Research Fellow

The Shakespeare Arcade is the first large-scale investigation into how videogames, arguably the most popular media form today, can be used to support the study of Shakespeare, one of the most widely taught authors worldwide. One-third of the world's population plays video games, and the global gaming industry is more than three times the size of the film and music industries combined. The Shakespeare Arcade investigates how the popularity and creative ingenuity of video games can be used to engage new audiences, and especially young people, in the artistic richness and ethical complexity of Shakespeare's texts. With English literature A-level enrolments currently falling, UK students are at risk of missing out on crucial skills in critical thinking, cultural literacy, and multimodal analysis that the discipline builds. The Shakespeare Arcade demonstrates how videogames can energize the study of Shakespeare and English literature, not only through their popular appeal but also their intelligent and even visionary engagements with Shakespeare's texts.

The Research Fellow will lead on developing video and multimedia assets for the open-access platform at the heart of the project, as well as contributing to project publications, conferences, and co-creation with teachers. Creating video material from gameplay will form a significant part of the Research Fellow's work.

Main Duties:

- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding
- Analyse and interpret data
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
- Collect research data through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
- Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Foster a fair and equitable workplace for all staff
- Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures

Person Specification:

- Expertise in ludonarrative design and its effects
- Knowledge of gaming industry
- Expertise in video essay creation, particularly video game walkthroughs
- Familiarity with popular gaming platforms, consoles, and forums
- A PhD relevant to the research area (or near completion), or equivalent PhD level qualifications
- High level analytical capability
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- Ability to contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
- Ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010, including fostering good relations and advancing the university's Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)

UK and international travel may be required for this role.

Informal enquiries to Erin Sullivan, email: [email protected]