Research Contractor (Elitist Britain 2025) Research, Policy & Communications London

The Sutton Trust is the UK's leading foundation dedicated to improving social mobility. The organisation conducts rigorous research into the issues of low social mobility and educational disadvantage, undertakes policy advocacy to effect systemic change, and delivers programmes to over 10,000 young people each year across the country. The Trust seeks to ensure young people reach their potential, regardless of their background, school or where they live.

We're looking for a freelance researcher to carry out work for our landmark report, Elitist Britain 2025 - an update of our highly successful report Elitist Britain 2019 .

This piece will also look to improve on previous research, including studying additional sectors and roles (for example, policy makers in devolved nations, senior staff in think tanks and social media influencers), as well as looking to improve previous research methods. We have already launched an open consultation circulated widely, to take a wide range of views into account when designing the next edition of Elitist Britain.

The freelancer will primarily carry out research, including:

• Identifying individuals to include in each category of Elitist Britain.
• Desk-based research on included individuals, using sources such as LinkedIn, Who's Who, local and national newspaper reports, etc.
• Contacting individuals to request data where information is not available online.
• Managing the Elitist Britain dataset, ensuring data is recorded correctly and accurately.
• Attendance of a weekly or bi-weekly check-in meeting with the Elitist Britain team at the Sutton Trust, and other meetings as necessary.

The research freelancer will also have the opportunity to contribute to the writing of sections of the Elitist Britain report, including writing up data analysis and wider policy context.

Essential:

• Quantitative research experience.
• Strong Excel skills.
• High degree of attention to detail.
• Is eligible to work in the UK.

Desirable:

• Experience of carrying out policy relevant research.

• Dates for work: Up to a period of 50 days of work available from the 12th of March 2025, all days must be completed by the 2nd of June 2025.
• Day rate: £175.
• Expenses: We will cover the cost of travel to any external meetings if required, as agreed with the Sutton Trust's Research Manager. Any travel to our office must be covered by the freelancer.
• Office location: The Sutton Trust, 9th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP (note, the freelancer is welcome to come to work in our office on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the period of the contract, but this is not required).

Your application should be submitted in one go - you can view the questions by clicking on the link if you would like to prepare in advance. Please include an up-to-date CV.

Please note, as this is a freelance contractor role, the Sutton Trust employee benefits listed at the bottom of this page do not apply.

Applications should reach us by midday (12pm) on the 3rd of March 2025, with interviews held over Zoom on the afternoon of the 10th of March 2025.

The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. Therefore, all posts undergo a safer recruitment process, including but not limited to, disclosure of criminal records where necessary and eligibility to work in the UK. We have procedures in place to promote safeguarding and a safe culture at the Trust.

We operate contextual recruitment at the Sutton Trust. Our application process gives you the option to include information about your background, such as whether you were eligible for free school meals, whether your parents went to university, or whether you attended a state school. For more examples and information on contextual recruitment, please see our website .