Research Fellow in Communities & Education - Newcastle upon Tyne in Willington

We are seeking a highly motivated research associate to join our team, to support the delivery of a project funded by the Leverhulme Trust titled 'The Horror of Place-based Harms'. The project explores extra-familial harms — harms that young people experience outside the family home in peer groups, neighbourhoods and community settings — and how the places where these harms occur can be better understood and made safer. It will draw on transdisciplinary approaches to do this, seeking inspiration from horror and the Gothic.

The post-holder will take a leading role in the design and delivery of participatory workshops with young people, applying creative research methodologies within a collaborative and supportive team, and conduct interviews with professionals and community members. They will join a collaborative interdisciplinary team comprising academics from Social Geography, Childhood Studies, English Literature and Arts and Design, alongside a doctoral researcher, supported by an advisory board of practitioners and creative professionals.

The post-holder will be required to work both autonomously and as part of the broader team, contributing to research delivery and dissemination, including writing for publication. Excellent communication and organisational skills are essential.

This role is fixed term for 36 months and will start on 1st October 2026. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore the successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Applicants should hold a PhD and have demonstrable specialist expert knowledge in a relevant discipline such as Youth Work, Social Work, Geography, Sociology, Education and Anthropology.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Tom Disney. To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.

We welcome applications from the UK and across the world.

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