Professor in Social Policy

Overview

Professor (Scale 2) in Social Policy

Permanent Whole-time Post

UCC wishes to appoint an academic to the role of Professor in Social Policy.  Reporting to the Head of School, the post-holder will provide leadership in research and research-led teaching within Social Policy and the wider School of Applied Social Studies. The post holder will engage in internationally impactful research through generating research income, supervising doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, high-quality publication and wider dissemination activities.

As a leadership post, they will build research capacity across the School particularly participation in European funding initiatives. They will promote excellence in research-led learning and teaching in campus-based, blended and online settings in line with the principles of Universal Design for Learning. They will contribute to the promotion of Social Policy within and beyond the university and advance Social Policy innovation in Irish society and internationally.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process. For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/. The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Eleanor Bantry White, Tel: +353 (0)21 4902271, Email: e.bantrywhite@ucc.ie 

This position is being filled as part of UCC Futures - Collective Social Futures.

What is UCC Futures – Collective Social Futures

UCC Futures - Collective Social Futures is re-imagining and addressing the complex and intertwined societal, environmental and political challenges faced across the world. These include social and gender-based inequalities, geopolitical shifts, migration, health and climate change and the urgent need to foster a more caring and liveable world for all. The imperative to develop more collective and social visions of the future is more pressing than ever. By driving innovative, critical, theoretical, participatory and community-engaged research, UCC Futures – Collective Social Futures will foster excellence in social research to understand, re-envision and enact our collective social futures.

Duties of the post

In accordance with the University’s strategic objective as a research-led institution, the duties of all academic staff will include research, research-led teaching and contributions to the University, the discipline and the community. The academic staff member shall teach and examine, undertake administrative duties and carry out other duties appropriate to the post under the general direction of the Head of the School of Applied Social Studies.

The roles and responsibilities outlined below are to be interpreted in the context of the relevant statutes and where there is any difference arising from interpretation, statutory provisions will take precedent. For the sake of clarity, the relevant elements of the statutes not already incorporated in the numbered sections are appended in italics under each subheading.

In the appointment process for all leadership positions (including Head of Department), a requirement of appointment will be demonstrable experience of leadership in advancing gender equality. This will be included as a specific criterion in role descriptions.

Leadership | Research | Teaching & Examining | Contributions

Leadership

• Demonstrate clear vision and strategy to advance the development of Social Policy through teaching, research and scholarship;
• Mentor, support and advise junior staff as appropriate and assist in their academic career development in research and teaching;
• Advance the strategic development of the School across all subject areas in line with the university’s strategic priorities.

Research

• Engage in high quality and productive research and scholarship of international standing, contribute to the advancement of knowledge within the discipline of Social Policy and publish their research in appropriate peer-reviewed publications, creative works or other forms of scholarship appropriate to the discipline;
• Carry out and lead initiatives in generating research income, in particular at EU level, and assist in the co-ordination of research funding activities within the School, as appropriate to the discipline;
• Recruit and supervise students undertaking research projects (especially at PhD level);
• Engage in other scholarly activities relevant both to the discipline and the senior level of the post;
• Engage in research activity that informs policy debate and development regionally, nationally and internationally.

Teaching & Examining

• Promote excellence in learning and teaching in the development and application of innovative learning and teaching methodologies within the School of Applied Social Studies and within other academic units in the University, as appropriate;
• Teach and examine on courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level and where appropriate, adult and continuing education courses, and make a significant contribution to teaching at all levels;
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• Contribute to, and take a leadership role where appropriate in the regular evaluation of curricula, and the development of new curricular initiatives including implementation of Universal Design for Learning;
• Perform a significant role in the leadership and development of postgraduate studies at UCC;
• Contribute to the development of and take a leadership role in the application/ use of digital education in programmes across the School;
• Play a significant role in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of the curriculum within their subject areas

• to give the students attending his/her ordinary lectures assistance in their studies, by advice, by informal instruction, by occasional and periodic examination, and otherwise, as s/he may judge to be expedient; also, to make such arrangements as s/he sees fit to make;
• to give instruction to his/her students and assist them in the pursuit of knowledge;
• to hold, or assist at, all University examinations in the subjects with which s/he is an examiner.

Contributions

• Enhance the promotion of the discipline of Social Policy both inside and outside the University and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University and society;
• Serve, if required, as head of one of the College’s academic units, subject to relevant University regulations, statutes and management requirements;
• Actively seek to develop links with professional bodies and external agencies, including public sector and civil society organisations where appropriate;
• Play a significant role in the administrative duties of the discipline and School and act as a member of such committees as may be required within the University;
• Fulfil other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the Head of School;
• Carry out other duties which may arise as identified in the University statutes

• to carry out administrative and other appropriate duties lawfully allocated to them within their department or other academic unit;
• if a member of the Academic Council, to attend its meetings;
• to serve upon all the committees to which they may be appointed by the Governing Body or the Academic Council, and to assist and co-operate with the Governing Body in such other reasonable ways as the Governing Body may prescribe, for the maintenance of discipline and good conduct among the students, or for the general business of the University.

As the university continues to expand and evolve, it is likely that flexibility in regard to the allocation of specific duties will be necessary. Accordingly, the list of duties specified above is not intended to be exclusive or restrictive; duties may be added or withdrawn but any such alteration will take place after consultation with the appointee.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

Qualifications | Leadership | Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions | Other

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

1. A doctorate in Social Policy/ cognate area.

Leadership

Essential Criteria

2. The ability to contribute substantially to the development of Social Policy within the strategic frameworks of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science and the University;
3. Evidence of leadership potential in teaching, research and administration;
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills commensurate with playing a significant role within a team of committed academic and administrative colleagues together with the demonstrated ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment;
5. Capacity for leadership in advancing gender equality and EDI initiatives.

Research

Essential Criteria

6. International standing as a leading researcher and scholar in Social Policy as evidenced through a substantial volume and consistent and continued output of high-quality refereed publications, creative works or other appropriate forms of scholarship and a strong research funding record, particularly at EU level or equivalent, as appropriate to the discipline;
7. Evidence of an international reputation and peer recognition in Social Policy through research and scholarly activity within the discipline, including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing, as appropriate for the discipline.

Desirable Criteria

8. Capacity to pursue grant opportunities and conduct research relating to quantitative analysis of large datasets.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

9. Evidence of high-quality achievement in and commitment to excellence in research-led learning and teaching in Social Policy/ cognate area at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and a willingness to both contribute to and lead in the development of the teaching programmes offered by the academic unit;
10. Evidence of a contribution to innovation in teaching and in curriculum or programme development, review and evaluation; (Essential)
11. The ability to teach, inspire and supervise students, communicate ideas and concepts in a teaching and learning environment in line with Universal Design approaches and where the opportunity has existed, to develop and lead postgraduate supervision to doctorate level;
12. Capacity to contribute to access, equality, diversity and inclusion in education and engagement with teaching and learning methodologies to support diverse cohorts of learners;
13. Proficiency in, and willingness to use modern teaching technologies in online, blended and campus-based settings.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

14. Proven administrative experience and evidence of holding significant positions of responsibility;
15. Evidence of significant participation in relevant academic networks and professional associations/ bodies as appropriate;
16. Ability to participate in, and contribute to, the overall intellectual life of the University, the academic discipline and society at large.
17. Evidence of capacity to engage with government, public sector and civil society organisations in generating and disseminating Social Policy innovations.

Other

Essential Criteria

18. An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
19. Evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
20. A commitment to the long-term development of the discipline of Social Policy.

A requirement of appointment will be demonstrable experience of leadership in advancing equality and a strong commitment to the successful delivery of initiatives which drive improvements in equality, diversity and inclusion in their widest sense.

Candidates are requested to make a personal assessment of these criteria against their own qualifications, skills and abilities to assess whether they should apply for the post.

Please note: Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the criteria as detailed above will not be short listed.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Salary Information

Applications for this post

How to apply

Applications for this post are received through UCC's online application portal. You'll be required to set up a profile (if you don't already have one). 

You can find the posts associated with UCC Futures - Collective Social Futures by selecting 'Academic UCC Futures' in the search by vacancy type field.

Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to uccfuturesrecruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job title.

What to include in your application

Applications should consist of your academic CV and a cover letter demonstrating your academic and research achievements. We would also like to hear about your research ambitions and how your academic and research profile aligns with the UCC Futures - Collective Social Futures initiative.

Details of the following should also be included, as appropriate:

• Publications
• Research Interests
• Teaching Interests and Abilities
• Teaching Objectives and Methods

Who to contact

We encourage all applicants to contact us prior to making an application for the position. 

• Contact: Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Eleanor Bantry White, Tel: +353 (0)21 4902271, Email: e.bantrywhite@ucc.ie 

Deadline for applications

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12pm (Irish Standard Time) on Tuesday, 25 August 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

Equality statement

University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives.