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Leeds Policy Institute - 2026–27 Recruitment

Writer: Leeds Policy Institute
Leeds Policy Institute
2 days ago
6 min read

Updated: 20 hours ago

With the start of the new academic year, Leeds Policy Institute (LPI) is happy to announce that recruitment for our 2026–27 contributor and committee positions is now open.


As usual, we are recruiting for a wide range of roles across our Editorial, Communications, Research, and Data Modelling teams. Whether you are interested in policy research, academic editing, communications, writing, or data analysis, there are opportunities to get involved and contribute to the work of the Institute.


Editorial Team


This year, we are recruiting for five Research Editor positions and five Blog Editor positions.


Research Editors


Research Editors play an essential role in the smooth running of our Research Teams and the production of LPI's annual research reports. Working directly with our policy teams, Research Editors are responsible for the structural and substantive editing of long-form research papers, supporting each project from its initial draft through to final publication.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing, editing, and providing constructive feedback on long-form policy reports, working closely with research teams from initial draft to final publication.

  • Ensuring research papers meet high standards of academic rigour, clarity, coherence, and presentation.

  • Working within the Institute's publication schedule and adhering to key deadlines throughout the research cycle.


Blog Editors

Blog Editors manage LPI's fast-paced online content, including op-eds and blog posts, ensuring that our publications are engaging, accessible, and of a consistently high standard.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Editing and refining staff blog posts and op-ed submissions to improve their quality, clarity, and readability.

  • Learning and using the Wix platform to format and publish articles directly to the Institute's website.

  • Managing the publication schedule for blog contributors to ensure a timely and consistent flow of content.

  • Maintaining open communication with contributors, providing guidance and constructive feedback to help develop their writing.


If you have strong editorial skills, an interest in policy, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply to join the LPI Editorial Team this year.


Apply here: 


Communications Team


We are also recruiting for one Communications Officer position.

The Communications Officer will play a key role in managing and producing the Institute's monthly internal and external newsletters, covering upcoming events, recent research outputs, media coverage, and other important LPI news.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Creating engaging content for and managing LPI's primary social media channels, including LinkedIn and Instagram, to grow our audience and increase engagement.

  • Assisting with the planning, promotion, and management of LPI events, including speaker series and research conferences.

  • Supporting the production and promotion of the LPI podcast, helping to expand its reach and audience.

  • Contributing to the development and implementation of LPI's wider communications and engagement strategy to strengthen the Institute's public profile and impact.



Blog Contributors


We are also opening 35 positions for Blog Contributors for the 2026–27 academic year.

This role is designed for students with a passion for writing and public policy who are interested in contributing articles to the LPI blog. It provides an opportunity to develop your writing, engage with current policy issues, and contribute to the Institute's wider public-facing work.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Regularly writing op-eds and blog articles for the LPI platform, ensuring content is insightful, relevant, and engaging.

  • Maintaining open communication with Blog Editors to ensure written work is submitted, reviewed, and published in a timely manner.

  • Collaborating with fellow writers and editors, while engaging with the work of our Research Teams to develop ideas for new articles.

  • Attending regular meetings to brainstorm ideas, discuss current issues, and connect with the wider Editorial Team.



Head of Public Affairs


The Head of Public Affairs will lead LPI's external communications and stakeholder engagement, helping to translate the Institute's research into accessible materials for audiences beyond the university. The role will also focus on building relationships with external organisations and developing partnerships that can expand LPI's reach and impact.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Create and distribute multimedia communications across LPI's working groups, translating research findings into accessible briefs, communications, and engagement materials.

  • Build and maintain partnerships with regional organisations to expand the Institute's community engagement and external network.

  • Represent LPI at external events and in meetings and discussions with partner organisations.

  • Support fundraising activities, including grant applications and university funding requests.

  • Work closely with Working Group Leads to develop a strong understanding of their research and ensure that findings are communicated accurately and effectively to non-specialist audiences.


Key Requirements:

  • Currently enrolled as a student at the University of Leeds.

  • Strong written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex or technical material clearly and effectively to non-specialist audiences.

  • Confidence in approaching external organisations and developing professional relationships from an initial point of contact.

  • Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple communications workstreams simultaneously.

  • A genuine interest in public policy, public affairs, communications, or the relationship between research and public-facing impact.


If you are interested in helping bring LPI's research to wider audiences and developing relationships with organisations beyond the university, we encourage you to apply.



Research Teams


We are recruiting for two types of positions within our Research Teams: Policy Heads and Policy Researchers.


Policy Heads

We are recruiting five Policy Heads for the 2026–27 academic year.

If you are a student with a strong interest in public policy and possess leadership skills, we invite you to apply to join our growing research team.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring first drafts are completed by 7 December, feedback and revisions are incorporated by 24 February, and final reports are ready for publication by 5 April.

  • Developing valuable research questions with a strong data-analysis component within your policy area and presenting these to the Head of Research and senior committee members.

  • Scheduling weekly or biweekly team meetings to discuss research direction, provide progress updates, and refine research questions collaboratively.

  • Attending monthly Research Committee meetings, increasing to two meetings per month during peak periods, to present findings and provide progress updates to the wider research team.

  • Tracking deliverables using Google Drive and the research tracker to ensure projects remain on schedule.

  • Maintaining open communication with the Head of Research and Editorial Team, ensuring that feedback is both provided and incorporated effectively.

  • Providing guidance and support to your team and ensuring that key milestones are met within the specified deadlines, including BCUR and first- and second-draft deadlines.

  • Optional: Writing op-eds for the LPI blog or external publications and participating in media opportunities where available.



Policy Researchers

We are recruiting 25 Policy Researchers for the 2026–27 academic year.

Policy Researchers will work directly under Policy Group Leaders and contribute to the research and writing of the long-form reports published by LPI at the end of the academic year.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring first drafts are completed by 7 December, feedback and revisions are incorporated by 24 February, and reports are finalised by 5 April.

  • Attending weekly or biweekly team meetings to discuss research direction, provide progress updates, and contribute to the development of research questions.

  • Attending monthly Research Committee meetings, increasing to two meetings per month during peak periods, to present findings and provide progress updates to the wider research team.

  • Completing deliverables set by your Policy Group Leader using Google Drive.

  • Regularly updating your Policy Group Leader on your research progress.

  • Promptly communicating any disruptions or challenges affecting your research commitments to the Head of Research through the designated Google Forms channel.

  • Optional: Writing op-eds for the LPI blog or external publications and participating in media opportunities where available.




Data Modelling Team


Finally, we have six positions available for Data Analysts to join our Data Modelling Team for the 2026–27 academic year.


Data Analysts play a crucial role in supporting our policy research teams by gathering, analysing, and presenting data to address key policy questions.


Key responsibilities include:

  • Working as a Data Analyst within a research team specialising in one of our six key policy areas, undertaking the quantitative and qualitative analysis required for research projects.

  • Applying statistical and/or econometric techniques to analyse relationships, trends, and patterns within datasets using Excel and, where appropriate, other statistical and data-analysis software such as R, Stata, or Python.

  • Participating in regular research meetings to provide analytical insights, report on progress, and help refine research objectives.

  • Providing quality assurance and constructive feedback on work produced by other Data Analysts, helping to ensure that analytical outputs across the Institute meet a consistently high standard.

  • Maintaining open communication with the Head of Data Analysis regarding any challenges or disruptions affecting your work.

  • Optional: Writing op-eds for the LPI blog, contributing to external publications, and representing LPI in media opportunities where available.


Apply here:


Join Leeds Policy Institute

Whether you are interested in research, writing, editing, communications, or data analysis, LPI offers the opportunity to work alongside fellow students, develop valuable skills, and contribute to meaningful policy research throughout the academic year.

Applications are now open and will close between the 9th and 11th of October.


Read more about each role here:










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