Over the past two years, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting interns in the Doctoral College through the Bath Insights internship programme—and it’s been a genuinely rewarding experience for everyone involved.
The energy, curiosity, and fresh perspectives that interns bring have had a real and lasting impact on our team and the work we do.
One of the most valuable aspects of the internship is how it brings us closer to the current student experience. While we work closely with doctoral researchers, having undergraduate interns onboard has helped us better understand what undergraduates are encountering in their academic journeys. In fact, both of our interns have said they weren’t previously aware of what PhD study involved. Through this programme, they’ve gained a real insight into postgraduate research and academic life - something that might inspire their next steps.
From our side, the benefits to the department have been huge. Each year, we’ve assigned meaningful, short-term projects that align with the interns’ interests and strengths. For instance, June is Research Culture Month for us - a busy time filled with events, campaigns, and engagement activities. We give our interns the opportunity to get stuck in, from planning and promotion to hands-on event delivery. Whether it’s leading on marketing and communications or facilitating workshops, they take ownership of their work and help shape the month’s success.
This programme also gives our team the chance to develop leadership and mentorship skills.
By supporting our interns, staff members gain experience in line management and coaching - something that’s often hard to come by in day-to-day roles. It’s a brilliant way to build community, both within the department and across the university.
What’s really special is how the internship supports student voice.
Interns don’t just support our work, they influence it. Their perspectives help us see things differently and often spark new ideas.
It’s also an important opportunity for them to build confidence, skills, and professional networks, all while contributing meaningfully to the academic community.
I’d absolutely recommend the programme to other departments. It’s a mutually beneficial experience that not only supports students in exploring their potential but also brings innovation, energy, and growth to your team. It also reminds us why we work at a University, who is benefiting from our work and is our opportunity to develop our future leaders.
Oli Schofield, Head of Doctoral Researcher Development and Experience
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