Research Fellow in Regional Futures

University College London (UCL) is one of the world's top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos – that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society –continues today.

The UCL Department of Geography is a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research across a broad range of research themes.

The postholder will be part of a research team led by Prof. Ayona Datta (PI), for a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant - funded project, “Regional Futures: The territorial politics of digitalization-as-urbanisation in the global south”. In UCL Geography, the postholder will be part of the Global Urbanisms research cluster. With interdisciplinary expertise across urban geography and critical data studies in the global south, the post holder will work closely with team members to contribute to research on regional futures in the global south along three thematic foci: digitalising state, information infrastructures and territorial politics. Team members are located in Mumbai, Nairobi and Guadalajara, and the post-holder will be expected to travel to these sites when necessary. Fluency in speaking and reading Spanish, Kiswahili, Hindi or Marathi is an advantage.

See the project website for further details: www.regionalfutures.org

Applicants must hold a PhD in Human Geography, Urban Studies, Planning, Critical GIS, Critical Data Studies, Science and Technology Studies (or cognate fields).

Prior experience should include working with planning databases and spatial mapping platforms; using qualitative research methods (for eg. in-depth interviews, archival/document searches, ethnography, discourse analysis) and research experience in urban contexts in the global south (especially in India, Kenya and/or Mexico).

It is desirable (although not essential) that you have knowledge and experience of working with government stakeholders, and/or doing research on governance at national or local levels.

The Department of Geography is committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion and we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and networks for BME, LGBTQ, and disabled/neurodiverse staff and students. The Department recognises the importance of family-friendly working and we try, as far as possible, to organise meetings and events with staff responsibilities as parents and carers in mind. In 2016, the Department was awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze award and recently gained the Silver award (October 2022) in recognition of our advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success. Above all the Department aims to be a supportive environment for both its staff and students. We especially welcome applications from candidates from under-represented backgrounds, and from candidates using a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches. 

More information about the role, how to apply and what to expect from the recruitment process can be found in the full job description.

Funding is available at Grade 7, spine point 29. The appointment will be from 1^st April 2023 (or at an agreed date after), full-time and is funded until 31^st December 2025.

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