The Economics Network is seeking additional members for its Executive Group. This page has the role descriptions and links to the application form. The deadline for the current found of applications is 5pm, Thursday 17 September 2026.
Role Description: EN Executive Group member
About
The Executive Group is the decision-making body of the Economics Network. It typically devolves decisions to its working groups but collectively retains ultimate responsibility for determining the strategic direction of the Network.
Experience and eligibility
Members of the Executive Group are individuals within the higher education economics community with relevant experience and expertise within the remit of EN’s work. They come from across the UK higher education sector and typically have been involved with the activities of the Network for a significant period. They will be creative and energetic individuals who bring fresh ideas to the Network to enhance its sustainability and reputation. They also help and guide the Network in delivering on its mission to improve teaching and learning and support diversity within economics education. We are actively looking to ensure broad representation from economics departments, reflecting different career paths, levels of seniority and participation from across the Economics HE sector. We welcome applications to the Executive from all backgrounds and encourage applications from under-represented groups in the economics teaching community.
Applicants to join the Executive Group should demonstrate their commitment and impact in economics teaching and learning and alignment with the Network’s mission, commensurate with the opportunities afforded by their career trajectory to date. Successful candidates to Executive automatically become associates of the Network if they are not already associates.
Applications will be assessed according to the contribution applicants can make to the work, reputation and sustainability of the Network, including their skills, and potential to coordinate activities, lead initiatives, work collaboratively and collegially with others. We expect candidates to show experience and impact or the clear potential for impact across the criteria below.
- EN1: Sustainability of the network. Ability to work with existing funders and partners and creative ideas to develop new relationships and opportunities to enhance the reputation, reach and success of the Network
- EN2: Sharing good practice, for example running internal or national training/CPD, coordinating one of our affiliated regional groups, writing case studies for the Economics Network or other websites, presenting at the Developments in Economics Education conference or other conferences.
- EN3: Management and leadership in the discipline, including leadership roles within their own institutions (departments/faculties) or externally (for example with learned societies). We are interested in candidates who can show how their leadership has effected positive change within economics education, including increasing diversity and improved outcomes for all students.
- EN4: Pedagogic innovation, developing and implementing innovative, inclusive and effective ways of teaching and assessing economics and/or developing students’ skills
- EN5: Curriculum development, experience of successful curriculum and learning development incorporating recent scholarship around effective learning design of inclusive pedagogy and assessment.
- EN6: Mentoring other staff, this could be via a formal mentoring scheme or informally within their department/networks
- EN7: Publication(s) in economics education, such as paper(s) in the International Review of Economics Education, Journal of Economics Education or other relevant journals
- EN8: Other indicators of prestige, for example National Teaching Fellowship, Advance HE Fellowship, national or university awards, membership or chairing of committees related to education (e.g. QAA, TEF-related etc)
Responsibilities
Members of the Executive Group will work closely with the Director(s) to decide the strategic direction of the Network and will be expected to make a significant leadership contribution across each year. The work of the Executive Group will vary according to the needs and activities of the Network but typically includes taking responsibility for key aspects of its delivery such as:
- Researching and pursuing fundraising opportunities
- Coordinating and mentoring Associates through joint leadership of one of the working groups
- Recruitment and shortlisting of new Associates, Executive Group members and Economics Network staff
- Analysis of sector-wide student survey and intake data
- Building and maintaining relationships with employers and undertaking research on student employability and skills
- Resource development for GTA and Early Careers training programmes
- Endorsement and accreditation of training programmes (e.g. with the Royal and Scottish economic societies)
- Planning and development of new training opportunities, such as CPD workshops for more senior staff
- Conference planning and programme support (e.g. conference themes and shortlisting submissions)
- Development of online resources for teaching staff, including the Handbook and the Ideas Bank
Members of the Executive Group will also be expected to attend regular meetings (quarterly). Most of these are online but we expect to have one in-person meeting each year.
Term of office and renewal
The normal term of office for members of the Executive Group is three years (with a review after the first year). After this time, renewal of a position for one subsequent three-year term is by mutual agreement with the Network and dependent on continuing contributions as laid out in the ‘responsibilities’ section above.
Application process
Applicants should complete this form to apply to join the Executive Group. You will be asked to provide your CV and a 1000 word (maximum) statement highlighting your eligibility, experience (based on the criteria listed above) and the potential contributions you could bring to EN’s work. Please apply by 5pm, Thursday 17 September 2026.
Applicants should also have agreement from their Heads of Department should they be successful, ideally with an allocation of 12 days per year for working with the Network.
The EN values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from candidates from under-represented backgrounds and from all universities.
