Research Fellow, Inclusive Art for Wicked Problems

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in participatory/action research? Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research intensive Universities?

We are pleased to offer this opportunity for a participatory researcher to join the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.

The research project, Inclusive Art for Wicked Problems, is funded by UKRI via a Future Leader Fellowship and will be delivered in collaboration with inclusive arts organisation Pyramid. The study begins on the 2nd of September 2024 and will last for 48 months. It will use an arts-based systemic action research methodology to mobilise the expertise and creativity of learning disabled and neurodiverse artists across the challenges of the social care system. This includes a methodological work package to generate new ways of working that bridges inclusive arts practice and systemic action research, an international collaboration between the UK team and a researcher and art museum professionals in Brazil, and a locally embedded systemic action research project led by Pyramid artists across the Leeds City Region tackling the urgencies and issues with affect them.

The post-holder will work under the supervision of Dr Jade French. They will be engaged in a variety of activities including developing the methodology, reviewing literature and policy, facilitating a strand of systemic action research, organising stakeholder engagement, communications, and reporting in a variety of ways.

While most of the work will be located in Leeds across the university campus and Pyramid’s studio (Holbeck, Leeds), the post will involve travel across the Leeds City Region and occasional travel to Brazil. There is scope for some hybrid working. There will be opportunities to develop skills and knowledge including internal and external training.

As part of the interview process there will be a presentation and interview questions will be shared in advance.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr. Jade French, Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Arts Practice & Museum Studies and Futures Leaders Fellow

Email: