Research Associate in Digging into Digital Footprints Data

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate (RA) to join an interdisciplinary team (crossing Sociology and Computer Science) as part of a one-year Accelerator project for UKRI Smart Data Research UK (https://www.sdruk.ukri.org). The Digging into Digital Footprints project aims to create an open framework to help researchers better understand and use ‘digital footprints data’ in social research. The RA will be responsible for carrying out qualitative research into how forms of digital data (e.g. web archives, social media, and emerging forms of ‘synthetic data’) are collected and created in several empirical cases, and critically, their implications for social research. The RA will collaborate with project colleagues in the development and analysis of ‘data journeys’ and an open framework for working with new sources of social data, including data generated through AI-enabled tools/models. The role will include responsibilities organising hands-on workshops with academics and non-academic partners and developing academic outputs (presentations, publication). 

The RA will be based in Sociology at the University of Bristol and benefit from a dynamic and supportive research environment for the digital social sciences, being part of the Bristol Digital Futures Institute and the ESRC Centre for Sociodigital Futures at UoB, as well as working directly with another RA and project collaborators at the Web Science Institute (University of Southampton). 

What will you be doing?

• Carrying out qualitative research with participants on the opportunities and challenges of working with new forms of digital data in the social sciences.
• Collaborating in the development of ‘data journeys’ on the life cycle (collection, creation, use) of new forms of social data.
• Collaborating in the creation of an open, empirical framework for describing, re-using and working with digital footprints data in the social sciences, including AI-enabled tools and data.
• Co-organising workshops with researchers working with these data.
• Collaborating in the analysis and dissemination of qualitative data captured as part of the above activities.

The successful applicant will be supported in developing experience in interdisciplinary research and establishing a strong research profile including: opportunities for research publication/dissemination, access to senior researchers and connected networks, and strong links to BDFI, CenSoF and WSI. 

You should apply if

• A PhD (or nearing completion) in a relevant field (e.g. Sociology, Science and Technology Studies).
• Good knowledge of digital social science.
• Strong qualitative research skills (interviews, ethnographic approaches).
• Knowledge and/or experience working with digital data/methods in the social sciences, ideally including working knowledge of AI-driven tools and data.
• Emerging track record in academic publication, including conference presentations.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary research across the Social and Computational Sciences and working with non-academic partners.
• Experience or interest in facilitating workshops and events.

Additional information

For informal queries about the role please contact either:

• Jessica Ogden (PI/Line Manager) - jessica.ogden@bristol.ac.uk
• William Campbell (BDFI Senior Research Administrator) - william.campbell@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Open ended with Fixed Funding until 04/01/2027

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