Recruiting new Campbell board members, call for expressions of interest
The Campbell Collaboration is a non-profit research network offering the most complete answers to some of the most important questions the world faces.
We’re an international collaboration of researchers and – increasingly – policymakers and practitioners, producing systematic reviews that look at all the research on one question, test it and summarise it. We also produce evidence and gap maps, that show what we know and what we need to know on vital challenges.
As a volunteer board member you would commit a few days a year and have the chance to make a global impact.
We’re looking for people who can be part of leading a step change – not just for the collaboration but for the use of high-quality evidence synthesis to improve lives all around the world.
Our work has already helped to change approaches to policing, make humanitarian work more effective and improve children’s education and wellbeing. We have the potential to offer even more: we have specialist groups working in many major areas of global challenge, including ageing, business & management, children & young persons wellbeing, climate solutions, crime & justice, climate, disability, education, international development and social welfare.
We have centres and networks in Europe, South Asia and China so far, and an ambition to expand the network further. We’ve recently agreed on a new strategy and hired a new CEO to support the whole collaboration to achieve more.
We welcome hearing from anyone, worldwide, who is committed to our mission. We recognise that there are many different kinds of people who have important contributions to make. You do not need to be a researcher and you do not need to have been on a board before. The board and the whole collaboration aim to work in a friendly and collaborative way and will support new board members with induction and training.
We’ve identified some areas of expertise that can strengthen the board. These are:
- Experience of leading or supporting the use of evidence by policymakers at national or international level: we need to balance our world-leading research strengths with an equally strong understanding of how to make it useful for policymakers
- Implementing machine learning/AI: early work shows the potential for 30%+ speed-ups in different stages of the systematic review process
- Fundraising: we are introducing a fundraising function in our secretariat and plan to grow this in coming years; a strong understanding of fundraising systems, relevant networks and experience with fundraising in a global context would all be welcome
- Entrepreneurship: as Campbell looks to grow and expand, the board would benefit from entrepreneurial perspective
Our board needs to reflect our global role so we are particularly keen to hear from potential board members in Africa, Asia, Latin America and low- and middle-income countries, as classified by the World Bank.
Member role and time commitment
We are looking to appoint four new board members starting from October 2023 or over the following year as current members retire at the end of their terms. The Campbell board is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organisation, scientific and organisational policy, organisational structure, approval and oversight of budgets, performance management of the CEO, and legal and fiscal matters related to the collaboration’s status as a non-profit organisation.
The board meets in person twice a year with travel expenses covered by the collaboration. Board members may take part in sub-committees between board meetings. Board members are elected for a three year term, with the option of re-election.
In addition to the overall responsibilities described above, the board also does the following:
- Supports the CEO and the secretariat in developing and updating an operational plan which outlines key activities and policies
- Reviews and decides on specific proposals for new Campbell Coordinating Groups and partner organisations
- Reviews and provides approval for the operational budget on a yearly basis
- Promotes Campbell to potential funders and external partners
How to apply
Please send a cover letter and your CV by email to slebrun@campbellcollaboration.org. The deadline for applications is 21 July 2023.
If you are considering applying and would like to arrange an informal conversation to find out more, please contact Santina LeBrun on slebrun@campbellcollaboration.org.