Applications Now Open: EDI Associate Director (0.2FTE, Secondment, 2-Year Term)
Published: 12 February 2026
The Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH) is seeking to second an academic or professional services colleague from one of its 17 Higher Education Institution (HEI) members to the role of EDI Associate Director (0.2 FTE) for a two-year fixed term from May 2026 to April 2028.
Context
The Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH) seeks to second an academic or professional services colleague to the role of EDI Associate Director (0.2 FTE) from one of its 17 member HEIs (see full list below), for the period April 2026 – March 2028.
SGSAH is the world’s first national graduate school for the Arts and Humanities. At the heart of our organisation is a commitment to collaboration across and beyond the HEI sector for the benefit of doctoral researchers. Our national coordination role enables SGSAH to act as a visible and informed advocate for the value of arts and humanities research and for the diverse skills, backgrounds and experiences of doctoral researchers. SGSAH both advocates and actively attempts to enrich diversity in our sector.
Since April 2023, SGSAH’s EDI Associate Director has had a demonstrable impact on the inclusivity of SGSAH’s activities, culture and partnerships. Building on this success, SGSAH is committed to retaining the role at 0.2 FTE to coordinate a focused programme of EDI activity aligned with AHRC priorities.
Eligibility
To be considered for the role of EDI Associate Director, applicants must:
- Be able to commit 0.2 FTE to the role.
- Hold an academic, or professional services, appointment at one of SGSAH’s 17 member HEIs (Aberdeen, Abertay, Dundee, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier, Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian, Glasgow School of Art, Heriot-Watt, Queen Margaret, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Robert Gordon University, St Andrews, Stirling, Strathclyde, UHI, University of the West of Scotland). This role invites applicants from early career to mid-career researchers and professional services staff.
Role
The EDI Associate Director will be line managed by the SGSAH Director and will report to the SGSAH Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC).
The role provides strategic leadership, coordination and evaluation of SGSAH’s EDI activity, working closely with SGSAH staff, partner organisations, supervisors, doctoral researchers, and sector stakeholders. Given the 0.2 FTE allocation, the post prioritises network-building, support for current doctoral researchers and evidence-based enhancement of practice. It is expected that the successful candidate will work closely with the SGSAH Director and Team to devise and lead on aspects of EDI delivery which are deemed to be most urgent and needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
The EDI Associate Director will cover the following areas:
- Strategic Leadership and Evaluation
- Networks and Community Building
- Pipeline and Pre-Doctoral Activity
- Mentoring and Support Schemes
- Supervisor and Professional Services Engagement
- Partnership Working and Advocacy
Experience
Essential
- Strong understanding of UK equality legislation and current EDI best practice within higher education.
- A track record of relevant EDI-related experience appropriate to the applicant’s career stage and role.
- Experience of building relationships with diverse stakeholders and working collaboratively across institutions.
- Evidence of evaluation, monitoring or impact assessment in an EDI or educational context.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong facilitation and training skills
Effective projecy and time-management skills
Essential
- Highly developed interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Ability to work flexibly, use initiative and respond to evolving priorities
- Capacity to work constructively across organisational levels and disciplines
- Ability to work strategically and independently within a limited time allocation
Remuneration
This post is a secondment. The EDI Associate Director’s employing HEI will receive £10,000 per annum towards backfill / teaching costs. Reasonable travel costs related to SGSAH activity will be met by SGSAH.
Terms
The appointment will be 2-year fixed-term from May 2026 to April 2028, subject to an initial probationary period of six months. There may be some flexibility in the start date, depending on successful candidate’s availability
Location
The role will be undertaken in-person and remotely, with access to a hot desk at SGSAH’s offices at 4 Lilybank Gardens, University of Glasgow. Formal meetings with the Director are expected to take place fortnightly (often online), with quarterly meetings of the EDI Committee. Attendance at SGSAH team meetings and events across Scotland may be required.
Application Process
Applicants should submit the following to applications@sgsah.ac.uk by 9th March 2026
- A covering letter outlining interest in the role, relevant experience, and how the applicant meets the essential criteria (maximum 2 pages). Applicants must confirm line manager support for the secondment in writing.
- A brief CV highlighting relevant experience (maximum 2 pages).
- Contact details for two referees, one of whom must be the applicant’s line manager.
The University of Glasgow is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to providing adjustments. Please contact us to request any reasonable adjustments that you may require.
The interview panel will consist of Prof Maria Fusco (SGSAH Director), Monica Callaghan (SGSAH Head of Operations and Strategy), and a representative from the Wellcome funded In Frame Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) programme.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview between 2-5pm on 31st March 2026.
The Director, Professor Maria Fusco, is available for informal discussion about the role. (director@sgsah.ac.uk).
First published: 12 February 2026
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