Research Consortium Co‑ordinator - Volunteer

Hive Mind Speaks is building a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary research consortium exploring the intersection of civic art, participatory democracy and legislative change. This is a unique opportunity to shape how academic and policy-oriented research supports a national civic movement.

This role will play a crucial part in helping us turn public participation into credible influence on national policy. By coordinating our growing research consortium, the volunteer will ensure that each of our projects is backed by rigorous evidence, interdisciplinary insight and long-term strategy. Their work will strengthen our ability to demonstrate the civic impact of our campaigns to funders, decision-makers and the public.

They will also help shape a pioneering model that blends artistic intervention, participatory democracy and policy change, supporting research that could inform national discussions on how we reimagine democracy in the UK. Their contribution will help ensure that our work doesn’t just make headlines it helps change laws.

We are looking for people with the following strengths:

• Project / Programme Management:
  Coordinate timelines, meetings and milestones across multi‑institution research partners;
  Track actions, ensure momentum and report progress to the core team.
• Research (Qualitative / Quantitative):
  Support the synthesis of academic and civic research on arts‑led policy change;
  Map historical and contemporary precedents in participatory democracy and creative civic interventions.
• Database / CRM Development:
  Create and maintain a centralised tracker of research contacts, documents and outputs;
  Implement a lightweight system to manage data, partner comms and workflow.

The role also offers the opportunity for initiative and self‑direction, with room to shape the process, bring your own perspective and take genuine ownership of this strand of our mission if this is an avenue you hoped to pursue in your own career.

Hybrid

You will help steer an ambitious research arc covering:

• Historical analysis of art as a catalyst for legislative change
• Barriers and enablers to participatory democracy adoption in the UK
• Behavioural design moving citizens from awareness (via art) into engagement and action
• Measuring the long‑term civic and policy impact of Hive Mind Speaks’ model
• Supporting future strategy with credible, embedded evidence

• Act as main point of contact between consortium partners (currently includes University of Edinburgh, University of Strathclyde, University of Glasgow, the Scottish Policy & Research Exchange, and civic tech partner Crown Shy)
• Schedule meetings, track progress and follow up on action points.
• Support the design of an interdisciplinary research roadmap.
• Coordinate funding research and bid timelines for academic research grants.
• Help synthesise and present key research strands to inform programme strategy.
• Optional: draw on your own research interests to contribute ideas and insight.