Director - Chair for the Institute for Community Research and Development

The University of Wolverhampton is seeking to appoint to a new Chair (Director) of the highly successful Institute for Community Research and Development (ICRD).

Launched in 2017, ICRD has been working to improve the lives and life chances of people in the region through research driven policy development, promoting social mobility, and by delivering effective community-based transformational projects. ICRD use interdisciplinary expertise to affect positive change by working collaboratively with local communities and partnership networks.

The Institute for Community Research and Development (ICRD) undertakes research across four key themes, which are: Social and Community Wellbeing; Criminal Justice and Violence Prevention; Tackling Inequalities through Heritage and the Arts; and Migration and Mobilities.

ICRD offers innovative research and evaluation methods, and services, such as:

• The ICRD model of Community and Peer Research
• Research and evaluation that supports developments in policy and practice
• Robust qualitative and quantitative research methods

The University has a long and distinguished history of providing applied research that drives policy developments, of delivering effective community-based transformational projects and of promoting social mobility. It has a unique and unrivalled reputation for working collaboratively with public and private sector agencies to provide social regeneration platforms and for using its partnership networks to champion for change.

ICRD is a thriving, collegiate, and financially stable research institute, which employs a team of research-only staff, has a thriving community of research students, and members from across the university and a number of honorary fellows and professors. The Chair position offers an exciting opportunity for an exceptional research leader to develop and grow ICRD with a talented team and strong reputation for the institute both within and external to the university.

To be successful in this role, you will hold a PhD, or equivalent and have significant senior-level experience, as well as be a recognised international authority in a discipline relevant to ICRD's themes. This will be supported by a demonstrable and impactful portfolio of research publications and societal impact. You will also demonstrate a proven track record of leadership, and mentorship, with the ability to build and manage a high-performing research team. To be considered for this post you will currently be a Reader or Professor or equivalent level with considerable experience of research in the community, aligned to one or more of ICRD’s core a very strong research profile in one or more of the following academic disciplines: social policy, sociology, public policy, public sector reform, social welfare, community health and wellbeing, applied psychology, mental health, criminal justice.

You will be skilled in working to effect change in policy and practice at the most senior levels. You will have a proven track record in securing significant external funding, leading interdisciplinary teams, leading and delivering research projects, and strong flexible teamwork skills. You will have the skills and experience to identify opportunities for, to develop, and to lead, short course and CPD programmes for community partners. You will also be able to demonstrate excellent collaboration with partners from research, practice, third sector and lay communities. You will be committed to the continued development of the ICRD, and to ensuring ICRD’s activities achieve maximum impact.

There will be opportunities to contribute to postgraduate supervision and teaching.

Professor Laura Caulfield welcomes informal conversations about the role. Please email L.Caulfield@wlv.ac.uk

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