This post is part-time, 1 day (7 hours) per week and fixed term for 11 months from starting date. The salary stated above is the pro-rata amount, the full time salary would be £40,518 - £45,899 Per Annum (Incl. LWA) .
The post can be carried out on a flexible basis – for example, the 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 the inclusion of nonhuman animals and nature is one of the most pressing challenges for democracy. In the face of phenomena such as extreme weather, human-caused biodiversity loss and inhumane farming practices, it becomes evident that democracies need to develop new and innovative practices that allow us to listen to nature and include nonhuman interests in democratic decision-making.
This project will document how participatory democratic innovations attempt to include nonhuman animals and nature in their processes, as part of a new collection on Participedia, a crowd-sourced database of democratic innovations.
The postholder needs to possess sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline (or equivalent practical experience) and of research methods and techniques to work within one or more of the following areas: democratic innovations, participatory and deliberative democracy, animal ethics, environmental politics or sociology.
The position is based at the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster and will be jointly managed by the three research leads.
To apply for this vacancy please click above. Further information can be found in the job description and person specification, which can be accessed through link below.
At the University of Westminster, diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity are at the core of how we engage with students, colleagues, applicants, visitors and all our stakeholders.
We are fully committed to enabling a supportive and safe learning and working environment which is equitable, diverse and inclusive, is based on mutual respect and trust, and in which harassment and discrimination are neither tolerated nor acceptable.
The University has adopted Smart Working principles to support and further our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims of being an inclusive, collaborative and flexible employer. Further details of Smart Working can be discussed at interview stage.
Closing date: midnight on 28 August 2025
Interviews are likely to be held on: 10 September 2025
Administrative contact (for queries only): [email protected]
