Internship: Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST)

 "The SSCP DTP allowed me to take part in a 3-month fellowship programme at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). This fellowship involved working under a supervisor at POST to research an entirely different scientific topic from my PhD work, and writing a report to communicate that topic to parliamentarians. In my case this meant researching marine carbon sequestration. This work not only allowed me to learn about what was for me a relatively new scientific topic, but also allowed me to learn about a very different way of performing research, where expert testimony and reports from organisations are used just as much as peer-reviewed publications. This was also a great opportunity to learn about communicating science to policy-makers: an important process that is easy to forget about when one’s head is buried in papers and research projects. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone who is considering future work at the science-policy interface. My POSTnote was published in September 2021!"

Euan Furness, SSCP DTP Cohort 6

Internship: Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST)

“I immensely enjoyed my three months as a Research Fellow with the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST). I was assigned the task of preparing a short form briefing, known as a POSTnote, on the topic of ‘just sustainable transitions’ – which explores justice issues related to economic and social transitions to meet sustainability goals. This was a tough topic to dissect – as it is very broad and stakeholder opinions vary widely, but it was fantastic to be able to spend the time focused on different research to my PhD, and delving into a super interesting and lively topic. As part of my research, I interviewed 47 experts – from academia, business, NGOs, and government – for their perspectives, and it was a brilliant opportunity for me to meet new people and pick the brains of some of the world’s foremost authorities. Coupled to that was the experience of having Westminster as your workplace – complete with access-all-areas Parliamentary pass and brushing shoulders with some of the country’s most famous faces – overall an unforgettable and hugely valuable time with an unrivalled insight into the policy world. I’m very grateful to the DTP and NERC for supporting me to be able to have this experience. My POSTnote research briefing was published in October 2023, looking at justice principles for achieving a fair transition to net zero carbon and halting biodiversity loss. Henry looked at examples from changes in the UK, and the UK’s international commitments to produce case studies for the work."

Henry Grub, Cohort 8

2 internships: Cool Farm Alliance & Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations

“During my PhD journey, I had the privilege of completing two enriching placements, each spanning three months. The initial placement, facilitated through a CASE partnership via the SSCP DTP, was UK-based with the Cool Farm Alliance. The second placement took me to Bangkok, collaborating with the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations. In both instances, my focus centered on enhancing the representation of local crop dynamics within modeling endeavors of diverse complexities. Integral to the success of these experiences was the unwavering support of my PhD mentor. Their encouragement allowed me the autonomy to carve a unique PhD path aligned with my personal interests and ambitions. Additionally, the SSCP DTP played a pivotal role in facilitating my international placement in Bangkok, extending both financial and administrative support.”

Jordie Buckley, Cohort 8

"Completing a 3-month UKRI internship with the Government Office for Science was a hugely positive experience for me. Led by Sir Patrick Vallance, the small office has a goal to increase the use of scientific evidence in government policy and decision making. In this central and well-connected office, I was able to witness first-hand the research and support that scientists were providing politicians for the Covid-19 pandemic, COP-26 preparations and post-Brexit economic strategies. During my time, I was given the responsibility to setup professional registration and chartership support for over 10,000 government scientists and engineers. This required me to engage with 9 external professional bodies, such as the Institute of Civil Engineers and Royal Society of Biology, to negotiate annual programmes of support through webinars, workshops, mentoring and application support. This work culminated in a board presentation of my work, including requests for funding and approval to implement the scheme, to Sir Patrick Vallance and all of the Government Chief Scientific Advisors. Taking control of stakeholder engagement and contributing positively to a professional workplace has built my interview and presentation skills, as well as my confidence. I now feel enriched by these skills and experiences as I return to my PhD."
Will Veness, Cohort 7