Research Associate: Libraries & Criminal Justice Policy

Dunhillmedical; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave and flexibility

Pension scheme

Hybrid working

Development opportunities

Staff discounts

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is inviting a Research Associate to contribute to a Knowledge Exchange project on prison and public library services. The role involves evidence-mapping, stakeholder workshops, and drafting outputs for practitioners and policy audiences.

You will work on an applied policy-facing research environment, combining library science, education, and criminal justice, while balancing other study or work commitments. The role is 20% WTE (7 hours per week) for 8 months.

Qualifications

• PhD in library studies, education, criminology or a related field.
• First degree in a relevant subject area.
• Understanding of, or demonstrable interest in, library and information services and/or criminal justice contexts.
• Experience of undertaking evidence synthesis, literature reviews or similar scoping activities.
• Ability to synthesise evidence and communicate key findings and implications for practice.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to communicate research findings clearly and appropriately for different audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage professionally and sensitively with a range of stakeholders, including people with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines within a part-time role.
• Knowledge of the prison, probation or wider criminal justice system, or of library services supporting people affected by incarceration.
• Desirable: Experience of working with non-academic partners or contributing to knowledge exchange activities.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to an evidence-mapping exercise examining how prison and public libraries, working independently and collaboratively, support people and families affected by the criminal justice system.
• Help plan and deliver workshops for criminal justice practitioners and prison and public library staff.
• Develop and coordinate simple evaluation tools, such as pre-and post-workshop questions.
• Contribute to drafting accessible, audience-specific resources for practitioners and library users.
• Contribute to dissemination activities, including planning and delivery of a project dissemination event.
• Liaise with a range of project stakeholders and partners, supporting effective communication, engagement and coordination throughout the project.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Skills

Evidence synthesis

Literature reviews

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Education

PhD in librarianship or related

First degree in relevant subject

Job description

The University of Sheffield is inviting a Research Associate to contribute to a Knowledge Exchange project on prison and public library services. The role involves evidence-mapping, stakeholder workshops, and drafting outputs for practitioners and policy audiences.

You will work on an applied policy-facing research environment, combining library science, education, and criminal justice, while balancing other study or work commitments. The role is 20% WTE (7 hours per week) for 8 months.