Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities

Host organisation: Glasgow Zine Library

Project title: Programme Coordinator for a Series of BIPOC Arts Events at the Glasgow Zine Library

Project description

Glasgow Zine Library is seeking an enthusiastic intern to coordinate the development and delivery of a community-centred programme of four BIPOC arts and cultural events. Working closely with the programming team, the intern will shape the full lifecycle of the programme, from initial research and concept development through to event delivery and evaluation.

The internship responds to a gap in GZL’s programme and is aimed to strengthen BIPOC representation within programming processes. The successful applicant will therefore play a key role in shaping a programme that is guided by and created in collaboration with members of the communities it serves.

Internship Activities:

During the initial phase of the internship, the research intern will shadow GZL staff to gain an understanding of our approach to community programming and event planning. Alongside this, they will undertake research within the community to identify potential facilitators, assess community interests and needs, and explore relevant themes and formats for the programme.

Building on this research, the research intern will work with staff and community collaborators to develop a month-long programme comprising four events. Responsibilities will include:

  • Programme design and event planning in collaboration with GZL’s Programming team
  • Researching and liaising with potential facilitators, artists, and contributors
  • Presenting the proposed programme for the GZL team in one of the bi-weekly team meetings
  • Developing promotional materials and outreach strategies to relevant BIPOC audiences together with GZL’s Social Media manager
  • Coordinating event logistics and delivery

The internship will culminate in a structured evaluation phase to reflect on outcomes, participant experiences, and future programming opportunities.

Outputs

The research intern will be expected to achieve the following outputs over the course of the internship:

    1. A programme of four BIPOC arts events, developed through community-informed research and in collaboration with GZL staff and facilitators.
    2. A presentation summarising the research period (including community needs assessment, proposed programme, and rationale for event selection) to be presented and discussed at one of the bi-weekly Glasgow Zine Library team meetings.
    3. With the event facilitators, developing promotional copy for the programme to be shared on GZL’s social media and website listings, alongside copy for specific outreach channels.
    4. A short evaluation report reflecting on the planning and delivery of the programme, participant engagement, learning outcomes, and recommendations for future BIPOC-led programming at Glasgow Zine Library.

In person/remote/hybrid

The programme events will take place in-person in GZL’s southside space. The research intern will be able to consider opening up registration for any of the events for online participation as well.

GZL’s staff work pattern is hybrid and some of the work can be done remotely. However, the research intern should be able to hold meetings with the Programme Manager and community actors in person if needed.

The research intern will be asked to attend in-person GZL events while shadowing in order to learn how they are run.

Benefits to the researcher

The internship will provide the researcher with hands-on experience of developing a programme of events from initial concept through to delivery and evaluation, increasing their future employability in the sector. Working closely with our team, the intern will gain practical skills in arts programming, community-engaged research, event coordination, marketing and communications, and impact evaluation.

The placement will offer experience of inclusive and participatory approaches to cultural production, including working collaboratively with BIPOC communities, artists, and facilitators. The researcher will develop their understanding of how cultural organisations can create equitable, inclusive, community-led activities.

The internship will provide the opportunity to apply academic research skills in a work-place setting, to develop project management experience and professional networks, and to build confidence in leading community-focused cultural initiatives.

Key relationships

During the internship, the researcher will engage with a range of professionals, community members, and audiences.

Within GZL, they will work closely with the Programme Manager throughout the planning, delivery, and evaluation of the programme, and with the Social Media Manager on promotion and public engagement. They will gain insight into the work of arts charities through engagement with the organisation's bi-weekly team meetings.

Externally, the researcher will work with BIPOC community members as part of the research and needs assessment process. They will then collaborate with artists, creative practitioners, and workshop facilitators.

Through the delivery of the programme, the researcher will engage directly with event participants and audiences.

Subject areas

This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:

Creative Arts and Design; Cultural and Museum Studies; Cultural History; Political History; Media, Comms, Film & TV; Literatures.

Person specification

A1. Knowledge Base
  • Desirable: Subject Knowledge; Research methods – Practical application.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
  • Desirable: Analysing; Synthesising; Critical thinking; Problem Solving; Evaluating.
A3. Creativity
  • Desirable: Inquiring minds; Intellectual insight; Innovation; Argument construction.
B1. Personal qualities
  • Desirable: Perseverance; Self-confidence; Enthusiasm; Integrity; Responsibility.
B2. Self management
  • Desirable: Preparation and prioritisation; Commitment to research; Time management; Responsiveness to change.
B3. Professional & career development
  • Desirable: Responsiveness to opportunities.
C1. Professional conduct
  • Desirable: Health and Safety; Ethics, principles and sustainability; Respect and confidentiality; Appropriate practice.
C2. Research management
  • Essential: Project planning and delivery.
D1. Working with others
  • Desirable: Team working; Collaboration; Equality and diversity.
D2. Communication & dissemination
  • Desirable: Communication methods; Communication media.

First published: 28 September 2026

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