Program Overview: UAL AKO Storytelling Research Fellowship
- Opportunity Type: Paid Research Fellowship / Part-Time Academic Position
- Organizer: UAL AKO Storytelling Institute, in partnership with Comic Relief’s Power of Pop Fund
- Study Level: Postdoctoral / Experienced Researcher
- Eligible Nationalities: International applicants may apply subject to UK employment eligibility
- Age Limit: No specific age limit stated
- Education Requirement: PhD or equivalent research expertise gained through academic, independent, or professional practice
- Work Experience: Experience conducting research relevant to storytelling, popular culture, and social or environmental change
- Research Focus: How popular culture influences public attitudes and contributes to social or environmental change
- Nomination Required: No
- University Admission: Not required; this is a paid fellowship/employment opportunity, not a degree programme
- Funding: £19,425 total salary for the 9-month, 0.4 FTE fellowship, subject to standard UK deductions
- Application Fee: £0
- Location: Hybrid — UAL High Holborn, London and home working
- Duration: 9 months
- Working Pattern: Part-time, approximately 0.4 FTE / two days per week
- Deadline: 11 September 2026 at 11:55 PM UK time
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is aimed at experienced researchers interested in examining the relationship between popular culture, storytelling, and social or environmental change.
Potential applicants may have research or professional backgrounds involving:
- Film and television
- Music
- Podcasts
- Games
- Digital media
- Popular culture
- Social impact
- Environmental communication
- Audience research
- Creative industries
Applicants should demonstrate research expertise through a PhD or equivalent experience gained through academic, independent, or professional practice.
Can International Applicants Apply?
The opportunity does not specify a nationality restriction
However, because the fellowship is a UK employment contract, international applicants should ensure that they have the appropriate right to work in the UK or otherwise meet the applicable UK employment/immigration requirements.
Work authorisation: UK employment eligibility required
What Will Fellows Research?
The fellowship explores how popular culture and storytelling can influence public attitudes and contribute to social or environmental change.
Relevant forms of popular culture include:
- Film
- Television
- Music
- Podcasts
- Games
- Digital media
The research is intended to generate insights that can be relevant to creative practitioners, broadcasters, funders, civil society organizations, and other social-impact stakeholders.
What Does the Fellowship Pay?
The successful fellow receives a total salary of approximately £19,425 for the nine-month appointment.
This is based on:
- 0.4 FTE
- Approximately two working days per week
- Pro-rata full-time salary of £48,563 per year
The salary is subject to normal UK tax and other applicable deductions.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
Selected fellows receive:
- Paid research employment
- Mentorship from the UAL AKO Storytelling Institute
- Skills and research-development workshops
- Collaboration with other fellows
- Exposure to creative practitioners
- Opportunities to connect research with social-impact organisations
- Engagement with broadcasters, funders and civil society
- Opportunity to present research findings at a final public symposium
Work Location & Format
The fellowship follows a hybrid working model.
The fellow will work between:
UAL High Holborn, London + home
Therefore, applicants should consider the practical implications of participating in a London-based role, particularly if applying from outside the UK.
Applicants should submit their application through the official UAL recruitment portal before the deadline.
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