Demos is a highly respected cross-party think tank with a unique approach to making policy to solve our long term problems. Building on nearly 30 years of creativity, ideas and impact, Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think tank. We put people at the heart of policy-making to create bold ideas and a more collaborative democracy.
Demos’ dedicated digital research hub (CASM) is a centre of excellence in digital policy. Our work focuses on the promotion of “trustworthy technology” that is developed, deployed, used, governed and maintained so as to serve and respect diverse needs and values.
About the role
We are looking for a brilliant Researcher with demonstrable experience in tech policy to join our digital policy team. You will be passionate about social change, enthusiastic about Demos’ digital policy mission, able to manage multiple projects, and keen to be part of a collaborative and dynamic team. We are looking for people with an interest in research and policy and ideally some practical experience of research design and delivery. This experience could come from a variety of experiences – even if you haven’t worked in a think tank before, we would still be interested in hearing from you. A positive, can-do attitude and enthusiasm for learning about different topical policy areas is also essential.
The digital policy team works to articulate and advocate for an internet and digital technologies that protect and promote democracy. Our vision is a future in which people are placed at the heart of digital policy to ensure technology is built with and for people, not something done to them. We have unique insights and expertise across tech policy and its impact on our society, economy and democracy.
Our recent work has included research and policy looking at the impacts of AI on Democracy, building public compute infrastructure for the UK, and the importance of open-source for driving the AI revolution. We’ve also produced influential works on maintaining healthy information ecosystems investigating drivers of divisive discourse online, the social and digital factors perpetuating conspiracy theories, and the future of online safety in the uk.
The role will suit someone interested to:
- Carry out high-quality research (e.g. literature reviews, surveys, focus groups etc.) and develop policy ideas that can influence policy makers in Whitehall, Westminster and beyond.
- Collaborate with partners to amplify our research findings and advocate for policy change.
- Writing reports, briefings and articles that communicate policy ideas clearly and to a wide audience.
- Be part of a welcoming, creative community of thinkers – both at Demos and among the many other organisations we work closely with.
Responsibilities
You’ll be involved in the delivery of research and design of research materials, using qualitative and quantitative methods to undertake original research to inform evidence-based policy recommendations. You will be looking for opportunities to develop your project management skills.
You’ll write high-quality research reports, blogs, and other outputs for a range of audiences, and work with our External Affairs team to communicate our research findings clearly, compellingly and creatively.
You’ll help develop Demos’ networks with different stakeholder groups, including policymakers, industry, academic, media and civil society. You will be keen to identify fundraising opportunities and support writing proposals.
You’ll work with Demos’s Digital Policy Team, working on a range of projects primarily related to Demos’s “trustworthy technology pillar” though projects will often span a number of Demos’s core pillars. These are:
- Citizen Economy – that helps people to participate in our economy and spreads prosperity throughout our communities
- Public Service Reform – that empower communities, encourage prevention and improve outcomes
- Trustworthy Technology – for which technological progress aligns with the needs and values of citizens
- Collaborative Democracy – that enables participation by citizens and improves the policy making process
About you
The types of experience and skills we are looking for include the below. We welcome a range of applications which include a subset of these attributes.
Desired Experience
- Demonstrable professional experience in a research and/or public policy role and setting
- Conducting primary research, including research design (discussion guides, surveys etc.) and moderation
- Conducting secondary research, including literature reviews and evidence reviews
- Playing a critical role in project delivery and providing project management support
- Supporting fundraising efforts, including drafting grant applications and/or project proposals
- Building networks and collaborating with external partners
- We are especially interested in hearing from people with experience conducting research in digital policy areas including but not limited to:
- Healthy information ecosystems / epistemic security
- Online safety
- Public service digitisation / AI in public services
- AI openness / open-source policy
- Digital inclusion
- Digital rights
- Societal impacts of emerging technologies / Systemic AI Safety
Desired Skills & Interests
- Enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude and ability to juggle priorities in a dynamic workplace
- Keen to learn and take up opportunities for professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of research design, methods and ethics
- Ability to use, analyse and interpret qualitative data
- Ability to design and analyse quantitative research surveys and data tables
- Familiarity with computational methods for social media/ web forum analysis
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills: comfortable writing for a range of audiences, presenting complex information in easy-to-understand and engaging formats
- An interest in how policymaking works, and how change happens, including an interest in building relationships with influential figures and key decision-makers in tech policy
- Demonstrable interest and passion for public policy making and social change, at the community, local, national or international level, and interest in the future of technology and the political questions it raises.
Terms and Conditions
- Salary: £30,285 – £33,530 per year (depending on experience)
- Permanent, Full-time
- Location: Whitehall, Greater London (Hybrid)
- Hours: 37.5 hours per week
- Holidays: 30 days plus statutory holidays
- Pension: 6%
Demos is committed to equality and valuing diversity within our organisation. We recognise, celebrate and promote the positive contributions that are made by diverse groups: engaging with and promoting the voices of people whose voices may not otherwise be heard is core to our work and we believe that this should be reflected in our team. We strongly encourage applications from people from minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities, or others with lived experience of disadvantage. We have flexible working policies, and would be happy to discuss flexible working requirements with any candidates.
How to apply
Applications are to be submitted at https://app.beapplied.com/apply/qmuodnzsmy
Applications close August 18, 23:50 BST (UK)
We use BeApplied to facilitate an anonymous initial review process to minimise bias in our screening process.
You will be asked to provide a CV and to answer four screening questions (up to 250 words each) highlighting your interest and experience in tech policy, relevant skills, and your reasons for applying to work with the Demos digital policy team.
Selection Process
We will conduct interviews either in person at our office, or via Zoom, w/c 26th August 2024 followed by second interviews the following week.
We will also ask candidates selected for interview to provide at that stage a non-academic writing sample (e.g. policy brief, blog post, or policy report style writing) that evidences your familiarity with a tech policy topic (e.g. online safety, AI governance, digital rights, etc.) and your ability to communicate an idea clearly to an audience.
Please do get in touch if you have any accessibility needs or adjustments during the recruitment process.
Questions?
If you have any further questions or aren’t sure if the role is right for you, please feel free to reach out to us by emailing [email protected] and we would be happy to answer any queries.
We look forward to hearing from you!