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Communications Editors

We are seeking people with an interest in the interface between data science and policy to help us develop our digital communications for two related projects. 

This is a unique opportunity for people to both network with important contacts in an emerging research area of great public importance, and gain experience that could enhance their career development in a number of ways (academic field-building, communications, publishing and editing). 

Data for Policy is an international conference series for interdisciplinary and cross-sector exchanges about the impact of data science on policy and governance. Over the course of six years it has created a network of individuals and institutional partners in academia, government, international agencies, non-profit institutions, and businesses.  

Data & Policy is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published by Cambridge University Press that is dedicated to deepening understanding about how systems of policy and data relate to each other (“policy-data interactions”), and engaging with new trends in the dissemination of knowledge. 

The Communications Editors will join a small team of people developing the community involved with these two projects. We outline some of the likely activities below. The ideal candidates are all-rounders, capable of thinking strategically about the channels of communication to embed this ethos, as well as being prepared to deliver more routine tasks. We are also interested in candidates with specialist skills. 

Activities

We do not expect one individual to cover all of the tasks below, but in your application you should refer to your interest and experience in any of the following areas. 

Social media management: The Conference and Journal both have a well-developed presence on Twitter, which is  important as a means for disseminating information to the wider network:

  • Preparing regular tweets about announcements and publications;
  • Identifying and responding to news stories and trending topics;
  • Re-highlighting past Conference and Journal material at opportune moments; 
  • Engagement with key individuals and institutions in the community; 
  • Maintaining lists and building the network of followers to the accounts; 
  • Measuring impact through the use of analytics;
  • Incorporating video content in social media posts; 
  • Developing other social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram) 

Video: The Conference has an under-utilised wealth of material on YouTube and we are also seeking to re-use video content and develop new contentAn understanding of how to direct, present and edit video content, together with skills to improve discoverability of this content and drive engagement with the Data for Policy YouTube channel are important to our next phase of development. 

Blog: Data & Policy has a blog that needs to be maintained and edited by someone with an eye for topical relevant posts and skill with language; 

  • Sourcing monthly blog posts with the aid of the Data & Policy editorial community; 
  • Liaising with authors, developing and editing posts; 

  • Using the blog to amplify Conference announcements and activities and further the impact of Data & Policy publications


Community Newsletter:  A quarterly Data for Policy eNewsletter was launched earlier for an audience of several thousand recipients. Tasks include: 

  • Sourcing content for different sections of the newsletter and integrating it in a coherent way; 
  • Contacting and profiling members of our community in the newsletter
  • Adding graphical content to make the newsletter visually appealing
  • Sending and maintaining the frequency of the newsletter (via Mailchimp)

Person Specification
  • Educated to degree level (essential), ideally in a technical subject 
  • Strong knowledge of social media platforms including but not limited to Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube (essential)
  • Strong English language skills, verbal and written (essential)
  • Experience building a social media and communications strategy; 
  • Experience editing blogs and newsletters; 
  • Experience editing and producing video and animation 
  • An understanding of how to improve discoverability, e.g. through search engine optimisation; 
  • Interest in data science and public policy 
  • Experience of volunteering, especially in social media or communications capacity 

Candidates should also be collaborative with strong organisational skills and good attention to detail. Flexibility and the ability to act on your own initiative are also essential.  

Benefits

This is an ideal opportunity for someone developing an interest in data science and/or looking to gain contacts and experience that can help with an academic career, or a career in communications or publishing. 

Communication Editors will receive additional benefits from Cambridge University Press and the Data for Policy Conference. 

Time Commitment

Expected to be a few hours a week, including attending regular meetings.

Term

For an initial period of one year and the potential for a longer-term extension. 

How to apply

CV and covering your experience and how you meet the person specification to the Data for Policy community address team@dataforpolicy.org

Deadline: Fri Dec 10, 2021.