Project and Research Lead – Videogames Econometrics

OKRE, along with partner Ukie, have been selected as one of the first recipients of funding for innovation in the UK videogames sector, from British Film Institute (BFI)'s Innovation Challenge Fund.

We are delivering an initial scoping of a ‘UK Video Games Econometrics’ project – a study of the economic, cultural and social value of the UK sector and are now looking for someone to lead on the project management and research of this exciting work.

If this sounds like you, we'd love for you to get in touch.

  • Jobs
  • Posted: 5 Dec 2024

Job Details

Role: Project and Research Lead, Videogames Econometrics (Contractor)

Remuneration: £350 per day

Contract Length: expecting 20 – 30 days over 8 months (project deadline August)

About the Research

OKRE along with partner Ukie, have been selected as one of the first recipients of funding for innovation in the UK videogames sector, from British Film Institute (BFI)‘s Innovation Challenge Fund.

We are delivering an initial scoping of a ‘UK Video Games Econometrics’ project – a study of the economic, cultural and social value of the UK sector. Previous studies have looked at the impact of videogames in areas such as education, but this project seeks to widen the focus to be more inclusive of the broader social and cultural impacts of videogames and identify metrics that could be used to quantify their value in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Key Outputs 

There are two key deliverables for this funding:

  1. A short study that seeks to understand the social and cultural impact of games, including an initial exploration of a definition of the games industry within the UK, a research project, including primary independent research and workshops alongside review of other sources to explore the diverse social and cultural impact of videogames.
  2. Building upon the initial report – a full scoping report, analysis of existing data, consideration of missing evidence and setting out a feasible project plan to conduct a full econometrics study into the cultural and social value of the gaming industry.

Your Role & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work with a steering committee to ensure the completion of the key outputs. They will lead on the research and project management of the work. This is an opportunity to explore innovative research, as well as build contacts within the videogames industry. We will ask that the successful candidate have a commitment to including a diversity of voices, experiences and identities throughout the project, and there is budget to work with a diversity consultant.

  • The successful candidate will be responsible for:
  • Analysis of existing literature regarding diverse social and cultural impacts of videogames.
  • Development and delivery of other research methodologies to capture and garner feedback on social and cultural impacts e.g. questionnaires/surveys.
  • Coordination, delivery and documentation of online and in-person roundtables with diverse stakeholders from industries and professions working with videogames to explore wider social and cultural impacts e.g. health, scientific research, education, public engagement, charity sector, racial justice.
  • Identification of data and metrics regarding diverse social and cultural impacts that could be utilised to create an econometrics report.
  • Production of a report for public release focused on evidenced understanding of the social and cultural impact of games.
  • Administering and monitoring the process of delivering the scoping.
  • Communicating progress and defining and chasing deliverables.
  • Responsible for communication and reporting on progress to the BFI.
  • Responsible for collating the interim report and the final report.
  • Work with possible suppliers to refine and agree scope of the full econometrics report.
  • Deliver project plan for full econometrics report.

About You

  • Strong project management skills, including budgeting, administration and reporting.
  • Academic background in economics, mathematics or statistics.
  • An understanding of and experience delivering both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
  • Good understanding of research projects, and how to extract and collate feedback.
  • Experience in report writing.
  • Understanding of working with grant authorities.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Numeracy and attention to detail.
  • Articulate communicator who can adapt approach to different stakeholders.
  • Good understanding of videogames business and the language of games, demonstrating an understanding of the social and cultural impact of gaming.
  • Interest in and enthusiasm for the impacts that videogames can bring to society and culture.
  • Available for an immediate start.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do and we actively encourage applications from those at different life stages. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees, workers and job applicants can thrive. We work to make our recruitment processes as inclusive as possible. If you would like us to make adjustments during the application process, please contact us. We expect our team to treat others on their merits and challenge any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation, or sexual, racial or any other type of harassment.

How to Apply

Please send your CV (of no more than 2 sides of A4), a cover letter (of no more than 1 side of A4), and supporting evidence of previous research conducted (optional) to Application for Econometrics Consultancy

Please use “Application for Econometrics Consultancy” in the subject of your email, and save your documents either as a .doc or .pdf file, following the format “[surname, first name]_[document title]”

Application Process 

Deadline for applications is 23:59 Thursday 2nd January.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application by 18:00 Friday 3rd January.

Candidates that we would like to invite to interview will be contacted in January. Interviews will be conducted either virtually or at the OKRE offices in Euston w/c 13th January 2025. At this point, please inform of us of any reasonable adjustments that you may need.

There will be a competency interview, plus a more free flowing chat including a panel of three people. We will share the information of who will be on the panel with you when we contact you for interview.

We will inform the successful candidate of their appointment and aim to complete contracting by the end of the week. Ideally the candidate will be available to start w/c 20th January.

Unsuccessful candidates from interview will be informed and invited to receive feedback. We will only be providing feedback to candidates who get through to interview stage.