Research Opportunity
PhD Funded Studentship with University of St Andrews:
Evaluative Assessment of Local Authority

DCA is working in partnership with Dundee City Council on a research project aimed at supporting effective evaluation of the cultural and creative activity in the city.

Applications are now open for this research project addressing how ‘hard’ quantitative data and performance indicators may be allied with a philosophical narrative that successfully captures all elements of an impact evaluation.

The studentship will be based with a Scottish local authority which seeks to measure the impact of its social investments in the areas of cultural and leisure participation. This is a full-time Collaborative studentship with the University of St Andrews’ Institute for Capitalising on Creativity (ICC) and funded by the Economic & Social Research Council. The studies will begin October 2011. Applications must be submitted by August 30 and interviews are likely to be held September 14-16.

The project is likely to include development of robust performance measures that are meaningful to those providing the service as well to service funders. Thus in addition to the impact evaluation which constitutes a large part of the substantive element of the work, the project also will investigate the broader question of the ways in which organizations can account for their activities, and the strategies that are available for them to develop and articulate this accounting.

The research will likely involve :

- Gathering qualitative data regarding what the organizations do and what they perceive as working

- comparing data and theories from similar organizations and situations

- engaging with a variety of stakeholders

- applying appropriate theoretical perspectives from related fields

- sourcing and critiquing relevant literature

- Interpreting research results for both non-specialist and specialist audiences (academic and cultural sectors)

- Designing forms of accountability that satisfy the various stakeholders

Collaborative studentships involve close work with sponsoring organisations, in order to provide industry-relevant research and enhance social science research in the Creative Industries generally. Project supervision is provided by ICC academics and workplace mentors. Fees and maintenance are provided by the ESRC over 3 years, leading to a PhD awarded by University of St Andrews.

The successful candidate will have a Masters degree plus a first degree in management, creative industries, cultural studies or other relevant area. Applicants must be UK nationals or EU nationals who have resided in the UK throughout the preceding 3 years.

For details, please email Mindy Grewar, Executive Administrator, Institute for Capitalising on Creativity, coca@st-andrews.ac.uk, or ring 44 (0)1334 462808.