Researchers Required for EVOC 150 Project
Overview
Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) is looking for up to four researchers in the fields of, but not limited to: heritage, civic action, democracy, social history, inequality, poverty, social science, archives, and employability.
Researchers are required to support us to deliver the EVOC 150 project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, telling the story of EVOC’s first 150 years of campaigning for social justice in Edinburgh. We want to interrogate the various archives held in multiple locations across the city, such as libraries, museums etc.
EVOC 150 – Project Summary
EVOC started its journey as the Edinburgh Association for the Improvement of the Conditions of the Poor in 1868. As we turn 150 this year, we want to tell the story of EVOC, how and why it formed, how we got to where we are today, and how our history can inform our future as an organisation.
EVOC has been at the forefront of supporting civic action and promoting social justice in the City, from alleviating the impact of mass un-employment in the 1930s, fighting for tenants’ rights in the 1980s, to challenging the public sector to engage in serious collaborative work in the 2000s.
EVOC is an integral part of Edinburgh’s social fabric and history. By partnering with organisations that use inclusive approaches to capture shared heritage, we are delivering an exciting programme of collaborative research, events, presentations and publications recognising the power of participation – reaching hundreds of organisations and thousands of people, using themes of ‘organising’, ‘tackling inequality’, ‘protest and campaigning’ and ‘working together’.
As Scotland celebrates the Year of Young People we want to engage the next generation of policy-makers, campaigners and social entrepreneurs who will shape the next 150 years of civic action.
Hours of Work and Term
Hours and duration of work to be agreed. This is a fixed-term opportunity available immediately through until Spring 2019.
Fee
To be agreed. It is anticipated that researchers will be appointed on a freelance/self-employed basis.
Location
It is anticipated that this role will be completed remotely. The project office base will be EVOC, 14 Ashley Place, Edinburgh. The base location has full disabled access.
Accountability
Researchers will be supervised by the EVOC 150 Programme Manager.
Area of Work
• Within area of expertise, investigate history of Edinburgh’s voluntary sector heritage.
• Complete research as contribution for a book, publications, exhibitions, communications etc.
• Coordinate volunteers to support the research in ways that enhance their employability, for example, to foster skills in analytical thinking, or to learn methods of interpreting, assimilating and communicating complex information.
Researchers must have experience of:
– communicating with and presenting information to non-expert audiences
– working with various stakeholders
– appropriate research and data collection methods
– working independently
– working to deadlines
– best practice for accessibility
This role is likely to appeal to and be most suitable for current PhD students and early career researchers, or those with previous experience of researching at this level.
Application process
Please submit your CV with a covering letter including reference(s) to relevant similar work. Applications should be sent to lucy.ridley@evoc.org.uk, Programme Manager – EVOC 150.
Closing date: 5pm on Monday 20th August.
