Lecturer in Public Policy

Salary:

Lecturer Grade F: £41,064 to £46,049 per annum

Lecturer Grade G: £47,389 to £56,535 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 07 August 2026

The Role

The School of Geography, Politics and Sociology seeks to appoint a Lecturer in Public Policy (Teaching and Research).

The Politics Unit in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology is home to a diverse and friendly community of staff and students, committed to world-leading research and excellent, innovative teaching. We conduct interdisciplinary and methodologically diverse public policy research and teach it at all degree levels.

We're based in the refurbished Henry Daysh Building, bringing our school community closer together.

For more information about the school, please click here. For information about research in Politics, please click here.

You will conduct research in any area of public policy, with a preferred focus on international public policy, and contribute to teaching on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Beyond classroom instruction, you will help us establish further strategic partnerships with public and civic organisations to strengthen Politics’ distinctive experiential learning offerings. Ideally, you will have a track record of engagement and evidence of the impact of your research beyond academic settings. We are particularly interested in scholars with expertise in international public policy and who can teach research methods (qualitative and/or quantitative) at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We value methodological pluralism.

You will have a track-record of publications in public policy in high impact (Q1) journals and other outlets commensurate with your career stage, suitable for submission to REF UoA 19 (Politics). You will have experience of teaching undergraduates and/or postgraduates. You will be collegial and keen to develop your academic career in a collaborative environment that values and supports research, teaching, and engagement. We particularly welcome evidence of engagement with non-academic audiences, especially with international organisation and other international actors.

Informal enquiries can be made to: Dr Maarja Lühiste maarja.luhiste@ncl.ac.uk, Prof. Valentina Feklyunina valentina.feklyunina@ncl.ac.uk, Dr Johannes Kneiss johannes.kneiss@ncl.ac.uk, and Dr Katharine Wright Katharine.wright@ncl.ac.uk.

Key Accountabilities

Teaching and Learning

• Design and deliver high quality teaching and learning material, resources, and activities to students in line with School and Faculty teaching objectives and timetable requirements
• Teach on undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including co-teaching team taught modules, and methods modules
• Provide a range of timely student support to enhance the student experience and achievements. Set, mark, and assess course work and examinations, providing timely and effective feedback to students
• Provide academic guidance and pastoral support (when appropriate, obtaining specialist support and advice)
• Supervise undergraduate and taught postgraduate students’ dissertations and research projects
• Contribute to the planning, design and development of modules and programmes to improve teaching across the School and Faculty
• Evaluate own practice and presently have or a willingness to work towards a category of Fellowship with the HEA

Research and Innovation

• Plan, organise and carry out research, to ensure the contribution of new knowledge, insight, and innovation to the relevant field of public policy
• Prepare and submit applications for appropriate funding, to carry out an area of research, or contribute to this activity as a member of a team working on a broader programme
• Disseminate research results through appropriate media and fora to advance knowledge in the field and enhance the University’s reputation for high quality research. This will include authoring or co-authoring monographs and papers for publication in high-quality academic journals
• Attract and supervise PhD students to ensure their successful completion (initially as a member of the supervisory team)
• Contribute to the wider internal and external research community e.g. by reviewing journal articles, peer review of research grants, active engagement with relevant university research clusters, and membership of professional bodies
• Where appropriate, initiate or contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations to maximise the benefits for the School, Faculty and University
• Where appropriate participate in formal knowledge transfer activities and consultancy

Engagement and Impact

• Participate in organised programmes of outreach/public engagement
• Promote the University’s values and support widening access to our programmes and facilities to people who have historically had little involvement in universities
• Develop programmes of teaching and/or research which include knowledge sharing with the private and public sectors, and with civil society, with especial reference to marginalised and disadvantaged social groups
• Contribute to the development of public policy e.g. through advice to public bodies at international, national, regional, and local levels, as appropriate
• Contribute to the development of impact case studies
• Contribute to professional development in your field by active membership of learned societies and professional institutions

Administration and Management

• Take responsibility for a defined management or administrative role such as Module Leader, Academic Advisor, and/or other duties as agreed with the Head of Unit
• Contribute to the wider work of the School, Faculty and University through input to project teams, working groups and committees

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A track record, commensurate with your career stage, of published research in public policy in high impact journals (Q1) and other outlets, suitable for submission to REF UoA 19 (Politics)
• Evidence of/potential to contribute to the field through participation in research-focused activities such as conferences, workshops, seminars and/or invited talks to academic and non-academic audiences
• Evidence of/potential of applying for research funding
• Research skills that draw on a range of methods, data sources and techniques
• Evidence of engaging with external stakeholders, generating real-world impact from research
• Experience of/potential of lecturing, seminar teaching, assessment, and/or dissertation supervision, including teaching research design and/or methods
• Experience of/potential of providing academic guidance and/or pastoral care to students
• Experience of/potential of providing support or mentoring to colleagues or students
• Experience working with, within, or alongside government bodies, international organisations, charities, NGOs, think tanks, or related policy and public-interest organisations (or the potential to do so). (Desirable)

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to maintaining and supporting a diverse and inclusive working environment, in which all colleagues and students are treated fairly and respectfully
• Excellent organisational, time management and presentation skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Willingness and ability to act in a collegial manner, making a positive contribution to maintaining and enhancing a collaborative environment that values and supports excellent research, teaching, and impact
• Willingness and ability to assume administrative responsibilities
• You will be collegial and keen to develop your academic career in a collaborative environment that values and supports research, teaching and impact. You will be enthusiastic about discussing public policy with students and non-academic audiences

Qualifications

• You will hold a PhD in Public Policy or a closely related discipline

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 29506