Sophie Smith, a postgraduate researcher from the fourth SUPER DTP cohort, undertook a 3-month internship in 2025 with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, a public body advising government on nature conservation, through the competitive UKRI Policy Internships Scheme.
Sophie shares their reflections on the experience below.
A brief description of the internship
I experienced a three-month internship through the Research Councils of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to gain training and experience of how research can inform policy making. The organisation I worked with was the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) within their International Advice Team (IAT). It was primarily a remote-based internship, but I had many in-person experiences where I would meet up with my supervisors to work on the project, and also with the wider IAT team to network with members of JNCC.
What reasons did you have for undertaking an internship?
I undertook this internship because I wanted to gain experience in a non-academic environment that would essentially enhance my employability opportunities for when I finish my PhD. As I have always been involved in an academic setting where research is focused on data collection, data analysis, interpretation of results, and writing, I wanted to gain experience within industry to understand how this type of research is translated into real-world conservation policies and international agreements.
What did your internship role involve?
My primary role was to produce a report on the potential impacts that climate-induced migration will have on both the welfare and the conservation outcomes of affected cetacean species and put forward recommendations to international Parties involved in the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). I conducted an extensive literature review, developed detailed case studies of species likely to be affected, carried out interviews with international leading researchers in the field, and worked closely with members of JNCC IAT and CMS. In addition to this, I was also invited as a speaker to present the research at the CMS Climate Change Working Group to discuss the project with CMS members.
What were the main benefits of you undertaking the internship?
The internship offered a unique opportunity to apply my academic research skills in a real-world policy context. One of the main benefits was gaining a deeper understanding of how scientific evidence is used to shape international conservation policy. Additionally, the experience helped build my confidence in engaging with stakeholders and policy professionals and significantly enhanced my professional network both within JNCC and the other international bodies they work close to.
What opportunities for skills and personal development did the internship offer?
The internship offered a wide range of opportunities for both skills and personal development which are transferable to many environments. I strengthened my ability to synthesise complex scientific information into policy-relevant documents and communicate it effectively for policy audiences, which is quite different from academic work. Conducting stakeholder interviews and presenting to an international working group improved my confidence in professional communication and public speaking. I also gained valuable experience in project management, working independently to meet deadlines while coordinating and collaborating with multiple teams. Overall, the internship helped me grow as a more adaptable, confident, and policy-aware researcher.
What were the main achievements and outcomes of the internship?
The main achievements of this internship were putting forward recommendations to international Parties involved in the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), where the work produced will contribute directly to briefing papers being developed for the upcoming CMS Scientific Council meeting (ScC-SC8) and the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15).
Would you recommend an internship to other PGRs?
I would highly recommend an internship to other students, especially those considering careers outside of academia or looking to understand how their research can have real-world impact.