Scottish Consortium of University Research Libraries (SCURL)
Published: 28 September 2026
Investigating models of advocacy for collaborative service development in university and research libraries
Host organisation: Scottish Consortium of University Research Libraries (SCURL)
Project title: Investigating models of advocacy for collaborative service development in university and research libraries
Project description
This project will conduct research to support the Scottish Consortium of University Research Libraries (SCURL) to identify examples of best practice in co-ordinating collaborative action in the information professions. It will survey the Galleries, Libraries. Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector worldwide to inform the work of the SCURL Advocacy Working Group as they seek to strengthen the visibility, influence and impact of Scotland’s university and research libraries.
SCURL is a membership organisation that supports the development and improvement of university and research library services across Scotland. Its work is centred on three main themes: coordination, collaboration, and advocacy. Further information is available on the SCURL website https://www.scurl.ac.uk/about-home.
Working with the SCURL Advocacy Working Group, the researcher is expected to undertake a range of these activities:
- undertake a focused review of relevant advocacy models and examples of good practice;
- identify a small number of useful case studies from Scotland, the UK and selected international contexts;
- review how comparable organisations develop evidence, shared messages and stakeholder relationships;
- conduct interviews or structured conversations with selected library and cultural-sector professionals, where appropriate;
- analyse the findings and identify approaches that could be adapted for SCURL;
- provide interim findings to the Advocacy Working Group; and
- produce practical recommendations to inform SCURL’s developing Advocacy Strategy.
Outputs
The main output of this project will be a written report to the SCURL Advocacy Working Group. (See Key Relationships for information on the membership and terms of reference.)
During the internship, the researcher will:
- Agree terms of reference and a research plan in agreement with the host within the first week of the internship. The Working Group is in the early stages of developing a new Advocacy Strategy and the exact outputs will depend on the timing of this internship.
- Present an interim report structure and indicator of findings the mid-way point of the internship.
- Produce final report and summary and present findings to SCURL Business Committee.
- Have an option to author or co-author articles for Library sector journals is possible.
In person/remote/hybrid
Primarily remote.
In-person meetings might take place where this was thought mutually beneficial. The SCURL Advocacy Group holds its meetings online.
Benefits to the researcher
The researcher will gain practical experience and have the opportunity to influence the action of the Library sector at a critical point in the sector’s development. A Royal Society of Edinburgh panel discussion in 2024 concluded that while Scottish libraries remain vital institutions for literacy, learning, digital inclusion, social connection and democracy, they also face a central challenge of being asked to do more while operating under sustained financial pressure. The conclusion was that without greater investment and long-term support, there is a risk that libraries' ability to deliver these social benefits will be weakened. University and research libraries play an important but sometimes underacknowledged role as a bridge between the academic community and the wider library sector and its users.
The researcher will spend time embedded within the Library sector and develop relationships with the members of the Advocacy Group.
Key relationships
The researcher will have a named supervisor within SCURL and will meet with them regularly throughout the internship. They will also engage with members of the Advocacy Working Group and receive introductions to relevant contacts across SCURL’s member institutions and the wider library sector. The host will support access to relevant documents, networks and professional expertise and will provide timely feedback on interim and final outputs. The researcher will have a named supervisor within SCURL and will meet with them regularly throughout the internship. They will also engage with members of the Advocacy Working Group and receive introductions to relevant contacts across SCURL’s member institutions and the wider library sector. The host will support access to relevant documents, networks and professional expertise and will provide timely feedback on interim and final outputs.
The researcher will work closely with the SCURL Advocacy Working Group which is chaired by Alana Ward, Head of Libraries and Communities at Glasgow Life. The other members come from the Libraries of the University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland and the University of Dundee.
The Advocacy Group reports to the SCURL Business Committee which has a broad membership from across the University and Research Library sector.
Subject areas
This opportunity would be relevant to all arts & humanities subject areas.
Person specification
A1. Knowledge Base
- Essential: Research methods – theoretical knowledge; Information Seeking; Information literacy and management; Academic literacy and numeracy.
- Desirable: Subject knowledge; Research methods – Practical application; Languages.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
- Essential: Critical thinking; Evaluating; Analysing; Synthesising.
- Desirable: Problem Solving.
A3. Creativity
- Essential: Inquiring minds; Argument construction.
- Desirable: Intellectual insight; Innovation; Intellectual risk.
B1. Personal qualities
- Essential: Enthusiasm; Integrity; Responsibility.
- Desirable: Perseverance; Self-confidence; Self-reflection.
B2. Self management
- Essential: Preparation and prioritisation; Commitment to research; Time management.
- Desirable: Responsiveness to change.
B3. Professional & career development
- Essential: Networking.
- Desirable: Continuing professional development; Responsiveness to opportunities; Reputation and esteem.
C1. Professional conduct
- Essential: Respect and confidentiality; Attribution and co-authorship; Appropriate practice.
- Desirable: Health and Safety; Ethics, principles and sustainability; Legal requirements; IPR and copyright.
C2. Research management
- Desirable: Research Strategy; Project planning and delivery; Risk management.
C3. Finance, funding & resources
- Essential: Infrastructure and resources.
D1. Working with others
- Essential: Collegiality; Team working; Collaboration; Equality and diversity.
- Desirable: Influence and leadership.
D2. Communication & dissemination
- Essential: Communication methods.
- Desirable: Communication media; Publication.
D3. Engagement & impact
- Desirable: Public Engagement; Enterprise; Policy; Society and culture; Global citizenship.
First published: 28 September 2026