The Post
Communications, Media & Culture (CMC) wishes to appoint a suitably qualified candidate at Lecturer Grade 7/8 (Teaching and Research) with specialist interests in digital media and analytics to enhance and expand the Division’s teaching, international partnerships, research, and knowledge exchange activities, including public engagement and short-course opportunities, as well as to provide strategic direction in this area.
The successful candidate will have an established profile as a lecturer and researcher in digital media and analytics. They will join our award-winning Digital Media team and play a crucial role in contributing to the delivery of innovative, research-based and industry-relevant education to our students, enhancing internationalisation, managing our home and international partnership programmes, and expanding our strategic research partnerships with external stakeholders across digital media and creative industries.
The candidate will primarily contribute to teaching social media and analytics on our undergraduate degree in Digital Media and MSc in Digital Media and Communications, including on our transnational education programmes with the Singapore Institute of Management (Singapore) and Chengdu University (China). In addition, they will contribute to digital media teaching across the CMC undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio. They will be an excellent communicator who is able to effectively teach, motivate and mentor postgraduate and undergraduate students. Post holders may be required to travel abroad as part of their duties.
An established research profile will be evidenced by an emerging track record of published research, peer reviewed scholarly activity, and a record of pursuing and attracting research funding. The appointee will have a strong understanding of various forms of digital media, social media, analytics, big data and data science, the processes behind these and in relation to complex social issues (e.g. social justice, environmental sustainability, creative economy, smart cities, human rights, health and wellbeing, creative futures). The appointed candidate will contribute to the cutting-edge research in emerging digital media fields produced by colleagues in the Digital Media research team, resulting in REF outputs, impact and environment narratives. They will engage effectively with internal departments within the University and external stakeholders to pursue opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, impact and income generation and enhancing CMC’s regional, national, and international profile.
Applicants with specialist knowledge, skills or interests in the following areas are invited to apply:
- Social media and social media analytics
- Data science and analytics
- Data visualisation
- Quantitative research and quantitative research methods
- Web analytics
- Digital storytelling
- Digital audiences, cultures and creative media industries
- Future directions in digital media analytics and AI
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Alenka Jelen, Head of the Division of Communications, Media and Culture: alenka.jelen@stir.ac.uk
Description of Duties
Grade 7
- Engage in individual and collaborative research, which aligns to the strategic direction of the University, establish a distinctive programme of research and disseminate results through regular publication in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings
- Identify appropriate sources of funding, prepare research proposals for funding bodies and manage grants awarded
- Supervise and mentor research students and staff as required, providing direction, support and guidance
- Design, teach and assess a range of teaching and learning, supervision and assessment activities across BA (Hons) Digital Media and MSc Digital Media and Communications, but also across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including online programmes where required
- Participate in the Faculty’s local and international engagement activities as required, e.g. delivering teaching and CPD courses, contributing to joint programmes and recruitment of students. This is likely to require occasional periods of international travel
- Participate in, and develop, networks and collaborations both internally and externally to the Division/Faculty/University
- Participate in the administrative processes of the Division/Faculty/University, including programme and module leadership, managing international partnerships, committee membership, quality assurance procedures and recruitment and admission of students
- Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post
Grade 8
- Engage in individual and collaborative research, which aligns to the strategic direction of the University, establish a distinctive programme of research and disseminate results through regular publication in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings
- Identify appropriate sources of funding, prepare research proposals for funding bodies and manage grants awarded
- Supervise research students and staff as required, providing direction, support and guidance
- Design, teach and assess a range of teaching and learning, supervision and assessment activities across BA (Hons) Digital Media and MSc Digital Media and
Communications, but also across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including online programmes where required - Contribute to curriculum review and enhancement, in a manner that supports a research-led and practice-based approach to student learning and enhances student experience and employability
- Participate in the Faculty’s international engagement activities as required e.g delivering teaching, contributing to joint programmes and recruitment of students
- Participate in, and develop, networks and collaborations both internally and externally to the Division/Faculty/University
- Participate in the administrative processes of the Division/Faculty/University including committee membership, quality assurance procedures and recruitment and admission of students
- Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post
Essential Criteria
Grade 7
Qualifications
- PhD in relevant discipline (digital media, media and communication studies or
similar) or close to successful completion
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Evidence of a developing publication record in digital media, analytics and/or digital creative and media cultures
- Credible plans for the active pursuit of external research funding
- Experience or knowledge to design, teach and assess modules in the subject area
- Evidence of the ability to deliver excellent teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level
- A commitment to diversity and inclusivity within teaching and research, and
an understanding of the needs of a diverse student cohorts
Grade 8
Qualifications
- PhD in relevant discipline (digital media, media and communication studies or
similar)
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Established track record of high quality published research in digital media, analytics and/or digital creative and media cultures
- A record of involvement in applications for external funding for research and/or knowledge transfer
- Experience of supervising dissertation projects across the range of undergraduate/ postgraduate and of supervising doctoral students
- Experience of providing high quality teaching across a range of programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level preferably including online/digital programmes
- Experience of designing and delivering course modules
- Evidence of successful co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/or mentoring of others
- A commitment to diversity and inclusivity within teaching and research, and
an understanding of the needs of a diverse student cohorts
Desirable Criteria
Grade 7
Qualifications
- Higher Education teaching qualification or equivalent e.g. PGCert and/or holding or working towards Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA)
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Evidence of success in attracting research grants/external funding and delivering on externally funded research projects
- Experience of supervising dissertations and research projects
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as key contributions to high quality student learning
- Evidence or knowledge to support international activities
- Evidence of a basic knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. This might include - but is not limited to - evidence of work to advance gender equality, positive mental health, disability equality, anti-racism or tackling gender-based violence
Grade 8
Qualifications
- Higher Education teaching qualification or equivalent e.g. PGCert and/or holding an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and be working towards Fellowship
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Evidence of collaborative research with other institutions and interdisciplinary work
- Demonstrates a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning
- Evidence of programme innovation and development
- Evidence or knowledge to support international activities
- Evidence or knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. This might include - but is not limited to - evidence of work to advance gender equality, positive mental health, disability equality, anti-racism or tackling gender-based violence
Additional Information
Full time
Open ended
Grade 7: £37,999 - £45,163 p.a. or
Grade 8: £46,485 - £55,295 p.a.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 20 March 2025.
Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 03 April 2025.
Expected start date is Thursday 01 May 2025 or by mutual agreement.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role may be eligible depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 2311.
The University has implemented the pay uplift for 2024/25 as confirmed by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA). This is being implemented in two stages - the first stage was effective from the 1 August 2024 and is reflected in the advertised salary, the second stage is effective from 1 March 2025 therefore salaries will increase in accordance with agreed rates.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
Within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, our students have the desire to explore, to innovate and to create. One of the largest Faculties in the University, our subject areas are renowned for international and world leading research. Our work is well represented in national and international journals, at academic conferences around the world and in the media. We offer students a broad range of subjects to study in an exciting, research-led and highly interdisciplinary environment. Our teaching is regarded as innovative and the levels of student satisfaction are consistently high. A vibrant intellectual community is constantly enriched and renewed by the contribution of visiting scholars and practitioners. The Faculty encompasses four multidisciplinary divisions: Communications, Media and Culture; History, Heritage and Politics; Literature and Languages; and Law and Philosophy.
The Division
The Division of Communications, Media and Culture (CMC) at Stirling is an internationally renowned centre for research and teaching and consistently draws high ratings for its teaching across digital media, film and media, journalism and public relations. In the recent Research Excellence Framework assessment, we were ranked second in Scotland. Our students frequently win awards at major national and international competitions and many go on to become successful practitioners, entrepreneurs and executives in the media, creative and communications industries globally.
CMC research expertise spans the humanities, social sciences and management. We have long been recognised for our research in screen studies, creative industries, media and cultural policy and in recent years our research has increasingly focused on digital media and communications, storytelling, technologies and complex social issues. Our expansion strategy has seen the arrival of a group of talented new colleagues with diverse interests, including investigative journalism and analytics, the creative economy, design, animation, games and interactive media, music, digital publishing and media policy and regulation. The Division now offers a wide choice of options in taught postgraduate and undergraduate programmes, and in doctoral research, spanning digital media, film, media and sport, journalism, creative industries, cultural policy and political and promotional communications.
CMC is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to being an inclusive workplace. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from different backgrounds. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has 18,500+ students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented on our scenic central Scotland campus. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and top five in the world (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk
Job Reference: FAC02015
