Postdoctoral Research Associate (Empathy, Narrative and Cultural Values)

This AHRC funded, part time (0.6FTE) post is available from 01 November 2025 until 30 November 2026.

The post

An exciting opportunity to work on the AHRC-funded Empathy, Narrative and Cultural Values project with Professor Amina Yaqin at the University of Exeter and Professor Peter Morey at the University of Birmingham. This project explores how explanatory frameworks and beliefs affect how South Asian Muslims in the West Midlands perceive and categorise narratives in education and health settings. Focusing on data collection from selected settings our analysis focuses on recurring and commonly-used words and phrases locating those aspects of narrative that are most successful in encouraging empathy to consider how identification with narrative elements is influenced by faith and culture-specific aspects of underpinning values. Our findings will develop humanities led effective, culturally sensitive modes of communication in the key areas of health and education, thereby addressing inequalities and enhancing professional practice and outcomes in the future.

The post will include:

• Transcription and coding using NVivo software
• Data analysis
• Editing and publication experience
• Working as part of a team with the University of Birmingham PI and PDRA
• Liaising with non-HE partners
• Organisation of dissemination events and conferences
• Writing up research for publication as reports and journal articles
• Co-developing new models and methods in the form of education and health toolkits
• Coordinating impact related activities with stakeholders
• Collecting impact evidence
• Social media and publicity design and delivery
• Regular reporting to the project Co-I and PI with progress updates
• Promoting equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• To engage in continuous professional development and to be responsible for continually updating knowledge and understanding in field of study, or specialism and for developing skills
• On site availability and ability to travel between sites

About you

You will:

• possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes
• be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies
• be able to complete data analysis using Nvivo, complete transcriptions where needed, write up research for publication as reports and journal articles, organise dissemination events and conferences; co-develop new models and methods in the form of education and health toolkits, coordinate impact related activities with stakeholders, collect impact evidence, lead social media and publicity design and delivery, promote equality and value diversity, act as a role model and foster an inclusive working culture, engage in continuous professional development and be continually responsible for continually updating knowledge and understanding in field of study, or specialism and for developing skills, work as part of a team with the University of Birmingham PI and PDRA, liaise with non-HEI partners

Please ensure you read the Job Description for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• Sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave 

Further information

Please contact Professor Amina Yaqin a.yaqin@exeter.ac.uk

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