Critical analysis opportunity – Cultural programming and belonging

We are looking to appoint a professional evaluator with experience of critical analysis of cultural programming within large institutions to evaluate Campus Live, the University of Leeds’ longest and most varied cultural festival. 

Campus Live was a vibrant, engaging and welcoming programme of broadly cultural activities that took place on the University of Leeds campus from October to December 2022. Created as a way to help staff and students feel connected with campus after the pandemic, it was a visual celebration of our student and staff community, showcasing talent and building a collective sense of belonging, interest and pride for our campus community.

The programme of scheduled events included activities proposed and delivered by students and staff, and also by commissioned artists. Designed to have a pop-up feel, Campus Live enabled our staff and students to connect with and experience campus in an engaged and curious way. The University is keen to build on and use Campus Live as a way to explore an embedded approach to future cultural programming.

What we want

We’re looking for an evidence base to understand the impact of Campus Live activity as a way of supporting a feeling of belonging through centrally supported collaborative programming. This should consider:

  • Awareness of programme
  • Ease of access and engagement
  • Satisfaction with activities
  • Variety of programme
  • Effect on engagement with campus/university
  • Value for money

We would like this to result in recommendations of how Campus Live (or a similar programme) could be more impactful, taking into account its strategic alignment, curation, programming and delivery, including how the built environment can facilitate this.

Methodology

We suggest, as well as desk-based research including the sources previously mentioned, fieldwork in the form of interviews and roundtable/workshop discussions engaging stakeholders. (Costs to be funded from budget.)

Sources of data will include:

  • Feedback from audience members and performers (we will provide data)
  • Feedback from Campus Live team and key stakeholders (we will facilitate)
  • Analysis of use of physical space
  • Communications analytics (we will provide data)
  • Budget breakdown (we will provide data)

Outputs and project management

We need a concise document that can be used as a whole or as component sections that the Campus Live team can tailor to the interests of stakeholder groups.

There is a separate analysis of operational aspects of the programme that is outside of the scope of this brief, but which can be made available.

The final report must be submitted by 30 April 2023. We will agree milestones at the contracting stage, but anticipate regular contact throughout the work.

Remittance

A fee in the region of £5,000 is available for the work.

Application

To express interest in this opportunity, please email Erica Ramsay at e.ramsay@leeds.ac.uk by 11.59pm on 16 January 2023 with:

  • a short CV (2 sides A4 maximum), highlighting relevant experience
  • no more than 500 words on how you would approach this brief
  • an indicative timescale and time allocation (not included in the word count).

More information about Campus Live

Read the news story: Celebrating our community with Campus Live

Watch our wrap-up video to catch just some of the highlights of Campus Live: