The Data Stories project is seeking three artists and creative writers of established reputation to work on the project for a 12 month period.

All three positions run from August 2023 – July 2024, with duties expected to average 3 days a week working on two case studies, each running for six months. We have a broad view of what constitutes an artist or creative writer and will consider applications from the full spectrum of artists, including performance and installation artists and digital and media artists, craft workers, novelists, short story writers, playwrights, poets, cartoonists, essayists, and film and documentary makers.

The work associated with the positions is:

• To work on two of the assigned Data Stories case studies (scheduled for 6 months each).
• To aid the research team to produce a data story relating to planning and property in Dublin.
• To produce at least one data story for each case study through the artist/writer’s own creative practice, drawing on the case study research findings and planning and property data relating to Dublin.
• To produce at least one data story for each case study in collaboration with a sector stakeholder using a research creation workshop approach. This will involve several meetings with the stakeholder and researchers and running at least two workshops per case study.
• To help with the artistic direction in public exhibitions of the produced data stories.
• To document their creative practice on the project work, take part in interviews with the research team about the process of producing data stories, and discuss their experiences and viewpoints at public events relating to the project.

A contract-for-services fee of €32,000 inclusive of expenses is offered for the 12 month period, with €16,000 payable for each case study. Ireland-located candidates will be self-employed persons for tax purposes in Ireland and will be solely responsible for all income tax, PRSI and other such payments due in respect of the remuneration paid. Candidates located overseas will be responsible for all tax matters in their own jurisdiction. All suppliers to Irish public sector bodies must obtain Revenue tax clearance.  All Payment of fees will comply with the University Finance rules.

Payment of fees will comply with the University Finance rules.

For an overview of the Data Stories project see here

The post booklet is available here.

For information on a research-creation approach see Kitchin, R. (2023) Arts-based methods for researching digital life. Data Stories Working Paper 1. https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/16870/ (or download PDF direct)

Who may apply:

To be eligible to apply, applicants must have:

• An established track record of artistic or writing practice, including public exhibitions and published work.
• A commitment to using creative practice to explore social, political and technical issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to be an active workshop facilitator.
• Experience of working collaboratively on creative practices with community members or professional stakeholders.
• Good project management skills, including an ability to seed, develop and organise work research-creation workshops, manage workloads and timetables, and meet deadlines.
• Good communication skills and ability to present and discuss their creative practice with the public.
• Ability to work autonomously and responsibly to meet project goals.

Highly Desirable:

• Experience of employing a research-creation approach and producing data stories.
• Experience of reflecting on housing, planning, property issues.
• Experience of handling and working with planning, property or spatial data more broadly.

Application Procedure

Please note all applications must be made via the MU Online Recruitment Portal at the following link: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/human-resources/vacancies

To make an application, artists/writers should provide, within a single document the following information

• A cover letter explaining: your key achievements to date; why you would like to be considered for the role; your facilitation experiences; and indicative ideas of what you would like to work on (no more than 3 pages).
• A CV and portfolio of previous works (no more than 15 pages).
• If you encounter a difficulty with the upload please contact recruitment@mu.ie

The Vacancy ID is 019441.

Key Dates

• Closing Date: 23.30hrs (local Irish time) on Monday 13th February 2023
• It is expected that interviews will be held in late February/early March 2023.

Further Information

We will hold an information session on the project and posts where prospective applicants can find out more about the expected work and can ask questions. If you have a specific question email it in advance to rob.kitchin@mu.ie and we will make sure to address in the information session; or post information session send additional queries to the same email address.

Thurs 19^th January 11.00am-12.00am (Irish time): On Teams. Click here to join the meeting

The session will be recorded and then shared below, along with terms and conditions of the awards and answers to FAQ. https://datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie/?p=86

For the the slides from the information session click here.

Data Stories Artist Briefing.

Data Stories Artist Q&A.

Terms and conditions

The posts are expected to average 3 days a week of work to undertake the prescribed work. A plan of action and deliverables will be agreed with the project director at the start of each case study and the work will be assessed after 3 months and at the case study close to monitor progress and to evaluate the process, the success of endeavour, and lessons learned. Progress to the second case study will be dependent on successful delivery of the first case study.

Delivery of each case study (six months) has a payment of €16,000 (total €32,000 for two case studies), including expenses (e.g., materials, equipment, consumables, travel). The payment of the fee for each case study will be a third payable on commencement, a third payable half-way through, and a third payable on completion.

The artists and writers will need to interact regularly in person with the research team and with the stakeholders. They do not need to live in Dublin, but must be prepared to visit regularly during the case study fieldwork and to facilitate the workshops.

The project will provide some support for the work undertaken in terms of helping with accessing data and the use of specialist equipment already owned by the project. The organisation costs for the research-creation workshops (e.g., room hire, catering) will be provided by the project. The project will also procure exhibition space for the works produced and help defray publication costs where possible.

The artists and writers will maintain the intellectual and creative rights to the works produced through the commission. Maynooth University and the project will have the right to publish about the commissioned work and the process of working with the artists and writers, to display images of the commissioned work in publications, and to exhibit the works in public exhibitions. In addition, the artists and writers must comply with Article 16 (intellectual property rights) of the EU Annotated Model Grant Agreement (https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/aga_en.pdf).

Display and publication of the produced works must acknowledge the project funding, including the logos of Maynooth University, the Data Stories project, and the European Research Council and European Union.

The University has the right to terminate the contract due to poor or non-delivery of the case study work.

Selection and Appointment

The applications will be assessed and shortlisted by a panel chosen by the University. Shortlisted applicants will then by invited to interview by the panel.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview;
• Candidates invited for interview may be asked to provide an expanded portfolio of examples of previous work and will be required to make a brief presentation;
• Appointments will be approved by the Vice-President for Research or President based on the report of the selection board;

Equality and Diversity

Maynooth University values the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seeks to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual. To learn more about our commitment to Equality and Diversity, please read the Maynooth University Equality and Diversity Policy. Additionally, as an Athena SWAN Bronze Award Institute, we are committed to advancing gender equality across the University.

We aim to reflect the diversity of the community we serve and welcome applications from all individuals.

Data Protection Law

Maynooth University will process any personal data provided by you in connection with an application for this role in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Acts 2018. If your application is successful and you accept the commission for Maynooth University, then your personal data will continue to be processed in accordance with Maynooth University’s Data Protection provisions. Both the privacy notices and further information relating to data protection, including Maynooth University’s other data protection policies and processes, can be viewed at https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/data-protection