Academic research can have a crucial role in the formation and scrutiny of policy. One of the ways in which PhD students can engage with the Parliament’s scrutiny role is through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Policy Internships scheme. This is managed by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) in collaboration with colleagues from across all of the UK’s legislatures.
Since 2008 we have welcomed nearly 40 student interns studying for PhDs in a diverse range of subjects; from the philosophy of maths to the politics of countries in transition, via biological oceanography and memory errors in the reporting of déjà vu.
This blog outlines what the scheme is all about and provides examples of some of the work which UKRI Interns have carried out over the years.
What are the aims of the scheme?
Above all, the scheme aims to provide an opportunity for PhD students to use their transferable research skills in a fast-moving policy environment. Participants gain hands-on experience of producing typical outputs, including a SPICe briefing paper and a Spotlight blog.
As well as providing a proactive research service, much of our day to day work in SPICe is to provide briefing and policy support and advice to Parliamentary Committees and individual Members of the Scottish Parliament and their staff. There is therefore the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of our service, and to gain valuable experience whilst embedded in a multi-disciplinary team.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s postgraduate training portfolio, the UKRI Policy Internships scheme provides an opportunity for UKRI-funded doctoral students to undertake a three-month placement at one of a selected group of influential policy organisations.
Currently the scheme supports on average 125 internships per year across all host partners.
What do UKRI Interns do?
The policy topic an intern will work on is agreed mutually, with the aim being to research and write a briefing paper relevant to an upcoming Bill or Committee inquiry. This helps Members and their staff to improve their understanding of a subject ahead of Parliamentary scrutiny.
Interns rarely focus on researching a topic that aligns with their PhD research – this allows them to utilise their transferable skills to examine, understand and write about a topic where they have no prior knowledge, and ultimately to demonstrate multi-disciplinary research impact, with support and supervision from a subject expert.
Our briefings are also reviewed by external experts, and widely used by academic, and civic society as succinct, factually correct and politically impartial points of reference on issues that have complex socio-economic and environmental implications.
Examples of briefings from recent years include:
- Human Rights and the Environment
- Blue Carbon
- Health inequality and COVID-19 in Scotland
- Addressing the nature crisis: COP15 and the global post-2020 Biodiversity Framework
- Child Poverty in Scotland since the 1960s
- A public health approach to gambling harms
- Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare in Scotland
Where are they now and what have they got to say about it?
Those who have undertaken a policy internship have gone on to work in a diverse and interesting number of roles. Some as Parliamentary clerks or researchers whilst others:
- Work in technical roles for local government
- Provide research analysis on carbon management for Wood Mackenzie
- Specialise in ecosystems evidence for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
- Direct policy research for a think tank
- Manage international portfolios with a research council
- Continue in academia and produce vital research to inform climate policy
Dr Hildigunnur Anna Hall was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, and produced a briefing on Transitions of young people with service and care needs between child and adult services in Scotland. Anna said that she “very much enjoyed the internship”, stating on the Parliament’s website that:
I learned a great deal from preparing for and writing up a SPICe briefing, which involved meeting with stakeholders, familiarising myself with published policy and research materials, taking different perspectives into account and communicating my work in a concise manner. I organised a breakfast seminar, where I, alongside experts in the topic of my briefing, presented my work to MSPs and other Parliamentary staff.
Dr John Ferrier was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, producing a briefing on the EU Emissions Trading System. He states:
A policy internship at SPICe provides a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the role that science and research play in informing policy. During my time with SPICe I was treated as an equal member of the team and provided with every resource to develop skills in science communication that are invaluable for any scientific career.
Through meeting with stakeholders and answering enquiries, a SPICe internship provides a range of additional transferrable skills, whilst the briefing and blogs that are produced are of genuine use to MSPs and parliamentary staff. The researchers at SPICe create a fun, welcoming environment and are very eager for you to succeed – I would highly recommend the experience!
What do independent reviews of the scheme say?
Research published in 2021 on Understanding the outcomes and impacts from PhD policy fellowship schemes found that:
PhD Fellows were unanimous in their support for the experience […], describing it as “probably one of the best things I did in my PhD,” and “way more social, and interesting and dynamic than I expected.
Key impacts for interns include:
- Experience of policy ‘from the inside’
- Greater perspective on the policy world and wider context
- Increased motivation and a sense of contribution
- A distinctive and transferable policy skillset
- Career ambition and openings in employment.
Who pays and how do I apply?
Doctoral stipend and fees continue to be paid by research organisations throughout the three-month internship period, with up to £3,172 of expenses for travel and accommodation also available. Annex A of the Applicant Guidance provides more information.
Applications for the 2025 programme opened on Monday 2 June and run through to 8 September.
This year, SPICe is looking to recruit up to 5 interns from NERC, BBSRC and ESRC funded PhD programmes, starting in January, April and September 2026.
Alasdair Reid
Senior Researcher (Climate and Energy), SPICe academic engagement team