SPARK Research Assistant Research Ethics and Antiracism

SPARK is the world’s first social science research park, co-locating world-leading social science researchers with private sector companies, public sector bodies, third sector organisations and local community organisations, working towards a common social purpose. The common social purpose is to create a wiser society – to help individuals, communities and organisations understand and develop solutions to the challenges it faces in ways that also contribute to fairer and more equitable outcomes.

We are recruiting a Research Assistant to support key projects that advance our research culture and civic engagement goals. The student will be supported and managed by SPARK Research Fellow, Dr Anna Skeels.

This project aims to explore how ‘everyday’ ethics review processes shape research and seeks to embed antiracism principles within them.

Cardiff University’s Race Equality Chartermark (REC) sets out our journey towards ‘an antiracist university’. However, how we do research, a substantive component of our ‘core’ business, is not part of the REC. The University’s EDI Toolkit for Research is a valuable resource for embedding EDI across the research cycle. However, EDI is different in nature and substance to antiracism which tackles racism at systemic and structural levels.

This small project will conduct a literature review on racism, antiracism, and ethics in Higher Education in the UK, engage stakeholders such as School REC Chairs and the Open Research Integrity and Ethics Committee (ORIEC), and culminate in a roundtable event to discuss practical steps toward antiracist ethics review.

• Attend an initial briefing, orientation and develop a work plan
• Conduct desk-based research and provide an accessible evidence synthesis (for example slide deck and short, summary document) on approaches and tools for antiracist research ethics committees, review and approval processes and related matters
• Support and participate with the round table event
• Participate in regular meetings and tasks with the research team as required

The synthesis will be shared with staff and students acting as ‘critical friends’ for the project and then presented as part of the round table event focusing on research ethics and antiracism for Cardiff University.

Essential:

• Working toward a degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience
• A good understanding of the topic selected
• A proven ability to do desk-based research and conduct interviews (where required/relevant to the project) and produce clear outputs at quality

Desirable:

• Postgraduate degree at MSC or PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area
• Experience/knowledge of one or more of the research areas listed above

• The posts are advertised through Cardiff University Jobshop with a closing date of Wednesday 18th February 2026
• In your application, include a short statement outlining your interest and suitability
• Selected candidates will be invited to a short online interview on Microsoft Teams

Important information for working through Jobshop:

Please note, this advert may come down early if there is a high volume of applications. If you are interested in this role, we recommend you apply as soon as possible.

All students who undertake work through Jobshop must complete a Right to Work check before starting any paid work or work-related training. We will contact successful candidates regarding this. To find out more about Right to Work please contact

Students are eligible to work through Jobshop for 3 months post their end of studies date (usually noted on their student / proof of enrolment letter), providing all Right to Work documents (such as visas) are still in date. Please only apply if you are eligible to work for the entirety of the role.

If you are on an hour-limited visa, it is your responsibility to ensure you do not exceed the working-hour restriction Monday - Sunday, each week. This is a legal restriction that must be adhered to for work completed both within and outside of Jobshop.