation in democracy. The role involves documenting democratic innovations and requires knowledge in areas such as animal ethics and environmental politics. The position allows for flexible and hybrid working arrangements, promoting inclusion and diversity.

Qualifications

• Sufficient specialist knowledge or practical experience in democratic innovations, participatory and deliberative democracy, animal ethics, environmental politics, or sociology.

Responsibilities

• Undertake research for the project on nonhuman representation and participation.
• Document participatory democratic innovations including nonhuman interests.

Job description

This post is part-time, 1 day (7 hours) per week, and fixed term for 11 months from the starting date. The salary stated above is the pro-rata amount; the full-time salary would be £40,518 - £45,899 per annum (including LWA).

The post can be carried out on a flexible basis – for example, hours can be concentrated into blocks with agreement from the line manager, and hybrid working is acceptable.

The postholder will undertake research for the project ‘Mapping emerging practices of nonhuman representation and participation’, led by Dr Lucy Parry (Universities of Canberra/Edinburgh), Dr Hans Asenbaum (University of Canberra), and Professor Graham Smith (University of Westminster). Within the field of participatory democracy and democratic innovation, there is growing recognition that including nonhuman animals and nature is a pressing challenge for democracy. In light of phenomena such as extreme weather, biodiversity loss caused by humans, and inhumane farming practices, democracies need to develop new practices that include nonhuman interests in decision-making.

This project will document how participatory democratic innovations attempt to include nonhuman animals and nature, contributing to a new collection on Participedia, a crowd-sourced database of democratic innovations.

The postholder should possess sufficient specialist knowledge or practical experience in areas such as democratic innovations, participatory and deliberative democracy, animal ethics, environmental politics, or sociology.

The position is based at the Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster, and will be jointly managed by the three research leads.

To apply, please click above. Further information is available in the job description and person specification accessible via the link below.

At the University of Westminster, diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity are core values. We are committed to providing a supportive, safe, and inclusive environment based on mutual respect and trust, where harassment and discrimination are not tolerated.

The University has adopted Smart Working principles to support our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion goals, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible work environment. Further details can be discussed at interview.

Closing date: midnight on 28 August 2025

Interviews are likely to be held on: 10 September 2025

Administrative contact (for queries only): [e-mail]