We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic social scientist to join an international ESRC-funded project Balancing Trust and Accountability: Charities, Regulators, and Society. The project will use a mixed-methods approach, involving both secondary social survey data and longitudinal focus groups with regulators, charities, funders, policy makers and the general public to explore the perceptions and determinants of trust around the charitable sector. With international partners in the USA, Canada and Switzerland, the project will conduct a comparative international study across different contexts.
The project As societies, we struggle to find the balance between encouraging a vibrant democracy and widening fractures between groups and opinions. Civil society plays a very large role in representing such differing opinions and needs, particularly operating charities and foundations. However, public trust in charities has decreased over recent years in many countries, as has public opinion of government. Meanwhile, regulation and the press for accountability in the charitable sector is increasing. But why are public-serving organizations trusted so little?
This project utilizes four unique country contexts (Canada, the U.K., Switzerland, and the U.S.) to map and understand cross-sector opinions related to trust and accountability. Though these four countries have much in common (including the separation of operating charities and foundations into independent tax-exempt forms), there is significant variation in regulatory approach, interpersonal trust, and popular sentiment toward public-serving institutions. This effort focuses on the perceptions of four audiences toward each other: operating charities, foundations, charity regulators, and the public.
The Role We are recruiting for a Grade 7 post for up to 30 months. The duties will focus on the research and fieldwork within the UK. This includes literature review, ethical approval, methods design, delivery of a programme of focus groups (both in-person and online), analysis of the qualitative data, and contribution to the academic and practice outputs from the project.
The post holder will work under the supervision of Professor Alasdair Rutherford in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Stirling. It will also involve collaboration with investigators at the University of Texas at Dallas (USA); Carleton University (Canada) and the University of Basel (Switzerland).
There will be some opportunity for international travel in this role, for conferences and visiting a partner institution.
Informal enquires can be made to Professor Alasdair Rutherford at [email protected]
Description of DutiesPart time (80% FTE) Fixed term for 30 months
Grade 7: £37,999 - £45,163 p.a. pro-rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 09 March 2025.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances and is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.
The University has implemented the pay uplift for 2024/25 as confirmed by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA). This is being implemented in two stages - the first stage was effective from the 1 August 2024 and is reflected in the advertised salary, the second stage is effective from 1 March 2025 therefore salaries will increase in accordance with agreed rates.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and CompetenciesThe role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
Managing self and personal skills Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
Finding solutions Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
Embracing change Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
Using resources effectively Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
Engaging with the wider context Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
Developing self and others Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
Working together Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
Achieving Results Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has 18,500+ students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented on our scenic central Scotland campus. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and top five in the world (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), reflecting our long- standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University- led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www. stir.ac.uk
Job number
FAC02013Contract Type
Fixed Term ContractPosting End Date
12-Mar-2025Location:
Stirling CampusGrade
Grade7 £37,999 - £45,163 p.a.Faculty/Service
Faculty of Social Sciences The PostWe are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic social scientist to join an international ESRC-funded project Balancing Trust and Accountability: Charities, Regulators, and Society. The project will use a mixed-methods approach, involving both secondary social survey data and longitudinal focus groups with regulators, charities, funders, policy makers and the general public to explore the perceptions and determinants of trust around the charitable sector. With international partners in the USA, Canada and Switzerland, the project will conduct a comparative international study across different contexts.
The project As societies, we struggle to find the balance between encouraging a vibrant democracy and widening fractures between groups and opinions. Civil society plays a very large role in representing such differing opinions and needs, particularly operating charities and foundations. However, public trust in charities has decreased over recent years in many countries, as has public opinion of government. Meanwhile, regulation and the press for accountability in the charitable sector is increasing. But why are public-serving organizations trusted so little?
This project utilizes four unique country contexts (Canada, the U.K., Switzerland, and the U.S.) to map and understand cross-sector opinions related to trust and accountability. Though these four countries have much in common (including the separation of operating charities and foundations into independent tax-exempt forms), there is significant variation in regulatory approach, interpersonal trust, and popular sentiment toward public-serving institutions. This effort focuses on the perceptions of four audiences toward each other: operating charities, foundations, charity regulators, and the public.
The Role We are recruiting for a Grade 7 post for up to 30 months. The duties will focus on the research and fieldwork within the UK. This includes literature review, ethical approval, methods design, delivery of a programme of focus groups (both in-person and online), analysis of the qualitative data, and contribution to the academic and practice outputs from the project.
The post holder will work under the supervision of Professor Alasdair Rutherford in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Stirling. It will also involve collaboration with investigators at the University of Texas at Dallas (USA); Carleton University (Canada) and the University of Basel (Switzerland).
There will be some opportunity for international travel in this role, for conferences and visiting a partner institution.
Informal enquires can be made to Professor Alasdair Rutherford at [email protected]
Description of DutiesPart time (80% FTE) Fixed term for 30 months
Grade 7: £37,999 - £45,163 p.a. pro-rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 09 March 2025.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances and is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.
The University has implemented the pay uplift for 2024/25 as confirmed by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA). This is being implemented in two stages - the first stage was effective from the 1 August 2024 and is reflected in the advertised salary, the second stage is effective from 1 March 2025 therefore salaries will increase in accordance with agreed rates.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and CompetenciesThe role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
Managing self and personal skills Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
Finding solutions Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
Embracing change Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
Using resources effectively Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
Engaging with the wider context Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
Developing self and others Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
Working together Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
Achieving Results Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has 18,500+ students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented on our scenic central Scotland campus. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and top five in the world (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), reflecting our long- standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University- led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www. stir.ac.uk