The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

The Institute has a focused area of work on AI for Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion: One theme of AI for human rights considers and applies a range of participatory and principles of algorithmic accountability approaches, expanding the solution space to support equality and inclusion across the AI lifecycle including data collection and sharing, and in the design, development and deployment of data science and AI methods.

One of the application areas includes a programme of research activities in the development and application of data science and AI methods to assist modern day slavery challenges and related policy areas (including but not limited to migration, conflict, refugees, gender-based violence), informed by stakeholders. The modern slavery specific work is supported through a mixture of internal and external partnerships: The Institute is a partner in the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy Evidence Centre (herein Modern Slavery PEC) and also funded through and works with the Institute’s AI for Science and Government (ASG) Programme, Defence & Security Programme and Finance Programme, collaborating with colleagues at other Universities (e.g. Cambridge Technology and Trust Initiative) and organisations ranging from the UN, NGOs, Global Partnership for AI, the private and public sector.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Alan Turing Institute is recruiting a casual research assistant to contribute to the expanding programme of work and mission of AI for Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion to support in the delivery of the project on “enabling responsible data flows for policy response to tackle modern slavery”. The project involves a multi-disciplinary team and is led by The Alan Turing Institute. It includes leadership and contribution from Turing’s community in this area of work including researchers at the University of Cambridge in Law and Computer Science, and Unseen – UK’s modern slavery helpline, and the Modern Slavery PEC. Earlier work for the project involved collaborations with Oxford University’s Bonavero Institute and the Open Data Institute.

The goal of the project is to better understand the barriers, opportunities and needs to enable responsible data flows to support in addressing policy and practice challenges to tackle modern day slavery whilst respecting privacy, security and trust. This required work now involves editing reports, drafting briefs, further qualitative analysis, conducting focused literature reviews, bringing together threads, communicating findings for diverse platforms and audiences, building on existing work to identify opportunities for further development, and engaging with stakeholders to ensure that research needs are met.

Candidates should have experience with qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups, and analysing and communicating themes and nuanced issues. We are particularly interested in candidates with research experience on issues related to data sharing and privacy, human rights and emerging technologies, and how this related to marginalised and hidden communities e.g. modern slavery, refugees, LGBTQ+ and/or ethnic minorities. Candidates should bring a nuanced understanding of the distinctions between these themes and the wide range of perspectives and experiences represented within and among them. The post-holder will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team from a range of disciplines – Statistics, Computer Science, Law, Anthropology, etc. The post holder will report to the Theme Lead on AI and Justice and Human Rights.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Contribute to the current understanding and research on data sharing issues (legally, ethically and technically) across sectors and with respect to modern slavery data & tech use context through primary and secondary research.
• Scope, identify and design examples or case studies to showcase and communicate to diverse audiences.
• Respond to changing stakeholder, funder or research team enquiries.
• Organise roundtables, workshops or meetings to learn and share.
• Support in writing other outputs such as blogs, explainers, academic outputs and presentations.

• Masters Degree or equivalent experience in social science (e.g. human rights, anthropology, law, social science, science and technology studies) or other relevant domains.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present complex or technical information, and to communicate effectively with analysts and other stakeholders outside the research community, e.g. journalists and policymakers.
• Experience conducting qualitative research and analysis (and relevant quantitative/descriptive analysis) from interviews, surveys and literature.
• Experience or understanding of issues regarding data sharing/PETs and/or responsible data use and AI designed for social good/human rights challenges.
• A level of comprehension sufficient to conduct relevant literature reviews.
• Ability to critically evaluate findings and derive evidence-driven conclusions.
• Knowledge and interest in participatory methodologies/stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in working with or on issues related to marginalised communities (modern slavery, gender-based violence, targeted ethnic minorities and/or refugees – would be desirable).
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders or multi-disciplinary teams including data scientists, social scientists, community activities, non-profit and for profit organisations, police, policy experts.

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the duties, responsibilities and person specification.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter including a statement of interest. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3575 or 0203 862 3340, or email [email protected].

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to [email protected] quoting the job title.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Thursday 21 July 2022 at 23:59.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early or to interview suitable candidates before the closing date if enough applications are received.

Interviews expected to take place week commencing 25 July 2022.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This opportunity is offered on a zero hours contract for 3 months and ideally requires an immediate start. The successful candidate will be expected to work 20-36 hours per week. Following this 3 month contract, there is an opportunity to continue on a part-time basis of up to 10 hours per week until March 2023. The hourly rate for this casual position is £16.80. Specific working hours can be discussed at interview stage.

This contract is subject to there being no restriction by the Home Office or by the UK Border Agency to your entry and/or continued stay in the UK.

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter.

From 01 March 2022 we will trial a Hybrid Working Model for an initial six-month trial period. During this period, staff will be expected to work at our British Library office for a number of days per month, dependent on the requirements of the role. As a guide, we anticipate this will be between 2-4 days per month, but the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be made for any candidates with a disability.