Centre for Democratic Futures (CDF): Communication Internship

Background

The Centre of Democratic Futures seeks to investigate, discuss and disseminate practices that underpin democracy and that respond to threats to democracy. This involves not just cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, but dialogue and consultation with the wider community and policy makers. The CDF is committed to intersectionality and inclusion, which is reflected in the ethos as well as past events organised by the centre.

Since its relaunch in December 2020, the Centre for Democratic Futures has produced a large number of well attended online international events. These have responded directly to political events such as the inauguration of the current US Presidents and attacks on civil rights. The events have attracted a wide range of participants: from a UoS-based community to national (both academic and general public) and international participants.

Objectives

The website, social media communications, and delivery of engagement of the Centre does not currently reflect the reach ambition and expertise of the Centre. In this sense, this funding would directly impact our ability to be more ambitious and far reaching, both in terms of policy impact and public engagement. at the same time, the funding would provide the employability of the intern, who will learn skills on developing an effective web presence and communication strategy. The intern will work closely with CDF directors and the steering group.

We aim at developing communications content and map networks to further our policy engagement. We are particularly keen to expand the reach of our current communication, build new research contacts outside the University as well as strengthening our existing ones and representing minority voices in our engagement with the wider public.

We are proposing to employ a PhD student to work with the current CDF Directors (PI and CoIs) to achieve these goals. In particular, we intend to develop our blog and online presence in ways that will make it sustainable at the end of the project.