James Harris, a postgraduate researcher from the fifth SUPER DTP cohort, undertook a 3-month internship in the spring of 2026 with NatureScot, the lead public body responsible for advising the Scottish Government on natural heritage. The internship focused on investigating and understanding trends in the Scottish wild wrasse fishery, with a view to make recommendations on how to proceed in a highly deficient data landscape.
James shares their reflections on the experience below.
What did your internship role involve?
I joined NatureScot’s fisheries team on a project proposed by them in collaboration with the Scottish government’s Marine Directorate. I was tasked with using data provided by the Marine Directorate to analyse spatiotemporal trends in catch and landings data from the wild wrasse fishery. I then used the outcomes of these analyses to produce a report which will be used to inform future refinements to the regulations and management practices associated with this fishery. Over the course of the internship, I also helped develop a literature review on wrasse fishing in Scotland and presented my work to a range of audiences including advisement, policy, research and compliance.
What were the main benefits to you of undertaking the internship?
I gained formal experience of policy-facing research and advisement, as well as working as a researcher outside of an academic environment. These experiences were useful in gaining a clearer view of potential career paths. Further, I made some very useful connections in NatureScot and the Scottish Government that will be important when looking for post-PhD opportunities.
What opportunities for skills and personal development did the internship offer?
The main opportunities for personal development came in the form of presentation and communication of research to non-academic audience, as well as engagement with stakeholders from backgrounds with varying degrees and areas of academic expertise. I was also able to develop interpersonal skills in handling discourse around research where multiple (potentially conflicting) vested interests are in play. Analytically, I also gained skills in handling of commercial fisheries data, which comes with a novel set of structures and caveats to consider that working with fisheries-independent survey data does not.
What were the main achievements and outcomes of the internship?
The main outcomes of the internship were the NatureScot report and literature review, along with direct provision of advice and recommendations to the Marine Directorate regarding future monitoring, management and research of the Scottish wild wrasse fishery.
Would you recommend an internship to other PGRs?
I would recommend anyone who feasibly can undertake an internship do so. The internship enabled me to gain experience and connections that I would have been unlikely to gain through the course of my PhD. Additionally, I was able to use the experience as a seamless change of pace from my PhD while still having consistent income and joining a very welcoming new work environment.