Research Associate (Arts-Informed Research - Theatre)

Diversity Dashboard; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Hybrid working

Generous pension

Staff networks

Career development

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a researcher to co-lead the theatre side of the Arts Stream, working with disabled theatre collaborators to co-create accessible, arts-informed research processes. You will contribute to data collection, analysis and dissemination across theatre venues, while upholding ethics and research integrity.

As part of a collaborative team, you will coordinate with the PI and co-investigators, manage timelines, and engage with audiences and stakeholders to bring a

Qualifications

• Doctorate or equivalent experience in a relevant social sciences or arts subject or creative field.
• Experience in research by practice in the creative industries and aligning creative direction with research questions.
• Experience with arts-based research methods.
• Experience working with or within disabled-led organisations.
• Experience bringing a creative project to fruition.
• Experience of building relationships with audiences and other stakeholders for public-facing creative work.
• Knowledge of ethical research processes, data management, and related practices.
• Experience of documenting creative work for future use and as academic research.
• Experience of working well in a team and delivering assigned responsibilities.
• Strong experience of academic writing for publication and collaboration on writing with others.

Responsibilities

• Co-leading the theatre side of the Arts Stream with senior researchers and collaborators.
• Collaborating with disabled theatre collaborators on accessible, inclusive research processes.
• Co-developing theatre-based data collection, analysis and public engagement approaches.
• Documenting theatre processes and supporting researchers.
• Managing project timelines and using organisational tools for co-management.
• Supporting dissemination and public engagement across theatre venues.
• Managing ethical approvals and data management day-to-day.
• Participating in collaborative analyses and co-authoring across the team.

Skills

Doctorate or equivalent experience

Arts-based research

Experience with disabled-led orgs

Academic writing for publication

Public engagement & audiences

Teamwork & collaboration

Data ethics & governance

Education

Doctorate (PhD) in relevant field

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

• Cripping Breath is a collaboration between the University of Sheffield, The Art House, Wakefield, Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance, CRIPtic Arts, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Dr Louise Atkinson and Jamie Hale.

• The project centres arts-informed, archival, narrative and ethnographic approaches to research, and will develop Crip perspectives - forms of knowledge production that emerge from lived experiences of disability and chronic illness.

• The Arts Stream is a project work package that has two parts: (i) a contemporary arts side and a (ii) theatre side. Each side has its own Artist in Residence, arts organisation partner, Research Associate and Collaborators - disabled people working with us as theatre makers and/or artists.

• Specifically you will co-lead the theatre side of the Arts Stream, working alongside Jamie Hale, Artist in Residence, our three Theatre Collaborators and partner CRIPtic Arts to co-produce a theatre production that explores ventilation, breathing, life and death.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Co-leading the theatre side of a specific arts-informed work package (the Arts Stream') with the PI, Artists-in-Residence, Co-researcher Cooperative, co-investigators and community research partner organisations and artistic collaborators.
• Working closely with Jamie Hale (Artist-in-Residence) and disabled Theatre Collaborators living with experiences of chronic respiratory illness to co-create an accessible and inclusive arts-informed research process.
• Collaborating with and contributing to the work of the Artist-in-Residence with their theatre-based approaches to data collection and analysis and public engagement. This will include travel, as workshops and the production are based in London.
• Documenting, recording, and planning theatre processes and supporting the Artist-in-Residence.
• Managing any associated project timelines and deadlines, with a willingness to learn and use organisational technologies for co-managing the project.
• Supporting, co-developing and co-producing research dissemination and public engagement across theatre venues.
• Managing ethical approval processes, data collection and ensuring relevant research data is stored in an appropriate and legal manner on a day-to-day basis.
• Participation in collaborative analyses and academic co-authoring across the wider research team.
• Liaising closely, regularly, and in a timely manner with the research team, and relevant professional services staff throughout the project.
• Undertaking mandatory online training required for members of The School of Education and specialist forms of training as and when the project requires.
• Upholding the highest standards of ethics and research integrity.
• Supporting the principal investigator and co-investigators at each stage of the project as needed.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

• A doctorate (or equivalent experience) in a relevant social sciences or arts subject or creative field - Essential - Application
• Experience in research by practice in the creative industries and aligning creative direction with research questions - Essential - Application
• Experience with arts-based research methods - Essential - Application
• Experience working with or within disabled-led organisations - Essential - Application
• Experience bringing a creative project to fruition - Essential - Application
• Experience of building relationships with audiences and other stakeholders for public-facing creative work - Essential - Application
• Knowledge and understanding of ethical research processes, practices and procedures, including data management - Essential - Interview
• Experience of documenting creative work for future use, e.g. by people involved, and as academic research - Essential - Interview
• Experience of working well as part of a team and taking responsibility for delivering the responsibilities of a specific role - Essential - Interview
• Strong experience of academic writing for publication and experience of collaborating on any form of writing with others - Essential - Application
• Experience of presenting information in a range of formats to meet the needs of different target audiences (e.g. report, blogs, journal articles, policy briefs, guidance documents and recommendations) - Desirable - Application
• Clear understanding of accessible practices in the theatre industry and experience and applying these - Desirable - Interview

Further Information

• Grade: 7
• Salary: £38,784 - £47,389 per annum
• Work arrangement: 0.5 FTE
• Duration: Start date 1/11/26 End date 31/12/2028
• Line manager: Principal Investigator
• Direct reports: None
• Right to work in the UK: If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
• Our website: https://sheffield.ac.uk/education
• For informal enquiries about this job contact Kirsty Liddiard, Senior Research Fellow and Principal Investigator: on [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place during the week commencing the 5th October. This will consist of an online interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 28th September. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Kirsty on [e-mail].

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

A standard DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window). Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date :25/09/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.