The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, engages the public with fresh thinking and debates, and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy.

The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing, Development, Policy, Research, and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team. We have increased staffing in the last 12 months and expect to continue to grow this year.

Working at the Academy

Our senior management team has worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning and development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity and inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success as we move forward and continue to grow. Find out more about the British Academy, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.

We are seeking a Senior Policy Adviser to join our growing and high-performing Policy Team focused on higher education policy.

The role

The Senior Policy Adviser is a key role in our Higher Education and Research Policy Team, a collaborative, productive and high-performing part of the Academy’s Policy Directorate, alongside the Public Policy Team and the Global Strategy, Policy and Engagement Team. We work to position the Academy as a thought leader on higher education and research policy, engaging in evidence-based policy to influence the health and vibrancy of our disciplines in higher education and the wider RD&I ecosystem. This ranges from reactive work responding to developments in the sector to more proactive planned projects, designed to strengthen our evidence base, support the SHAPE discipline community and stimulate debate.

The Senior Policy Adviser will act as the team expert on areas of higher education, research and innovation policy work with internal and external stakeholders. The Senior Policy Adviser will lead on research and innovation programmes which offer insight into current and future critical policy issues. Current work includes assessments on the economic value of R&D and the role of R&D, innovation and technology as part of economic strategy, alongside a range of reactive engagement. Key responsibilities will include connecting our evidence base to wider implications for research policy, including long-term research funding and investment in the innovation system.

With line management responsibility for a Policy Adviser, the Senior Policy Adviser will need to take a proactive and collaborative approach in developing and implementing creative ideas and concepts in policy research and evaluation. Joining an enthusiastic, close team of policy experts, the postholder is expected to work with the wider Policy Teams and across the Academy to help tailor our higher education and research policy work to the strategic objectives of the organisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and analysis

• Research, evaluate and interpret complex policy issues using, or seeking appropriate expertise to use, quantitative and qualitative methods and a variety of data sources, and propose new areas of research and advise on suitable methods and approaches.
• Maintain expertise in certain topics relating to higher education and research policy, and monitor and review external developments, propose responses and identify opportunities for policy and programme development.

Producing policy outputs and outcomes

• Oversee the development, design and delivery of key programme(s) of work within the Higher Education and Research policy workplan. Take strategic responsibility for related projects, outputs, activities and communications and oversee contractors and/or members of staff involved in the work.
• Balance a range of projects and activities, including organising events, preparing briefings, consultation responses, statements, speeches, programmes and promotional copy, undertaking background research as necessary.
• Manage the publication, launch and dissemination of relevant outputs and work with Academy colleagues to ensure relevant and timely communication of the Academy’s higher education and research policy positions.

Stakeholder engagement

• Identify and pursue opportunities for engagement with external organisations and stakeholders, forging new relationships and maximising established ones, in pursuit of the Academy’s strategic objectives and in relation to specific policy objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with academic experts within and outside the Academy Fellowship to ensure effective use of the expertise necessary for the delivery of activities. This includes building networks within the Fellowship, particularly through facilitating relevant committees and working groups.
• Ensure the Academy is well-represented at appropriate meetings and events, either by presenting the Academy’s views and positions on R&D and innovation issues or by briefing the Head of Policy (Higher Education and Research), the Director of Policy, the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team, relevant Academy Officers, and Council and Committees as appropriate.

Strategy and planning

• Motivate manage and collaborate with a Policy Adviser to deliver outputs which have policy impact. Work within the team management group to develop the Policy Advisor by seeking appropriate development opportunities.
• Proactively identify new opportunities for the Higher Education and Research Policy team, which align with the Directorate and Academy strategic aims, and take forward – with endorsement from the Director and team Heads – the planning and implementation of new programmes of work.
• Recognise and develop potential synergies between the higher education and research policy programme and the Academy’s other policy activities.
• Work with other UK National Academies on specific projects and initiatives, supporting and leading as necessary, to ensure a joined-up approach.