Focus: Peer research, understanding the experience of young creatives in London
Fee: £14.80 per hour for approximately 38 hours
Timescale: 3 days training (paid) in June/July 2026, then supported research in July, August and September and 1.5 days project conclusion in September or October 2026.
Deadline: Monday 11th May at 5.00pm
We’re looking for up to five curious and motivated individuals aged 18-30 to co-develop and co-deliver a research project over spring and summer 2026 exploring the context for young creatives in London.
We’d love to hear from you if you are interested to develop your research skills and work on a new piece of research with us.
About A New Direction
A New Direction is an award-winning charity generating opportunities for children and young people to develop their creativity.
We do this by working with a diverse range of partners, making connections, sharing practice, influencing change, improving the ecology that surrounds children and young people, and providing real and transformative opportunities - from childhood through school years and into employment.
Our values are:
- Equity
- Connectivity
- Trust and Respect
- Creative Culture
- Kindness
Our values are the DNA of our organisation. They run through everything we do – determining our activity, guiding the way we work and behave, and influencing decision-making at every level.
Find out more about what we do and our impact.
About our Impact and Insights work
A New Direction is committed to learning about and from our work and context. Our Impact and Insights work, of which this project is part supports reflective processes and evaluation as well as the research and some consultation we undertake. Findings inform future projects and planning, and contribute to reporting to our board, investors and stakeholders. We also share outcomes from research we’ve undertaken with our networks and partners.
About the Role
We’re seeking up to five Peer Researchers (aged 18-30) to co-develop and co-lead a new research project with us between June and October 2026.
A New Direction is keen to understand the context in London for Young Creatives to help us design programmes that can best support young people as they move through the first part of their adult lives, and, if they wish, into creative work.
London is a dynamic city, home to nearly a third of all UK creative industries jobs. However we know that factors including the high cost of living and housing, insecure work, changes to the nature of work and rapidly developing technologies make it a complex context for young people moving into employment.
The Young Creatives research project, will explore this in more detail to understand the experience of young creatives in the city today. As a peer researcher, you will speak to other young people and adults aged 18-30 in London about the opportunities and challenges they face. Findings will primarily be used to inform A New Direction’s future programming.
Peer researchers will receive training in research skills and processes delivered by experienced researchers from The Young Foundation, and gain research experience. This will include an introduction to peer research, training in establishing research questions and methods, and conducting fieldwork and analysis. Alongside training, peer researchers will work with us to develop and deliver the research project, gaining research experience.
Project schedule
We've shared below an indicative timeline for the work. Specific dates and times for meetings will be arranged in consultation with Peer Researchers.
- June/July - 3 days’ training/group work. It’s anticipated this will be a mixture of evenings and weekends. A maximum of 1 day would be in person in London.
- July-September – fieldwork takes place. Independent working with supportive group meetings and one to one check ins with the project team.
- September/October – data analysis, sharing findings and project wrap-up. Up to 1.5 days’ either in person or online to explore findings and reflect on the project.
Budget / Fee
£14.80 per hour (anticipated 38 hours over the project).
Who we are looking for
No previous research experience is needed for this role, but we are looking for individuals with the following:
- Aged 18-30 and living in London over time of the research project
- Curiosity and an interest in the research subject described above
- An interest in creativity, creative practice or arts and cultural opportunities. You might have experience working in the creative industries or cultural sector, though this isn’t a requirement.
- An interest in developing research skills and experience
- The ability to commit to the whole research process (June to October 2026)
- Comfortable talking to young people and adults in one to one and group settings
- Enthusiasm to work collaboratively in a co-design environment as well as to progress tasks independently
- A commitment to A New Direction’s values and upholding these through your work
- Eligible to work in the UK
How to apply
To express your interest in joining the project as a peer researcher, please complete our expression of interest form here:
Application Deadline: Monday 11th May at 5.00pm
Selection Process:
Applications will be reviewed following the deadline and five or more applicants will be invited to attend an online interview to meet some of the team they’ll be working with. We anticipate this will be on Thursday 21st May, or in the week of 25th May.
Access
It is important to us that there are no barriers to anyone applying for opportunities at A New Direction. Please let us know if you have any access requirements by contacting info@anewdirection.org.uk.
If there is any additional support, we could offer to enable you to participate in either the selection process or potentially working with the A New Direction, please include this in your application.
Questions or Further Information
If you have questions about this role or need support with the application process, please email corinne.bass@anewdirection.org.uk to arrange a time.
