Please note that the deadline to submit your outline application to the British Academy is 30 September 2026. The Department of Political Science’s deadline for applications is 9 June 2026, which means that you will need to contact your potential mentor at the Constitution Unit at the very latest by 25 May 2026.

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship offers outstanding early career researchers the opportunity to strengthen their experience of research in a university environment. This scheme aims to help develop the award holder’s curriculum vitae and boost their prospects of obtaining a permanent university post. The primary emphasis is on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research, and the integration of the award holder into the community of established scholars within their field.

The Fellowship is tenable for three years, starting no earlier than 1 September 2027. The British Academy funds 80% of salary costs, with the remaining 20% covered by UCL. Research expenses are funded up to £6,000 over the duration of the award.

Potential mentors

Potential candidates should identify an academic who would support their application and agree to act as a mentor. The following academics from the Constitution Unit would welcome approaches in the research areas indicated below (candidates are encouraged to explore their webpages for more detailed information about their previous research):

Professor Russell is Professor in British and Comparative Politics in the UCL Department of Political Science and, until 12 May, Director of the Constitution Unit. She welcomes applicants wishing to conduct research primarily on parliaments and legislatures.

Professor Renwick is Professor of Democratic Politics in the UCL Department of Political Science and, from 13 May, Director of the Constitution Unit. He welcomes applicants wishing to conduct research in areas including electoral systems, electoral reform, referendums, deliberative democratic institutions, democratic reforms and innovations, and constitutions and constitutional reform.

Dr Fleming is an Associate Professor in the UCL Department of Political Science and, from 13 May, Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit. He welcomes applicants wishing to conduct research projects relating to parliamentary politics (either comparative or UK-focused).

Researching at the Constitution Unit

Completing a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Constitution Unit will allow the applicant to also become part of a leading research centre on political and constitutional reform.

The Constitution Unit is a politically independent research centre based in the Department of Political Science at UCL, with a sharply practical focus. Founded in 1995 to conduct detailed research on constitutional reform in the UK, the Unit continues to produce rigorous, timely and independent research and has close working relationships with policymakers, including representatives of all political parties. Its work has had a significant real-world impact for over 30 years.

Our recent major projects include Constitutional Principles and the Health of Democracy (led by Professor Russell), Democracy in the UK after Brexit (led by Professor Renwick) and The Politics of Parliamentary Procedure (led by Dr Fleming), as well as ongoing research into The Changing Role of the House of Lords (also led by Professor Russell).

Our previous projects include: Brexit, Parliament and the Constitution, the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland, Mechanics of a Further Referendum on Brexit, Doing Democracy Better, the Independent Commission on Referendums, the Citizens’ Assembly on Brexit and An Elaborate Rubber Stamp? The Impact of Parliament on Legislation.

We are part of the UCL Department of Political Science. The Department’s status as one of Britain’s leading centres for research in political science was confirmed by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Other potential mentors covering a broader range of political science topics are also available in the Department.

In 2018/19, Dr Rebecca McKee was awarded a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Constitution Unit, mentored by Professor Russell. Her research focused on representation and diversity in parliament, including a survey of MPs’ staff. Dr McKee is now a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government.

Application process

Applying is a multi-stage process.

Stage 1: Identify a mentor at the Constitution Unit (deadline: 25 May 2026)

First, you must find a prospective mentor who is willing in principle to support your application. At the Constitution Unit, this would be Professor Russell, Professor Renwick or Dr Fleming.

Please contact your preferred mentor directly as soon as possible, at the latest by 25 May 2026, briefly indicating your project topic, broad proposed approach, details of your previous qualifications (with grades) and any relevant publications.

The eligibility criteria include:

  • Applicants must be supported by the UK host institution in which they wish to hold the Fellowship.
  • Applicants must be within three years of the award of their doctorate (viva between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027).
  • Applicants may only apply once within their eligibility window.
  • Applicants must be postdoctoral at the time of the Research Awards Committee meeting.
  • Applicants holding a permanent academic post are not eligible.
  • Applicants must be a UK/EEA national, have completed a UK doctorate, or demonstrate a strong prior association with the UK academic community.

 

Stage 2: Apply to the Department of Political Science (deadline: 9 June 2026)

If you have the agreement of a prospective mentor to support your application, you should then apply to the Department of Political Science. To do this, send your proposal to Zeynep Bulutgil (z.bulutgil@ucl.ac.uk), copying in polsci.research@ucl.ac.uk, by 9am on 9 June 2026.

The proposal should include:

  • Research Proposal Title
  • Abstract: Summarise your proposed research for an informed general audience (150 words)
  • Reason(s) for choice of host institution (150 words).
  • Previous Research: normally referring to the doctoral thesis (600 words)
  • Proposed Programme: description of the research programme, including methodology. Scholarly importance of the project and its feasibility, especially in terms of the proposed methodology and timescale should be emphasised (1500 words)
  • Plan of Action: Viability, specificity and originality of the research programme and of its achievability within the timescale should be emphasised (800 words)
  • CV including a list of publications

 

Stage 3: Submit an outline application (deadline: September 2026)

Next is the Outline Stage, which is open to everybody within the eligibility criteria. The deadline for this will be in September 2026.

 

Stage 4: Submit a second stage application (expected deadline: early 2027)

After that is the second stage, to which submitting an application is by invitation only. The expected deadline for this is early 2027.

Useful links

The Constitution Unit.