Thematic Champions: call for expressions of interest

Are you an engaged, collaborative academic, with an interest in issues beyond your discipline, and a willingness to help forge the next stage of the Eastern Arc initiative?

We’re seeking people who can lead our thematic priorities and draw together people from across our consortium.

In February we launched our five year strategy. Based on a mapping of the strengths across the universities of East Anglia, Essex and Kent, it has at its heart four themes:

• Health systems, social care and wellbeing
• Human rights, equality and conflict
• Sustainability, natural resources and food
• Culture, connection and creativity.

We are now seeking 12 thematic champions to develop a focus, a critical mass and a supportive network within each of these areas. Ideally, there will be one champion in each theme at each of the Eastern Arc universities. We are looking for colleagues with a strong interest in discovering the work of others, in making connections and in building collaborative links across the Arc.

In difficult times it’s a real opportunity to work with colleagues beyond your faculty and university, and to develop a positive, creative and potentially very productive collaboration.

Further information

We have prepared a brief outline (pdf) of our expectations for the role, and the support we can give. If you are interested and want to find out more, do get in touch with our Director, Phil Ward.

Submitting an expression of interest

The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 29 June 2020. To be considered, please submit a two page CV with a brief covering letter stating which of the themes you’re interested in, why you are interested in the role, and what you can bring to it.

Applications will be assessed by a panel of associate (or deputy) deans for research from across the three universities, and we hope to let you know the outcome as soon as possible after the deadline.