RESEARCH OFFICER (PERFORMING ARTS RESEARCH)

In a city renowned for its international outlook and connectivity, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) plays a unique and influential role in nurturing future generations of performing artists, including performers, practitioners, designers, and technicians. Ranked 10th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts and 1st in Asia, the Academy and its Schools of Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film & Television, Music, and Theatre & Entertainment Arts form a vibrant centre of practice, production, teaching, and practice-as-research. Its outstanding reputation is reinforced by the quality of its graduates and its partnerships with centres of excellence locally, regionally, and internationally. Through international residencies, visiting artists, and a distinguished alumni network—including some of the most respected professionals in their disciplines—the Academy is committed to training future world-class performers and practitioners.

Jockey Club Dance Well Project is a creative movement programme designed to include those with Parkinson's disease and people of different ages and abilities through regular dance classes and activities in artistic spaces, with the belief that dance can make meaningful contributions to society, life, and the human condition.  Initiated by the School of Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, this three-year project is funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and is modelled after the Dance Well initiative introduced by the Municipality of Bassano del Grappa, Italy and the Centro per la Scena Contemporanea in 2013. The practice has since been extended to other Italian cities and beyond.  It was introduced to Hong Kong to bring an inclusive dance experience to the Hong Kong public.

The School of Dance will collaborate with the Performing Arts Research Department to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the Project. The impact study will evaluate whether the programme leads to increased participation and appreciation in art and culture; improved mental well-being; strong social connections; and enhanced overall quality of life.

We invite applications for a full-time Research Officer to manage the impact evaluation of the Jockey Club Dance Well Project.  The appointee will report to research faculty of the Department of Performing Arts Research and provide end-to-end research support across the project lifecycle.

Key responsibilities:
• Project Management: Coordinate day-to-day research activities, timelines, participant recruitment, and stakeholder communications.
• Study Design: Contribute to survey and interview protocol development, sampling strategy, and ethical submissions.
• Data Collection: Administer surveys, conduct semi-structured interviews and focus groups, and manage fieldwork logistics.
• Data Management and Analysis: Clean and code quantitative and qualitative data; perform statistical analyses and thematic analysis; maintain secure data records.
• Reporting and Dissemination: Draft technical reports, prepare executive summaries, produce visualisations, and present findings to academic and community partners.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure methodological rigour, adherence to ethical standards, and fidelity to study 'protocols.

Requirements:
• A recognised bachelor's degree, or preferably a master's degree, in a social science discipline (psychology, education, sociology, social statistics, or related);
• Normally at least 2 years of applied research experience, preferably in health, arts-in-health, community, or social research contexts; and
• Demonstrable experience with both quantitative (survey design, basic statistical analysis) and qualitative (interviews, focus groups, thematic coding) methods.

Specific skills and attributes:
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with statistical software and qualitative analysis tools is preferred.
• Communication: Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to write clear reports and present to diverse audiences.
• Interpersonal: Empathetic, culturally sensitive approach when working with older adults and clinical populations.
• Planning & Organisation: Exc'ellent time management, attention to detail, and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: Adaptable, resourceful, and able to troubleshoot fieldwork and data issues independently.
                                        
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Appointment will initially be on a one-year contract with the possibility of renewal. Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The expected commencement date will be early May 2026.