Policy and Data Analyst

£37,183 (Permanent/ Full time)

The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Policy and Data Analyst to join our Higher Education and Research team in the Policy directorate, providing key support in the delivery of data analysis on matters relating to higher education, teaching, and research policy.

The role

The Policy and Data Analyst will source, monitor and evaluate data and play a significant part in developing the British Academy’s SHAPE Observatory. The Observatory investigates the health of the SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) disciplines and is becoming an increasingly important source of evidence for policymakers, researchers and the wider sector.

The postholder is expected to take a proactive and collaborative approach in developing and maintaining an evidence base that will play a significant role in how the Academy promotes and makes the case for the SHAPE disciplines. Programmes of work in the Higher Education and Research (HE&R) policy team cover the breadth of higher education, teaching and research policy. These assessments underpin substantial policy programmes which inform ongoing policy debate about SHAPE teaching and research in the UK, including its societal and economic value (from local to international), R&D performance and role in key government priorities.

The Policy and Data Analyst will work closely with the other members of the HE&R team (currently thirteen people) to conduct data sourcing, analysis and visualisation across a wide range of high-profile projects. The HE&R team is a collaborative, productive and high-performing team, which is part of the Academy’s Policy Directorate. We work to position the Academy as a thought leader on higher education, teaching and research policy, using robust evidence to influence the health and vibrancy of our disciplines throughout the education pipeline. This involves a combination of reactive responses to policy developments as they occur, and proactive, forward-looking projects designed to strengthen our evidence base, support the SHAPE community and stimulate debate.

Joining an enthusiastic and close-knit team of policy experts, the Policy and Data Analyst will have the opportunity to see their work directly inform policy positions, publications and engagement with stakeholders across the higher education and research landscape. They will work with wider policy teams and colleagues across the Academy to ensure our data analysis and monitoring focus on the most pressing issues in higher education and skills policy. They will also have the opportunity to get involved in various Academy initiatives, from affinity groups and EDI planning, to monitoring and evaluating our performance.

About the Academy

The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy. The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team.

Working at the Academy

Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow.

Terms and conditions

The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1, a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week, with hours and location worked flexibly under our hybrid-working policy; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.

How to apply

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.

To apply, and to see the full job description and our workplace values, please follow the link to access the Applied recruitment platform. Applications must be received no later than 12:00 noon on 2 October 2026.

Please contact the HR team at [email protected] if you have any questions.