The Post

The Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) will support the delivery of a number of change projects delivered across the UK known as ‘Facilitator’ projects. They will be part of the UK Centre for implementing evidence in adult social care - Improving Adult Social Care Together (IMPACT) working closely with Professor Karen Watchman and Dr Kathryn Mackay, co-leads (job share) of the Facilitator delivery model. UK Facilitator projects take a ‘bottom-up’ approach to supporting the implementation of knowledge of social care. This new Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) role will work alongside Delivery Leads to provide remote support to local projects. They will regularly liaise with IMPACT staff responsible for gathering local evidence and evaluation, embedding of project outcomes and with the central IMPACT team located at the University of Birmingham.

IMPACT has been funded by the ESRC and the Health Foundation to improve social care outcomes by implementing evidence-based practice in the sector across all four UK nations. You will be joining IMPACT during its implementation phase and will join a diverse and creative staff group within Scotland and across the UK. IMPACT draws on knowledge gained from different types of research, the lived experience of people using services and their carers, and the practice knowledge of social care staff. Its aims are to enable practical improvements on the ground, and make a crucial contribution to longer-term cultural change, by:

Supporting more widespread use of evidence in adult social care, leading to better care practices, systems and outcomes for people who use services, their families and communities
Building capacity and skills in the adult social care workforce to work with evidence of different kinds to innovate, improve care and deliver better outcomes
Facilitating sustainable and productive relationships between the full range of adult social care stakeholders to co-create positive change/innovations and improve outcomes for people using adult social care and their families
Improving understanding of the factors which help and hinder the implementation of evidence in practice, and using this to overcome longstanding barriers to positive change

IMPACT is led from the University of Birmingham with multiple partners across the UK. Stirling is the lead Scottish Higher Education partner. The role is located in Stirling alongside Facilitator UK Delivery Leads Professor Karen Watchman and Dr Kathryn Mackay. The role holder will report to Professor Karen Watchman.

Information about the Facilitator, and other, IMPACT models can be found at https://impact.bham.ac.uk/our-projects/facilitators/ Each project runs for 12 months until December 2027

Informal enquiries should be made to Professor Karen Watchman, karen.watchman@stir.ac.uk

TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE

Please complete the on-line application form and submit:

A covering letter indicating how you meet the criteria for the role and
An up to date CV

Description of Duties

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of Facilitator projects and will work on cross-cutting issues with other IMPACT project officers and national leads for evaluation and embedding.

Lead or contribute to IMPACT evidence reviews in relation to policy/practice issues specific to adult social care. As an example, current and recent Facilitator topics can be viewed at https://impact.bham.ac.uk/our-projects/facilitators/
Monitor new research and evidence-based publications in adult social care on a regular basis and establish ways to routinely update Facilitators and their host organisations
Support evaluation colleagues with collation of accurate and timely evaluation and monitoring for Facilitator projects across the UK in line with IMPACT protocols
Support and monitor contact with external stakeholders across Facilitator projects
Attend fortnightly Facilitator team meetings (online)
Meet regularly with remotely based Facilitators to ensure two-way exchange of information and learning
Review and monitor co-production work across IMPACT Facilitator projects and liaise remotely with the IMPACT co-production group as required
Work with Depute Head of Embedding to support Facilitators in dissemination and scaling up of Facilitator projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Produce ongoing and end of project web briefings for a range of audiences following IMPACT templates
Support the ongoing development of communication updates for web, social media and networking
Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
Support the work of other IMPACT Project Officers with such activities as may be required from time to time
Prepare and deliver Facilitator-related presentations and lead meetings with external stakeholders as required
Represent IMPACT externally and deputise for the Delivery Leads when needed
Any other duties commensurate with grade of post

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

PhD in a relevant discipline (or extensive research and knowledge exchange experience to a demonstrated equivalent level)

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Demonstrable interest and/or expertise in applied research in adult social care
Awareness of the current research evidence base in one or more fields relevant to adult social care
High level of analytical capability
Experience of knowledge exchange and impact work, and of taking research findings into real world application
Commitment to engaging with lived experience and practice knowledge in adult social care, and to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
An understand of, and commitment to co-production in adult social care
Experience of working with a range of stakeholders with ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and skills in co-ordinating own work with that of others to ensure effective team-working
Ability to contribute to the management and administration of IMPACT
Excellent planning, organisational and time-management skills

Desirable Criteria

A relevant professional qualification and/or experience in adult social care
Experience of working with social care leaders, commissioners, providers and/or front-line staff
Experience of conducting research which influences policy, practice and people’s lives
Experience of research which engages people with lived experience and/or carers
Knowledge of the policy and practice contexts in different parts of the UK

Additional Information

Full time
Fixed term up to 27 months

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 21 August 2025.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this role may be eligible depending on candidate circumstances and is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

Faculty of Social Sciences

The Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) will be based in the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), University of Stirling which is an integrated multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional support staff with research and teaching interests in sociology, social policy, criminology, education, housing studies, social work and dementia. Working collaboratively with students, staff and stakeholders, the Faculty provide high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as professional development in all these areas through our interdisciplinary links across the University and beyond. We have a sustained successful research record and in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 80% of our research was assessed as internationally excellent or world leading, with the top 23% of our work judged as world leading across two units of assessment, Education, and Social Work and Social Policy.

In addition to teaching, social scientific research is undertaken in the Faculty under the following headings: Crime and Justice; Child Well-being and Protection; Curriculum and Pedagogy; Dementia and Social Gerontology; Education Theory/Practice; Public Services and Governance; and Social Surveys and Social Statistics; and Substance Use.

Full information about the Faculty can be found here: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties/social-sciences/

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk

Job Reference: FAC02054

1 Jobs in Stirling, SCT, United Kingdom (UK)

Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator)

University of Stirling