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Call for Researcher(s)

03/05/2023

Background

Facing Facts, coordinated by CEJI, is a multi-stakeholder partnership of civil society organisations and public authorities that works to better understand and address hate crime and hate speech through research, training and advocacy. Our online learning programmes, hosted by Facing Facts Online, have been running since 2015. Our programmes draw on the latest research and policy developments on hate crime and hate speech. Our tutors have extensive experience in the area and are qualified in online learning design and facilitation. We offer a mix of online learning options, including self-paced courses, cohort-based learning and customised courses and programmes. Our aim is to deliver programmes that equip learners with the knowledge and tools to effectively and appropriately respond to hate crime and hate speech in their context whether public authority, civil society, national or international.

In December 2022 Facing Facts published a policy paper outlining gaps and opportunities in research, policy and practice regarding digital learning for police, criminal justice and civil society professionals, specifically in the context of hate crime and hate speech. We concluded that while online learning programmes have grown in recent years, this work has, to a large extent, been undertaken in an empirical and conceptual vacuum. With the exception of one or two studies, empirical research almost exclusively focuses on school and university students, teachers and educators. 

The purpose of this research is to contribute to the empirical knowledge regarding what motivates and supports communities of practice like ours to learn and connect online. Key aims are: to better understand how to meet our learners’ needs using our own data, existing empirical evidence and innovative practice in the field; and, to identify what policy support, and further research is needed to support these efforts. 

We are now looking to build the right team for the successful delivery of this research. Depending on the skill set and experience of our applicants, we are open to inviting two researchers to join the team. 

CEJI is based in Brussels and the role is home-based.


Role description

Under the guidance of the project lead, the successful candidate(s) will perform the following tasks:

  • Create a detailed work plan, based on agreed tasks
  • Create detailed ‘learner personas’ of our core target learners
  • Research, summarise and analyse current data and literature on the needs, motivations and perspectives of online learners in the context of cross disciplinary communities of practice such as Facing Facts. 
  • Research, summarise and analyse relevant EU policy and guidance regarding online learning on hate crime and hate speech in the context of cross disciplinary communities of practice such as Facing Facts. 
  • Research, summarise and evaluate strengths and gaps in current online learning landscape on hate crime and hate speech, including programmes offered by Council of Europe, CEPOL, UN, OSCE/ODIHR etc. 
  • Research and identify innovative practice in the area of strengthening online communities of practice in human rights education, for example supporting collaborative and social learning. 


Person specification 

Essential: 

  • Experience in researching and creating learning personas for online learning, based on interview and LMS data.  
  • Deep knowledge of online learning and design, ideally in the context of continuing professional development and/or professional communities of practice, and/or human rights education.  
  • Experience in reviewing, summarising and analysing empirical data, policy documents
  • Excellent written English
  • Experience in preparing, conducting, transcribing and thematically analysing interviews


Highly desirable:

  • Experience in researching police/criminal justice/ victim support perspectives on online learning in the area of human rights and non-discrimination education


Research Duration: 6 months with possibility of continued cooperation in the second phase of the research

Contract duration and fee

The researcher(s) will be subcontracted for 15 working days to contribute to the above mentioned activities. Expert fee varies depending on Researcher(s)’ seniority/experience

Application process and deadline

Please send a CV, a motivation letter and a maximum of two relevant written samples to Melissa.Sonnino@ceji.org by 5 June 2023.