Thank you for your interest in this role. The British Academy is the national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We are a charity that champions our disciplines, which include philosophy, languages, economics, geography, literature, and anthropology. The Academy is a major funding body; we conduct a wide range of policy work, and we engage the public in humanities and social sciences. We are guided by our elected Fellowship – a group of over 1,700 leading thinkers and scholars such as Professor Mary Beard and Professor Simon Schama.
We are a complex organisation, and we are looking for someone who can help us tell our story and increase our impact. We have a range of audiences and stakeholders including leaders across the media, civil society, business and policy, the wider higher education and funding ecosystem, and a broad public audience.
For the right person this role is a fantastic opportunity – there are very few communications roles with this breadth. The British Academy is a dynamic and exciting organisation with a range of communications activities and campaigns including:
- External affairs work with Ministers, parliamentarians, officials and other stakeholders helping to connect British Academy expertise and policy insight to those who could benefit from them, including an annual parliamentary reception.
- Ongoing media and campaigns work to showcase the outcomes of humanities and social sciences research, and the work of the Academy.
- A major public events programme held in our building in central London bringing insights from humanities and social sciences to a wider audience. Our recent seasons themes have included ‘The Age of Mistrust?’ and ‘Folklore Reimagined’.
- The British Academy Book Prize which celebrates the best works of non-fiction, based on exceptional humanities or social science research and written for the general reader.
- A programme of academic conferences and lectures held around the UK.
- Publishing scholarly research
- Our annual Summer Showcase – a 3-day festival showcasing humanities and social sciences research through exhibits, talks and workshops for the public.
The Academy’s strategic plan outlines three strategic priorities for the period till 2027: strengthening and championing the humanities and social sciences; mobilising our disciplines for the benefit of everyone; and opening up the Academy. All of these have a core communications component. We have made significant headway in these areas, but there is much more to do and we would look to the new Director to help take our influence and impact to the next level. We will have a particular opportunity to do this during 2027 which will be our 125th anniversary.
The Academy is operating in a context where higher education and research are under considerable financial pressure. There are important choices to be made about how we can exert our influence to improve the sustainability of the system. We already have good relationships with Ministers, officials, and other stakeholders, but wish to strengthen our influence in the coming periods. Strengthening our communications with Fellows and staff is a growing priority alongside our external positioning.
The Academy is a lovely collegiate organisation to work for. We have a good hybrid and flexible working culture (and would be open to this role being held as a job share) whilst being lucky enough to be based in a gorgeous Grade 1 listed building in central London. It is a privilege to work with Fellows who are the leading thinkers in their field. You would be part of a close-knit senior management team which works collaboratively to steward the organisation.
If you are attracted by this broad role and the opportunity to strengthen the impact of the humanities and social sciences we hope to hear from you!
Yours,
Hetan Shah
Chief Executive