Research Fellow: Tackling Loneliness Through Co-production in the West of England Region

The role

This part time, open ended with fixed funding three year role will involve leading on the co-production of an innovative, robust, people centred evaluation to understand the process, impact and sustainable legacies of the Impact Alliance. The Impact Alliance is a pioneering West of England collaboration formed in response to escalating social challenges, specifically loneliness and social isolation. Involving over 50 organisations, working across sectors, the Alliance aims to transform how regional partners can work together to address complex social issues through collective action, social innovation and sustainable funding. 

What will you be doing?

The post holder will work alongside the Impact Alliance, including it’s  ‘Understanding Impact’ sub-group, six ‘enabling organisations,’ and programme delivery ‘change maker’ partners to co-produce an evaluation framework over the first three years of the programme. Four local areas (Stockwood, Somer Valley, Charfield and Mendip Villages) and two communities of interest (global majority elders and disabled young people) have been selected as pilot communities with whom the Impact Alliance will work in the first three years of the programme.  

You should apply if

Apply if you have substantial experience in leading co-produced evaluation research (preferably concerning loneliness and social connection) and/or working with place-based and community focussed approaches to evaluation with diverse communities. We expect expertise in evaluation and confidence with mixed methods approaches. You should be able to evidence excellent co-authored publications in peer reviewed locations. The post holder should be a collaborative researcher with experience in working across sectors to ensure that insights/findings are translated into action. 

Additional information

For informal queries about the role, please contact: Prof Helen Manchester email: Helen.manchester@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Open Ended with Fixed Funding until 30/09/28

Work pattern: 0.68% time / 0.68fte / 24 hours per week

Grade: K

Salary: £50,253 - £58,225 per annum pro rata

School/Unit: School of Education

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Tuesday 14th October 2025

Interviews are anticipated to be held on Thursday 30th October 2025 

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values. 

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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