The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

This position is to work alongside Professor Kate Dommett at the University of Sheffield and Dr Amy Orben at University of Cambridge on a new UKRI Taskforce on social media data access for researchers.

As part of a newly created Taskforce seeking to advance researcher access to social media data in the UK, this fellowship offers the opportunity to work with leading experts to produce an evidence-base and tangible recommendations designed to improve social media data access in the immediate and long-term.

Social media data – data generated through user interactions with digital social platforms – holds immense potential for research and innovation. However, researchers face significant barriers, including inconsistent data availability, limited data scope, and a lack of standardized access mechanisms, as well as complex issues of ethics and public trust. These challenges hinder investigations into critical societal issues and suggest the need for greater data access.

Working as part of a new academic taskforce, the successful applicant will work to advance four objectives:

1. Evaluate and compare different models for accessing and analysing social platforms data, including data donation, web scraping, APIs, and others.
2. Actively contribute to policy efforts to secure greater access to social media data
3. Analyse international approaches to social platforms data access, identify best practices, and draw lessons for the UK context.
4. Establish a constructive dialogue with social platforms, researchers and policymakers companies to foster collaboration and understanding around data access for research.

To achieve these objectives, the fellow will work with taskforce members to:

• Develop recommendations for best practices and guidelines for responsible data collection and analysis
• Engage stakeholders, researchers and experts in data access
• Produce policy briefs and whitepapers outlining the Taskforce's position on key policy issues
• Produce case studies and reports showcasing findings

This post therefore provides an exciting overview to research and directly inform efforts to advance social media access in the UK.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews of academics and non-academic outputs pertaining to data access, specifically on social media
• Where required, conduct interviews with key stakeholders
• Lead and contribute to policy notes, case studies and reports
• Work with research assistant based at University of Cambridge to coordinate taskforce activity
• Work in collaboration with the PI and taskforce team to develop activities, meetings and events
• Administer research in an efficient and timely manner
• Attend taskforce meetings and liaise with UKRI and external stakeholders
•  Work to proactively build a network of others working on issues of data access in the UK and internationally
• Make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole. Further information on the underpinning values of the Sheffield Academic can be found at: Sheffield Academic.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Have completed a PhD in a relevant subject area, or be able to demonstrate equivalent expertise (Application)
• Knowledge of data access debates, particularly pertaining to social media data (Application and Interview)
• Experience of and skills in undertaking qualitative research and analysis, including interviews and literature reviews of academic and non-academic literature (Application)
• Interest in policy development (Application)
• Experience of developing recommendations designed to achieve change (Application and Interview)
• Ability to work with external stakeholders (Interview)
• Ability to work independently in delivering research goals (Application)
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, for academic and non-academic audiences (Application and Interview)
• Ability to collaborate in writing research reports, lead on and contribute to published project outputs: e.g. journal articles (Application)
• Proven ability to work to deadlines and possess good organisational skills (Interview)

Desirable criteria

• A proven ability to adapt skills to new circumstances and acquire new skills of relevance to the post (Interview)

Further Information

Grade: 8

Salary: £48,149 - £57,422 per annum

Work arrangement: Full-time

Duration: Fixed Term for 1 year

Line manager: Professor Kate Dommett

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/social-sciences

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Professor Kate Dommett on k.dommett@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

IIt is anticipated that the selection process will take place in mid-end of June. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact scsoperations@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.