The British Academy is a voice that champions humanities and social sciences. As a national body they support the study of people, cultures and societies, past, present and future. Their purpose is to be an independent Fellowship of world-leading scholars and researchers; a Funding Body that supports new research (nationally and internationally); and a Forum for debate and engagement.
“The British Academy provides a vital national forum for the humanities and social sciences. These subjects make a fundamental contribution to our understanding of identity, humanity and community – and it is essential that the UK continues to recognise the competitive advantage this wealth of knowledge and expertise gives the country.” – Alun Evans, Chief Executive of the British Academy
Alun Evans has been Chief Executive of the British Academy since July 2015. With a Communications background, Alun worked as Head of Strategic Communications at 10 Downing Street, and as Director of Communications to the former Deputy Prime Minister before taking up his role as Director of the Scotland Office, as well as various positions across government departments.
The British Academy’s principal roles:
A Fellowship of distinguished scholars from all areas of the humanities and social sciences, elected by their peers, that facilitates the exchange of knowledge and ideas and promotes the work of their subjects.
A Forum for debate and engagement that stimulates public interest and deepens understanding, that enhances global leadership and policy making, and that acts as a voice for the humanities and social science.
British Academy’s Strategic Plan published last year and running to 2020 has four main objectives:
- Championing the Humanities and Social Sciences
- Advancing excellent research
- Shaping policy and public understanding
- Delivering global leadership in research
In January 2017, Liz Hutchinson was appointed to the senior management team as the Director of Communications and Engagement by the British Academy. She has worked with many high-profile organisations within the education and public sectors. Previously Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Goldsmiths where she led a team of 18 working across all aspects of communications. This includes leading the Communications and Corporate Marketing strategy for the organisation, delivering an award-winning website and digital strategy, a brand refresh, new staff channels and a Public Engagement Strategy to promote research.
She has brought with her a range of expertise in: strategic communications, change management, content strategy and integrated campaigns, as well as digital platform development. Her role involves reviewing and re‐energising all aspects of the British Academy’s communications activity, with a particular focus on how they use digital channels to communicate with their diverse audience. Alongside this her objective is to build a dynamic, agile, creative and effective Communications Department, supported by a team of 12 people.
Following a review, a number of roles have been created to play a central role in a communications transformation project placing digital at the heart of their strategy.
the roles
Head of News and Stakeholder Engagement
To lead the Academy’s media relations and stakeholder engagement strategy, to secure greater visibility of the Academy’s role and value across traditional media, print and broadcast, and via the organisation’s owned and earned online media. This role will lead the Academy’s strategic communications planning, to capture stories and disseminate them to a wide audience. It will deepen engagement with a wide range of internal and external audiences, co‐ordinating stakeholder engagement across the Academy and strengthening the organisation’s profile with opinion formers.
Head of Digital
This is a pivotal role in the business as they are currently reshaping their digital communications. You will own the entire digital department and develop and implement a new strategy, including formatting existing channels and introducing new ones. As part of the Communications Management Team, you will manage and develop a digitally forward-facing team of staff, as well as contributing to the Communications Strategy. This will also include working collaboratively with other managers across the disciplines, and developing a community of editors.
Events Producer
This is a new role that is designed to bring a fresh look to British Academy’s events programme, as part of a newly integrated Events Team. As well as running the British Academy’s renowned Conference programme, you will also lead it’s fledgling summer exhibition. You will work with the Head of Events to explore new partnerships with external organisations, and with the Head of Digital to integrate digital elements into the events programme. You will develop an evaluation framework to deliver robust and useful reports, and insight to shape the organisation’s activity.
For a full and detailed role description along with additional information on the British Academy please select from these links: