Research Associate - Parental Inclusion Research (Catching the Mumentum)

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 July 2026

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join the Open Societal Challenges project Catching the Mumentum: Supporting Diverse Parenthoods for Work Inclusion.

This exciting project, developed in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the Open University’s Mumentum campaign, aims to improve workplace inclusion for parents through research-informed resources, policy engagement, and knowledge exchange.

The Research Associate will play a key role in tracking and evidencing the project’s impact, supporting stakeholder engagement, and helping to deliver high-profile outputs, including toolkits for parents and managers, a policy brief, public webinars, dissemination events, and a family-focused event. They will also help develop and promote opportunities for knowledge exchange, increasing the visibility and uptake of our research among employers, policymakers, and wider society.

This role is ideal for someone with strong organisational and project management skills, and a passion for research impact, diversity and inclusion, and stakeholder engagement.

Flexible working 

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it is compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.  

Salary:

The salary quoted above is based on a 37 hour week (full-time hours). This post is 7.4 hours so the actual salary will be paid at the pro-rata amount.

Key Responsibilities

• Impact Tracking & Evidence Gathering: Monitor and document evidence of project impact, including stakeholder feedback, policy or practice changes, and reach of outputs.
• Policy Engagement: Support the drafting of policy briefs and responses to consultations to ensure research findings inform relevant policy discussions and decisions.
• Research Organisation & Administration: Manage and organise research materials and outputs, maintain stakeholder records, and ensure resources are up to date and accessible.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communications: Draft clear and impactful messages and updates for stakeholders, aligned to the project’s diversity and inclusion aims.
• National Working Group Development: Support the establishment and coordination of a national working group to advance best practice in supporting diverse parenthoods.
• Event Coordination: Help plan and deliver knowledge exchange activities, including webinars, workshops, dissemination events, and a family-focused event.
• Research Support: Conduct data gathering, scoping work and other impact related research tasks as required.

Skills and Experience

Essential Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant area or above.
• Understanding of motherhood penalty and associated challenges of work inclusion for parents.
• Understanding of research impact and its role in shaping policy and practice.
• Research and analytical skills, with the ability to conduct literature reviews and data gathering tasks.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with experience producing clear, accessible materials for stakeholders, including policy or practitioner audiences.
• Strong organisational skills, including managing contacts and coordinating logistics.
• Commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience contributing to policy engagement activities, such as drafting policy briefs or responding to consultations.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders including public, private, or voluntary sector organisations.
• Experience of collecting evidence for developing impact case study.
• Experience in organising events or workshops.
• Experience of using social media for professional purpose.

To apply for this role please submit the following as one document via the 'Apply' button above;

• CV 
• A personal statement of up to 1000 words. You should set out in your statement why you are interested in the role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job description.

Please Note: We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.