Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy
About the Faculty
Application has passed - page retained for reference only
About King's
King’s College London offers an intellectually stimulating environment, where staff are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and learning in the service of society. We are a multi-faculty institution, providing high-quality research, education and innovation across the social sciences, humanities, medicine, law, dentistry, and sciences. As a member of the Russell Group, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards in research and education. King’s College London is amongst the top 35 universities in the world and top 10 in Europe (THE World University Rankings 2023) and is one of England’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Based in the heart of London, King’s has over 45,000 students (including more than 19,000 postgraduates) from some 150 countries, and over 10,000 employees. King’s vision is to make the world a better place through world-leading education, research and service to society. King’s provides world-class education which enables students to become rounded critical thinkers, set up for success and with the character and wisdom to strive for social change. Through enquiry-driven research, King's delivers transformative insights and solutions that have the power to advance and accelerate global progress. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 exercise, King’s maintained its 6th position for ‘research power’ in the UK, 6th by Quality Index, and was ranked 3rd amongst multi-Faculty universities for impact.
Appointment details
Reports to: Professor Clare Herrick
Salary
Competitive
Terms
There are two elements to this appointment: • The substantive appointment is an ongoing academic contract, a permanent member of the academic staff of King’s College London. It is expected, but not a requirement, that the appointee will meet the criteria for an appointment at professorial level • The role of Head of Department (60%) will be for a fixed period of four years (renewable)
Vacancy ID
068248
The Role
The Department is seeking to appoint an energetic and visionary new Head of Department to lead for a period of 4 years, with the option to renew at the agreement of both parties. The successful candidate will be an internationally distinguished Professor in International Development with a strategy to position the Department as a leading place of excellence for research and critical scholarship , as well as an exciting place for students to develop in an interdisciplinary environment. The successful candidate will have a PhD, substantial experience in all aspects of academic life and work, an outstanding track record in research, teaching, publications, academic leadership and other forms of scholarship, and demonstrable commitment to collegiality, diversity, equity and inclusion. The successful candidate will provide strategic academic leadership and foster research and educational excellence. The postholder will dedicate 60% of their time to leading the Department of International Development and also undertake teaching and research . The role is supported by an academic departmental leadership team, and efficient professional services support provided by the School Office and the School of Global Affairs Senior Leadership Team. We welcome applicants from the full spectrum of expertise in the social sciences applied to development. Candidates must demonstrate how their teaching, research and administrative experience engages constructively with critical approaches to development and the building of fairer more prosperous societies and economies . You will have substantial research, grant-making and teaching experience, experience of supervising doctoral research students, and a strong dedication to collegiality and to mentoring junior colleagues. You will have a successful track record of grant capture and will have a demonstrated commitment to engagement with policy-makers, practitioners, and publics beyond academia. Candidates should have an outstanding research profile in an area of development studies. Research areas might include, but are not limited to, development in emerging economies, poverty reduction, wellbeing and reducing inequality, decolonisation, social/racial justice, climate/sustainability, sustainable development, health inequalities, global urbanisation. We particularly welcome candidates who have developed an international network and reputation, gained research funding, and can evidence impact. A proven record of inspiring, managing and supporting research teams is essential, together with talent for developing capacity. Experience or familiarity with the academic environment in the UK is an advantage, and previous experience of a senior leadership or management role is desirable.
At King’s, we are deeply committed to equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity and inclusion in all our activities so that the university is an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work and study, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. King’s offers inclusive benefits to staff including flexible working, Enhanced Parental Leave, funds for Parents and Carers and the potential to join community staff networks. The Department of International Development is committed to the provision of equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity for all our students, staff and visitors. We hold Bronze Athena SWAN Certification and King’s was awarded a Race Equality Charter Bronze Mark in 2020. Our policies align with the College’s equalities policies, including efforts to build an anti-racist university as outlined in the King’s Race Equality Action Plan 2020-2024. We work to ensure that applicants from under-represented backgrounds and those with protected characteristics feel confident applying to work in our Department.
Key responsibilities:
• To take a significant leadership role within the Department, initially as Head of Department, and to contribute to academic leadership within the School of Global Affairs. • To lead, undertake and publish high-quality research, developing a portfolio of individual/joint research projects with high quality outputs and impact in line with Departmental, School and College research strategies and research profile. • To take an active role in securing major external grant funding for research activities, for example from the ESRC or ERC. • To contribute to the ongoing development and design of new and existing teaching programmes in the Department and the College. • To participate fully in assessment and examination processes as appropriate using a variety of methods and techniques and provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning, and to assist students with difficulties. • To undertake the supervision of postgraduate research, at Masters and PhD levels. • To promote the aims of the next generation of academics by mentoring early career researchers and junior staff as required. • To carry out major external roles (e.g., within a professional association on advisory boards, within a research council, etc). • To engage in external academic activities in accordance with the Department, School and Faculty’s research strategy, and which will enhance its national/international research profile. • To continue to implement, but also develop, DID’s Action Plan and Strategic Plan to improve the Department as a place to work and study while securing performance objectives commensurate with a high ambition pathway of impact and influence. • To contribute to performance and development review processes as appropriate in accordance with the College’s strategy. • To engage in professional development as appropriate to update skills, and to support teaching excellence. • To demonstrate impact produced from own research, demonstrated by links with non-academic stakeholders and significant public engagement activity. • To undertake any other reasonable duties requested by the Head of School. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Essential criteria
• PhD in a social science or a related relevant discipline or interdisciplinary field applied to development and/or middle-income countries. • Evidence of established international research profile as evidenced by publications and social science scholarship of an international standard and successful grant capture, with demonstrable impact on the field. • Outstanding expertise in, and social science research, in any area relevant for development. • Proven experience of leadership roles at Department, Faculty or University level (e.g., Head of Department, Head of Education/Research, or other institution-level roles) and willingness to take on the Head of Department role. • Demonstrable experience teaching a wide spectrum of approaches to development from a gender- and race-aware, Global South-focused and decolonial perspective. • Demonstrable ability to design and deliver teaching effectively at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. • Demonstrable commitment to and/or experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and diverse research and teaching environment and collaboratively as a part of a team • Demonstrable understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and how these principles can be applied in a higher education setting. • Evidence of successful supervision through to completion of PhD students in an area relevant to development. • Excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain good working relationships . • A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and evidence of driving initiatives around those three areas in previous roles.
Desirable criteria
• Expertise in a relevant field in the social sciences applied to development in emerging economies. • Evidence of engagement with appropriate research, practitioner and policy communities. • Proven experience of impact leadership, demonstrated by links with non-academic stakeholders and significant public engagement activity. • Evidence of successful external grant applications from major research funders such as the ESRC, Wellcome Trust, European Commission or equivalent funders. • Portfolio of leadership roles in wider profession (e.g., editorship of journal, leadership within professional association, membership of advisory boards).
The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy
We live in a period of global, social, technological and economic transformations. In the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy (SSPP) we seek to understand these changes and to shape transformations through our research and education. We make our distinctive contributions through our connected and engaged research, backed by clear strategies to have impacts in the world and giving our staff and students the skills, judgement and confidence to embrace and shape change. SSPP is home to one of the largest, most diverse and international communities for social research and education in Europe. We have world-leading expertise across social science disciplines, with recognised strengths in health and care, security studies, political economy, global health, social risk and resilience, and education and social justice. Our global perspective draws on specialist expertise about important and dynamic regions of the world, including the European Union, China, India, Brazil, Russia and the Middle East. We believe our education and research can influence change by focusing on real-world problems, by combining perspectives, insights and methods from different bodies of knowledge, and by working with our partners in society. We have deep relationships with government, business, civil society and international organisations, using our position in central London to convene and influence understanding, innovation and practice in the UK and internationally. We share a commitment to engaged curiosity and action in an open, collaborative and inclusive culture. Our Faculty is organised as follows: • School of Education, Communication & Society • School of Global Affairs • The International School for Government • The Policy Institute • School of Politics & Economics • School of Security Studies
The School of Global Affairs
The School of Global Affairs at King’s is a vibrant hub of multi-disciplinary scholarship that seeks to address and resolve the most pressing issues facing our world today. By drawing together a unique cohort of scholars, our School covers expertise in global environmental governance, climate change, global health, cross-border migration, emerging economies and politics. We are comprised of: • Department of Geography • Department of International Development • Department of Global Health & Social Medicine • African Leadership Centre • King’s Brazil Institute • King’s India Institute • Lau China Institute • Menzies Australia Institute This means our research spans the historical to the predictive and crosscuts the physical and social sciences. It also enables us to deliver an exciting portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes, built directly on our innovative and internationally-renowned research. We offer our students the chance to acquire first-hand experience in conducting independent research, to immerse themselves in the living laboratory that is our central London location, and to engage with the wide array of education and social opportunities at King’s. Our scholars also work closely with colleagues across King's and beyond to bring significant regional expertise to bear on key contemporary challenges. By working on projects operating around the world and in collaboration with our local and international partners, we're able to enrich our global outlook and drive our research impact.
The Department of International Development
The Department of International Development at King’s is a young, innovative and contemporary Development Studies department. Our focus is on global patterns of wealth and inequality, with a core focus on middle income countries where substantial wealth sits alongside poverty and precarity, and where official development assistance is largely redundant. The mission of the department is to understand sources of success as well as major development challenges . We have cross and interdisciplinary teams in five varied research groups which share the objectives of improving wellbeing and future lives. The research groups are: • Power, Ecology and Climate • Inequalities, Solidarities and Social Policy • Global Capitalism and Development • Politics, Injustice, Creative Contestation • Global Production, Finance and Labour
Application has passed - page retained for reference only
Please quote the vacancy id: 068248 in all correspondence.
Closing date for applications: 29 August 2023 23:59
Interview date: 03 October 2023
Second interview date: 26 October 2023
Application process
To apply for this post you will need to register on the King’s College London job opportunities page and submit the application form, along with the following: • a concise statement setting out your reasons for applying for the post and highlighting the particular skills and experience which you feel you would bring to the role (two pages maximum) • a curriculum vitae Please ensure you quote reference number: 068248 Closing date for applications: Tuesday 29th August at 23.59hrs
Contact the team
For an informal discussion or to find out more about the role please contact the King’s Search Team.
Selection process
Applications will be shortlisted by a selection committee drawn from across the Department, School and Faculty, and wider College representatives. The interview panel will be chaired by the Executive Dean and will include the Head of School of Global Affairs and representatives from across the Faculty, wider College, and external input. Interview date(s): 3rd & 26th October
Jobs at King's
Find jobs at King's on our jobs search page
The Role
The Department is seeking to appoint an energetic and visionary new Head of Department to lead for a period of 4 years, with the option to renew at the agreement of both parties. The successful candidate will be an internationally distinguished Professor in International Development with a strategy to position the Department as a leading place of excellence for research and critical scholarship , as well as an exciting place for students to develop in an interdisciplinary environment. The successful candidate will have a PhD, substantial experience in all aspects of academic life and work, an outstanding track record in research, teaching, publications, academic leadership and other forms of scholarship, and demonstrable commitment to collegiality, diversity, equity and inclusion. The successful candidate will provide strategic academic leadership and foster research and educational excellence. The postholder will dedicate 60% of their time to leading the Department of International Development and also undertake teaching and research . The role is supported by an academic departmental leadership team, and efficient professional services support provided by the School Office and the School of Global Affairs Senior Leadership Team. We welcome applicants from the full spectrum of expertise in the social sciences applied to development. Candidates must demonstrate how their teaching, research and administrative experience engages constructively with critical approaches to development and the building of fairer more prosperous societies and economies . You will have substantial research, grant-making and teaching experience, experience of supervising doctoral research students, and a strong dedication to collegiality and to mentoring junior colleagues. You will have a successful track record of grant capture and will have a demonstrated commitment to engagement with policy-makers, practitioners, and publics beyond academia. Candidates should have an outstanding research profile in an area of development studies. Research areas might include, but are not limited to, development in emerging economies, poverty reduction, wellbeing and reducing inequality, decolonisation, social/racial justice, climate/sustainability, sustainable development, health inequalities, global urbanisation. We particularly welcome candidates who have developed an international network and reputation, gained research funding, and can evidence impact. A proven record of inspiring, managing and supporting research teams is essential, together with talent for developing capacity. Experience or familiarity with the academic environment in the UK is an advantage, and previous experience of a senior leadership or management role is desirable.
At King’s, we are deeply committed to equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity and inclusion in all our activities so that the university is an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work and study, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. King’s offers inclusive benefits to staff including flexible working, Enhanced Parental Leave, funds for Parents and Carers and the potential to join community staff networks. The Department of International Development is committed to the provision of equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity for all our students, staff and visitors. We hold Bronze Athena SWAN Certification and King’s was awarded a Race Equality Charter Bronze Mark in 2020. Our policies align with the College’s equalities policies, including efforts to build an anti-racist university as outlined in the King’s Race Equality Action Plan 2020-2024. We work to ensure that applicants from under-represented backgrounds and those with protected characteristics feel confident applying to work in our Department.
Key responsibilities:
• To take a significant leadership role within the Department, initially as Head of Department, and to contribute to academic leadership within the School of Global Affairs. • To lead, undertake and publish high-quality research, developing a portfolio of individual/joint research projects with high quality outputs and impact in line with Departmental, School and College research strategies and research profile. • To take an active role in securing major external grant funding for research activities, for example from the ESRC or ERC. • To contribute to the ongoing development and design of new and existing teaching programmes in the Department and the College. • To participate fully in assessment and examination processes as appropriate using a variety of methods and techniques and provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning, and to assist students with difficulties. • To undertake the supervision of postgraduate research, at Masters and PhD levels. • To promote the aims of the next generation of academics by mentoring early career researchers and junior staff as required. • To carry out major external roles (e.g., within a professional association on advisory boards, within a research council, etc). • To engage in external academic activities in accordance with the Department, School and Faculty’s research strategy, and which will enhance its national/international research profile. • To continue to implement, but also develop, DID’s Action Plan and Strategic Plan to improve the Department as a place to work and study while securing performance objectives commensurate with a high ambition pathway of impact and influence. • To contribute to performance and development review processes as appropriate in accordance with the College’s strategy. • To engage in professional development as appropriate to update skills, and to support teaching excellence. • To demonstrate impact produced from own research, demonstrated by links with non-academic stakeholders and significant public engagement activity. • To undertake any other reasonable duties requested by the Head of School. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy
About the Faculty
School of Global Affairs
About the School
Department of International Development
About the Department
Essential criteria
• PhD in a social science or a related relevant discipline or interdisciplinary field applied to development and/or middle-income countries. • Evidence of established international research profile as evidenced by publications and social science scholarship of an international standard and successful grant capture, with demonstrable impact on the field. • Outstanding expertise in, and social science research, in any area relevant for development. • Proven experience of leadership roles at Department, Faculty or University level (e.g., Head of Department, Head of Education/Research, or other institution-level roles) and willingness to take on the Head of Department role. • Demonstrable experience teaching a wide spectrum of approaches to development from a gender- and race-aware, Global South-focused and decolonial perspective. • Demonstrable ability to design and deliver teaching effectively at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. • Demonstrable commitment to and/or experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and diverse research and teaching environment and collaboratively as a part of a team • Demonstrable understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and how these principles can be applied in a higher education setting. • Evidence of successful supervision through to completion of PhD students in an area relevant to development. • Excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain good working relationships . • A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and evidence of driving initiatives around those three areas in previous roles.
Desirable criteria
• Expertise in a relevant field in the social sciences applied to development in emerging economies. • Evidence of engagement with appropriate research, practitioner and policy communities. • Proven experience of impact leadership, demonstrated by links with non-academic stakeholders and significant public engagement activity. • Evidence of successful external grant applications from major research funders such as the ESRC, Wellcome Trust, European Commission or equivalent funders. • Portfolio of leadership roles in wider profession (e.g., editorship of journal, leadership within professional association, membership of advisory boards).
The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy
We live in a period of global, social, technological and economic transformations. In the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy (SSPP) we seek to understand these changes and to shape transformations through our research and education. We make our distinctive contributions through our connected and engaged research, backed by clear strategies to have impacts in the world and giving our staff and students the skills, judgement and confidence to embrace and shape change. SSPP is home to one of the largest, most diverse and international communities for social research and education in Europe. We have world-leading expertise across social science disciplines, with recognised strengths in health and care, security studies, political economy, global health, social risk and resilience, and education and social justice. Our global perspective draws on specialist expertise about important and dynamic regions of the world, including the European Union, China, India, Brazil, Russia and the Middle East. We believe our education and research can influence change by focusing on real-world problems, by combining perspectives, insights and methods from different bodies of knowledge, and by working with our partners in society. We have deep relationships with government, business, civil society and international organisations, using our position in central London to convene and influence understanding, innovation and practice in the UK and internationally. We share a commitment to engaged curiosity and action in an open, collaborative and inclusive culture. Our Faculty is organised as follows: • School of Education, Communication & Society • School of Global Affairs • The International School for Government • The Policy Institute • School of Politics & Economics • School of Security Studies
The School of Global Affairs
The School of Global Affairs at King’s is a vibrant hub of multi-disciplinary scholarship that seeks to address and resolve the most pressing issues facing our world today. By drawing together a unique cohort of scholars, our School covers expertise in global environmental governance, climate change, global health, cross-border migration, emerging economies and politics. We are comprised of: • Department of Geography • Department of International Development • Department of Global Health & Social Medicine • African Leadership Centre • King’s Brazil Institute • King’s India Institute • Lau China Institute • Menzies Australia Institute This means our research spans the historical to the predictive and crosscuts the physical and social sciences. It also enables us to deliver an exciting portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes, built directly on our innovative and internationally-renowned research. We offer our students the chance to acquire first-hand experience in conducting independent research, to immerse themselves in the living laboratory that is our central London location, and to engage with the wide array of education and social opportunities at King’s. Our scholars also work closely with colleagues across King's and beyond to bring significant regional expertise to bear on key contemporary challenges. By working on projects operating around the world and in collaboration with our local and international partners, we're able to enrich our global outlook and drive our research impact.
The Department of International Development
The Department of International Development at King’s is a young, innovative and contemporary Development Studies department. Our focus is on global patterns of wealth and inequality, with a core focus on middle income countries where substantial wealth sits alongside poverty and precarity, and where official development assistance is largely redundant. The mission of the department is to understand sources of success as well as major development challenges . We have cross and interdisciplinary teams in five varied research groups which share the objectives of improving wellbeing and future lives. The research groups are: • Power, Ecology and Climate • Inequalities, Solidarities and Social Policy • Global Capitalism and Development • Politics, Injustice, Creative Contestation • Global Production, Finance and Labour
Application has passed - page retained for reference only
Please quote the vacancy id: 068248 in all correspondence.
Closing date for applications: 29 August 2023 23:59
Interview date: 03 October 2023
Second interview date: 26 October 2023
Application process
To apply for this post you will need to register on the King’s College London job opportunities page and submit the application form, along with the following: • a concise statement setting out your reasons for applying for the post and highlighting the particular skills and experience which you feel you would bring to the role (two pages maximum) • a curriculum vitae Please ensure you quote reference number: 068248 Closing date for applications: Tuesday 29th August at 23.59hrs
Contact the team
For an informal discussion or to find out more about the role please contact the King’s Search Team.
Selection process
Applications will be shortlisted by a selection committee drawn from across the Department, School and Faculty, and wider College representatives. The interview panel will be chaired by the Executive Dean and will include the Head of School of Global Affairs and representatives from across the Faculty, wider College, and external input. Interview date(s): 3rd & 26th October
Jobs at King's
Find jobs at King's on our jobs search page