Senior Policy Adviser

18-month fixed-term contract

The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Senior Policy Adviser to join our Public Policy Team. The role is crucial for the development and delivery of evidence-driven British Academy policy programmes in the area of environmental policy and sustainability, using SHAPE research to impact policy outcomes that support the Academy’s and the Policy Directorate’s strategy.

The role

The British Academy’s public policy programmes explore domestic policy challenges that SHAPE research (Social sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy/Environment) can help policymakers to understand, reframe and find solutions to. We work closely with our Fellows, who are some of the world’s leading experts, alongside a diverse community of academics, experts, practitioners and importantly, policymakers. Our approach is focused on drawing together insights from SHAPE research and convening key figures to understand how these can be applied to policymaking. This gives us opportunities to bring fresh thinking to the most challenging issues, reframe debates, and develop new evidence-based solutions.

The Senior Policy Adviser will lead the delivery of evidence-driven Sustainable Futures policy programmes, with an opportunity at the outset to define the scope and strategy of these programmes. The role needs someone with understanding and knowledge of climate, nature and environmental policy from academia, policy or practice. It also needs someone comfortable bringing insights and analysis together and making new connections across policy themes to approach problems from a fresh perspective.

This is a varied role that requires someone ambitious to engage with a wide variety of contributors to bring together the insights from our evidence-base. You will have the ability to plan and deliver different types of activity: convening stakeholders, managing researchers, and collaborating with counterparts in academia and government. You will be proactive and always looking for opportunities, using effective communication and developing or strengthening crucial relationships to extend the reach of your programme. You will often work independently but won’t be on your own – we are a collaborative, supportive and friendly team of 12, working on the basis of mutual trust and responsibility, all working on different but connected areas, striving together to achieve our goals.

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 1700 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. Find out more about the British Academy, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.

Terms and conditions

The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1 – a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.

How to apply

We use Applied for our recruitment. Applied aims to overcome unconscious bias in recruiting. Instead of using CVs, candidates are asked to answer questions that test skills needed for the role. The responses are then anonymised and reviewed in a random order by members of the hiring panel.

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.

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

Please click Apply to apply on the Applied recruitment platform.

Applications must be received no later than 12:00 noon on 31 October 2025.