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We are pleased to announce a new fellowship with SHIFT, London’s innovation catalyst.

This fellowship presents an exciting opportunity for a UCL academic or researcher to use their research skills and knowledge to support SHIFT in assessing innovation capacity in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP), whilst gaining valuable insight into to challenges, opportunities and mechanics of policy development at the local scale.  Ìý

Fellowship structure

Funded through EPSRC IAA, this fellowship is intended to start end of September 2024. It will be a 6-month placement on a part time (3-day p/w) basis. This is a hybrid role, with 2 days per week in SHIFT’s office.  Ìý

The successful fellow will work with the SHIFT team, hosted within the London Legacy Development Corporation and based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) in east London. ÌýÌý

By participating in these fellowships, researchers can gain hands-on experience in policy development and contribute meaningfully to community-oriented initiatives. Deadline: 23ÌýSeptember 17:00 BST. Ìý

Scope of the Fellowship Ìý

This Fellowship seeks to define, measure and assess the ‘innovation capacity’ of QEOP, develop clear and compelling visualisations of the data from this and draw key insights for strategic programming and policy. Ìý

Background ÌýÌý

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is home to the SHIFT innovation district, which focuses on addressing urban challenges through inclusive and responsible innovation.1 An innovation catalyst and ecosystem, SHIFT2 has strengths in areas like climate action, circular economy, health and wellbeing, advanced mobility, inclusive design, digital and data design. ÌýSHIFT has 190 organisations in its membership, and is backed by 7 locally based organisations: Queen Elizabeth Country Park; UCL; Loughborough University in London; University of the Arts London; London Legacy Corporation; , , and . Together, these organisations are engineering healthier environments and enhancing the region’s economic capabilities. Ìý

Objectives and rationale Ìý

The objectives of this project are to: 

• Support SHIFT to develop and test suitable definitions, measures and framework methodology for measuring ‘innovation capacity’ across a defined area, contributing to SHIFT’s ‘Impact Roadmap’.  Ìý
• Use this to develop a robust evidence base detailing the current (as of 2025) innovation capacity of the Olympic Park and surrounding areas in areas such as immersive technologies, cyber security and sustainable construction. Ìý
• Collaborate with SHIFT, UCL Consultants Ltd. to develop clear visualisations of the data helping to show strengths and weaknesses (and key opportunities and potentially trends) in the area's innovation capacity.  Ìý
• Support in the development of a transferable framework and methodology that can be used by other innovation clusters seeking to run the same analysis.  Ìý

This work will help support:  Ìý

• The SHIFT team to understand and prioritise different innovation capacity strengths and weaknesses, shaping its strategic programme.  Ìý
• Universities on the Olympic Park to plan R&D programming according to existing local innovation capacity and opportunities.  Ìý
• Universities on the Olympic Park to identify gaps and potential opportunities to develop future courses and knowledge exchange programmes.  Ìý
• Local Authorities and the Greater London Authority to shape investment priorities over the next 3 – 5 years spending review cycle according to local innovation capacity and opportunities.   Ìý

Role description and key responsibilitiesÌý

Gather data on the ‘innovation capacity’ in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park:Ìý

• Identify key research questions related to innovation capacity.Ìý
• Define the elements that make up innovation capacity within an area.Ìý
• Determine measures for the critical elements of innovation capacity within an area (making use of predominately publicly available data sources).Ìý
• Investigate the baseline measures of existing innovation initiatives, stakeholders, and infrastructure within the park.Ìý
• Assess the impact of previous innovation projects SHIFT has supported  Ìý

Develop clear and compelling visualisations of the data: Ìý

• Explore how the ongoing collection of ‘innovation capacity’ data could form part of the Digital Frontiers platform3Ìý
• Explore how the ongoing collection of data could be part of the public facing SHIFT website to facilitate knowledge sharing and spark opportunities for collaboration Ìý
• Collaborate with SHIFT, UCL Consultants Ltd and other SHIFT partners (such as brand designers) to visualise information in a readily accessible wayÌý

ÌýÌýLink insights into policy recommendations:Ìý

• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations at a Local Authority level, at an Innovation District level, at a national levelÌýand at a university level.  Ìý
• Organise workshops or focus groups with local communities and businesses. Ìý
• Develop a report summarising findings and recommendations. Ìý

It is imperative this work considers:  Ìý

• How to keep the data easily updateable, relevant and shareable with stakeholders  Ìý
• How the framework can be used for multiple use cases to provide insight and support policy and investment decisions by various stakeholders. Ìý
• How visualisations can help facilitate the data insights and interpretation for different types of users.  Ìý
• How to manage the risks of highlighting gaps in innovation capacity.  

Essential Skills and Experience:Ìý

• Understanding of innovation ecosystems, economic development, public policyÌý
• Experience in gathering and processing data.Ìý
• Proficiency in data visualization, insights, and analysis.Ìý
• Ability to select the right indicators for measuring ‘innovation capacity’ and structuring the approach to data capture.Ìý
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience in translating research for different audiences.Ìý
• Prior experience in policy engagement with local authorities.Ìý
• Experience in applying for ethical approvalÌý

Essential Attributes

• A proactive team player who can build rapport quickly.Ìý
• Agile and comfortable with change.Ìý
• Collaborative, with the ability to work effectively in a team.Ìý
• Analytical, methodical, and logical thinker.Ìý
• Good at listening and observing.Ìý

Ways of working

The fellowship will be for 6-months on a part time (3-day p/w) basis. This is a hybrid role, with 2 days per week in SHIFT’s office.

About you

These secondments are open to eligible academic and research staff at 911±¬ÁÏÍø Grade 6, 7 or 8. Eligible applicants must have a UCL employment contract that extends beyond the secondment period.

To apply

Please complete the  to apply for this opportunity. If you have difficulty in accessing or using this form please contact Dr Alice Tofts, Policy Fellowship Coordinator, UCL Public Policy (alice.tofts@ucl.ac.uk). If you have any questions please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions ±è²¹²µ±ð. 

We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic, female and disabled/neurodivergent candidates. If you have any questions please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page. Ìý

In order to apply, you mustÌý

• have obtained consent from your line manager to do the fellowshipÌý
• Submit a worktribe costing from your finance manager for your direct costs for the fellowship period Ìý

Please note information provided in the application form will be shared with SHIFT to assess your suitability for the award. For more information on data sharing please see the UCL Staff Privacy Statement here and UCL statement on tasks in the public interest here. Ìý

Application Deadline: 23 September

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