Host organisation: Migrant Women Press CIC
Project title: Migrant Women Press Social Impact Measure/Theory of Change
Project description

We are a migrant women–led independent media organisation that centres the voices, experiences, and perspectives of migrant and racialised women. We want to strengthen our strategy and impact by developing a Theory of Change (ToC) that captures our vision, values, and pathways for change.

The PhD student will play a key role in facilitating this process. The PhD intern will work closely with our team to design and document the Theory of Change that will guide MWP’s strategy and future growth. Their role will involve:

  • Exploring the “why” of MWP: Articulating the organisation’s purpose and the broader change we aim to create.
  • Clarifying values and philosophy: Mapping out the principles that shape our media practice, independence, and collective organising.
  • Capturing motivations: Documenting the lived experiences and reasons that drive our members and collaborators to be part of MWP.
  • Defining the problem/need: Analysing the structural issues of misrepresentation, silencing, and racism in mainstream media that MWP addresses.
  • Visioning possibilities: Facilitating conversations about the organisation’s long-term direction, opportunities for growth, and potential impact.
  • Identifying outcomes: Developing a clear framework of short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes — from amplifying migrant women’s voices to influencing media narratives and policy.
  • Drafting a Theory of Change framework: Synthesising inputs, activities, outcomes, and impact into a visual and written model to guide strategic planning and fundraising.
Outputs
  • A co-created Theory of Change document (clear narrative plus visual diagram).
  • A summary report highlighting key findings on the challenges and opportunities facing migrant and racialised women in media to be added to our annual report.
  • Recommendations for organisational strategy based on the Theory of Change.
Location

This intership will be mainly remote, but some activities can take place in person. To be discussed.

Benefits to the researcher

The intern will benefit from the placement by gaining hands-on experience in applying academic research to a real-world organisational context. They will strengthen their skills in participatory and collaborative methods, working directly with a grassroots, migrant women–led initiative. The project will deepen their understanding of the intersections between media, migration, race, and gender, while also giving them practical experience in strategic planning, facilitation, and organisational development.

Through co-developing the Theory of Change, the researcher will learn how to translate complex research into actionable frameworks, a highly transferable skill for both academic and non-academic careers. They will also develop experience in communicating impact to diverse audiences, from community members to funders and policymakers.

The placement will expand their professional networks, connecting them with media, activists, practitioners, and researchers in the fields of migration, racial justice, and independent media. Overall, the project will enhance their academic profile while also preparing them for future roles across academia, NGOs, policy, and community-based organisations.

Key relationships

During the internship, the researcher will work with a wide range of professionals, audiences, and publics that reflect both the grassroots and professional dimensions of our work. This includes:

  • MWP core team and members – migrant and racialised women leading the organisation and shaping its vision.
  • Community contributors and storytellers – migrant women who create and share content through our platform.
  • Partner organisations and networks – grassroots groups, feminist and anti-racist organisations, and migrant justice movements.
  • Media practitioners – independent journalists and media organisations, editors, and creatives collaborating with MWP on content and campaigns.
  • Funders and partners – stakeholders who support or may support MWP’s sustainability and growth
  • Wider publics and audiences – the communities and broader public who engage with MWP’s media outputs.

Through these relationships, the researcher will gain exposure to community-based organising, collaborative media practices, and the realities of building independent platforms for marginalised voices.

Timescale

Flexible

Subject areas

This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:

Cultural Studies and Pop Culture; Post-Colonial Studies; Human Rights; Media and Communication Studies; Journalism; New Media/Web-Based Studies; Colonial and Post-Colonial Studies.

Person specification

A1. Knowledge Base
  • Essential:Subject Knowledge; Research methods – theoretical knowledge; Research methods – Practical application.
  • Desirable: Information seeking; Information literacy and management; Languages; Academic literacy and numeracy.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
  • Essential: Analysing; Synthesising;Critical thinking; Evaluating; Problem Solving.
A3. Creativity
  • Essential: Innovation.
  • Desirable: Inquiring minds; Intellectual insight; Argument construction; Intellectual risk.
B1. Personal qualities
  • Essential: Enthusiasm; Perseverance; Integrity; Responsibility.
  • Desirable: Self-confidence; Self-reflection.
B2. Self management
  • Essential: Commitment to research; Time management; Work-life balance.
  • Desirable: Preparation and prioritisation; Responsiveness to change.
B3. Professional & career development
  • Desirable: Career management; Continuing professional development; Responsiveness to opportunities; Networking; Reputation and esteem.
C1. Professional conduct
  • Essential: Health and Safety; Ethics, principles and sustainability; IPR and copyright; Respect and confidentiality; Attribution and co-authorship.
  • Desirable: Legal requirements; Appropriate practice.
C2. Research management
  • Essential: Research Strategy; Project planning and delivery; Risk management.
C3. Finance, funding & resources
  • Desirable: Income and funding generation; Financial management; Infrastructure and resources.
D1. Working with others
  • Essential: Team working; Collaboration; Equality and diversity.
  • Desirable: Collegiality; People management; Supervision; Mentoring; Influence and leadership.
D2. Communication & dissemination
  • Desirable: Communication methods; Communication media; Publication.
D3. Engagement & impact
  • Desirable: Teaching; Public engagement; Enterprise; Policy; Society and culture; Global citizenship.

First published: 9 October 2025

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