Centre for Democratic Resilience, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford
About the Organisation
The Centre for Democratic Resilience is a new research centre dedicated to understanding and promoting the resilience of liberal democracy in Europe, the United States, and beyond. Based in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford, the Centre builds on Oxford’s extensive cross-disciplinary research strengths, its long-standing leadership in education, and its strong relationships with business and government.
Democracies are under unprecedented stress, with significant implications for businesses. The weakening of democratic institutions and norms creates risks such as increased polarization, reduced social cohesion, regulatory unpredictability, corruption, and threats to corporate values and workforce stability. Businesses must develop strategies to navigate these challenges while maintaining ethical leadership and operational resilience.
The Centre for Democratic Resilience (CeDR) is establishing a research stream within a globally recognized research group on democratic resilience. This initiative will generate actionable insights for business leaders to understand, anticipate, and respond to democratic backsliding. The Research Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting this work, contributing to empirical research, and industry engagement. The position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of democratic governance and business strategy, helping organisations navigate the complexities of democratic resilience with evidence-based solutions.
The project
The successful candidate will be involved in the following activities:
- Understanding the risks to businesses from democratic backsliding domestically and internationally (e.g., How do different forms of democratic backsliding affect business operations, stakeholder relationships, and risk profiles? What indicators should business leaders monitor to anticipate democratic deterioration?)
- Historical and comparative analysis (e.g., What lessons can be drawn from how businesses navigated past periods of democratic stress? How do successful approaches vary across different political and cultural contexts?)
- Analysis of best practices in leadership, organizational, and communication strategy (e.g., How do business leaders balance competing stakeholder interests when democratic institutions weaken? What frameworks help leaders determine when and how to take public positions on democratic issues? How can companies adapt their risk management, scenario planning, and communications strategies to account for democratic fragility?)
- Multi-stakeholder engagement (e.g., How can businesses collaborate with civil society organizations to support democratic institutions? What role can business coalitions play in protecting democratic norms and practices? How can companies engage with governments constructively while maintaining independence and ethical standards?)
- Measurement and impact (e.g., How can businesses assess their impact on democratic resilience? What metrics should companies use to evaluate the effectiveness of their responses to democratic challenges?)
What you will do
Working closely with academics and strategic business communication consultants, the Research Assistant will:
- conduct literature reviews and data collection on the impact of democratic backsliding on businesses
- compile and analyse case studies of how businesses have responded to democratic stress in different political and cultural contexts
- identify early warning indicators that business leaders should monitor to anticipate democratic deterioration
- support the development of risk management and scenario planning tools for companies operating in volatile democratic environments
- support the development of frameworks to help business leaders navigate stakeholder tensions and organizational challenges during democratic crises
- assist in the production of educational materials and research reports
- engage with business leaders, civil society organizations, and policymakers to gather insights and validate research findings.
- contribute to organising workshops, seminars, and roundtable discussions on business and democratic resilience.
Who we are looking for
The successful candidate will have
- a Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Political Science, Business Studies, Public Policy, or a related field
- strong research and analytical skills, with experience in qualitative and/or quantitative methods
- demonstrated interest in democratic governance, corporate social responsibility, and political economy
- excellent writing and communication skills, with experience in drafting reports and policy briefs
- ability to synthesize complex information and present findings clearly to non-academic audiences
- strong organizational skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.
Experience in engaging with business leaders, policymakers, or civil society organizations is desirable.
Supervision and collaboration arrangements
The student will have weekly catch ups with Prof Petra Schleiter, Centre for Democratic Resilience and DPIR; Dr Edward Brooks, Director of the Global Leadership Programme and DPIR.
The Research assistant will have the opportunity to attend relevant workshops, seminars, and training, as well as other professional development opportunities that may arise. They will benefit from liaising leading scholars, strategic communications consultants, and business leaders.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to sponsor the student for a visa covering the duration of the placement, if required.
How to Apply
Please submit the following by e-mailing placements.gudtp@socsci.ox.ac.uk:
- a cover letter detailing your motivation and suitability for the role (no more than 2 pages)
- a CV detailing full academic results to date and highlighting relevant experience and skills
- a writing sample (e.g., research paper, policy brief, or industry report of no more than 5000 words)
For any inquiries, please contact Prof. Petra Schleiter (petra.schleiter@politics.ox.ac.uk).
We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Our team is committed to fostering an inclusive research environment.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 23rd March 2025
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 27th March
