Welcome to the IEA’s Internships page
Here we explain our various internship programmes that we run throughout the year. Whatever kind of internship you undertake, you will be a part of the IEA family and be able to take part in the activities staged by the Institute. Interns also remain a strong part of the IEA network as alumni.
We currently have three internship schemes open for applications – IEA Internship, EPICENTER Internship, and the IEA Global Internship.
IEA INTERNSHIP
The IEA Internship is a temporary, unpaid and voluntary position with commuting expenses covered, which is based in our Operations Team. As an intern, you will work on both research and operations tasks, and you will have the opportunity of supporting all aspects of the IEA’s work.
This programme is aimed at all those with an interest in free-market economics who wish to expand their horizon while contributing to the IEA’s objectives. Candidates are expected to be team players who are happy to work on a range of different tasks and possess a good knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Responsibilities may include:
- Operations support, for instance conducting mailouts for departments, stocktaking, as well as setting up and leading a wide range of events, including lunches and evening drinks receptions.
- Office support, such as manning the reception, processing emails, supporting the recruitment, replying to queries and organising the building’s logistics.
- Departmental support, including helping other departments with data gathering, briefings, proofreading, summaries, press releases and current research projects.
- Personal research, for instance, keeping up to date with IEA research and writing blogs for internal or external platforms, with guidance from members of the research team.The goal of this internship is for you to develop and expand your skill set, as well as supporting the operational functions of the think tank. We will therefore attempt to tailor the internship to your personal interests and ambitions, where this is an option. In particular, you will have the chance to work with all departments and different researchers, depending on your areas of expertise and interest. Furthermore, you will be invited to and participate in debates and presentations that will help you build the skills needed to succeed in the think tank world and beyond.
The internship lasts three months. However, depending on your performance, you will have the possibility of extending your time at the IEA further. Applicants who can intern for the full three months will be preferred, but we consider suitable candidates who wish to support the Institute for a shorter amount of time or in a more flexible arrangement. The internship will be fully on-site at our office in Westminster, London.
If you wish to apply for the Winter 2022 IEA Internship programme (4th January to 1st April 2022), you must apply by 11:59 PM on Sunday 7th November 2021. Please send your CV and covering letter to Bart Popowicz, Operations Officer, at [email protected], explaining why you would like to intern at the IEA and how you would benefit the team.
Applicants are being considered on a rolling basis also for other intakes:
Applications for Spring 2022 intake (4th April to 1st July 2022) can be submitted until 6th February 2022.
Applications for Summer 2022 intake (4th July to 30th September 2022) can be submitted until 8th May 2022. The location for this intake may vary – hybrid arrangement is possible.
Applications for Autumn 2022 intake (26th September to 23rd December 2022) can be submitted until 7th August 2022. The location for this intake may vary – hybrid arrangement is possible.
PLEASE STATE WHICH INTAKE YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR IN THE SUBJECT OF THE EMAIL.
“I built up lots of valuable skills in logistics, events planning, team management and administrative duties; whilst being academically stimulated through discussions, seminars and lectures with other interns and staff” – Josef (24), Head Intern in Spring 2021 General Internship programme.
EPICENTER INTERNSHIP
DATES: The current application period for EPICENTER internships is Q1 of 2022 (January – March 2022).
AIMED AT: Undergraduate and postgraduate students based in the UK and the EU.
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP: EPICENTER is a collaborative network of nine leading free market think-tanks in Europe. It seeks to inform the EU policy debate and promote the principles of a free society by bringing together the economic expertise of its members. If you are interested in European issues, want to use the opportunity to engage in pan-European research and have the necessary basic knowledge about EU institutions, then this opportunity is for you! Speaking additional European languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Lithuanian, Polish, Danish, Greek, or Swedish) would be an advantage. You would be working with a multinational team based in nine capitals of Europe + Brussels, deliver support for our research team, come up with new social media outreach methods and generally help out our staff by conducting meaningful work. Furthermore, you would have the opportunity to pursue your own research and get published on our blog.
Candidates interested in the opportunity should be able to commit for a minimum of three days per week for at least twelve weeks.
HOW TO APPLY: To apply, please send a CV and short cover letter to Adam Bartha at [email protected], outlining your area of interest in European policy-making and EPICENTER itself. Please note that this internship opportunity is unpaid.
IEA Global Internship
DATES: The current application period for IEA Global Internships is Q1 of 2022 (January – March 2022).
AIMED AT: Undergraduate and postgraduate students based in the UK and abroad.
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP: The Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity partners with a plethora of think tanks across Africa and works with them to make their voices that push for greater free trade more effective and louder. If you are interested in African trade and development, want to work with cutting-edge think tanks across the continent and develop your knowledge on the biggest issues facing Africa, then this internship is for you!
The IATP is a project of the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Vinson Centre at the University of Buckingham. We are housed at the Vinson Centre at the University of Buckingham, where we work under the same roof as dozens of world renowned academics and popular think tanks.
Having an interest in African affairs is vital. The internship will provide you the exciting opportunity to work directly with the IATP’s Director, Alexander Hammond and our 11 partnered think tanks. Your work will be vital to the IATP, and main tasks include executing exciting research projects, creating innovative social media outreach methods, and generally supporting the IATP by conducting an array of meaningful work. You will also have the opportunity to pursue your own research and write articles for our website.
Candidates interested in the internship should be able to commit for a minimum for 15 hours per week, for at least eight weeks. Ideally, candidates will also be able to work from the University of Buckingham, though on a case-by-case basis, we can be flexible with this requirement.
HOW TO APPLY: To apply, please send a CV and short cover letter to Alexander Hammond at [email protected], outlining your area of interest in international trade and African affairs. Please note that this internship opportunity is unpaid.
EDITORIAL INTERNSHIP
The IEA’s Communications Department is looking to hire an intern to support the team’s editorial output. This is a full-time internship, with expenses paid.
The primary responsibility will be to write, edit and commission articles and draft newsletters, later promoting this content across the IEA’s social media channels. The content will support the Institute’s wider mission of improving the understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. There is no “typical day” for the IEA’s Communications team, and the successful candidate may be asked to perform a range of duties.
Desirable skills and experience:
- Editing copy to a high standard
- Strong writing skills
- Interest in domestic and international news
- Understanding of economics and policy ideas
- Passion for free markets
- Experience with promoting content on social media
- Commitment to accuracy and meticulous attention to detail
Until such a time as restrictions are lifted, this will be remote work. There is scope for the role to be part-time. If this is of interest, please state it in your application.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications for the Editorial Internship are currently closed. We will update the page whenever the vacancy becomes available.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP
AIMED AT: Undergraduate students
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP: Each summer, the IEA welcomes nearly 40 interns from around the world for a packed programme of lectures, seminars, debates, discussions, events and social activities. Each intern produces a supervised presentation on a topic chosen by themselves with guidance from IEA staff. Research topics have been very eclectic – ranging from the effect on women of microfinancing in Bangladesh to the role of merchant jurors in the adjudication of 18th century commercial disputes!
HOW TO APPLY: Applications for the 2021 Summer Internship Programmes are currently closed. We will update this page when applications for the 2022 programme opens.
SIXTH FORM INTERNSHIP
AIMED AT: Sixth Form/A Level Students
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP: We provide a dedicated week of work experience for 120 sixth formers in three groups held across the summer. The week includes lectures and discussions with expert economists. There’s the chance to hear from people in academia and politics about career opportunities and much more. And, at the end of the week, there’ll be a debate with your fellow interns.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications for the 2021 Sixth Form internships are currently closed. We will update this page when applications for the 2022 programme opens.
Intern of the Year Award 2020
Liberty Hunter has been awarded IEA Intern of the Year for 2020.
Liberty joined the IEA in January as a General Intern and was due to stay until March. But when the pandemic struck she stayed on to help with the transition to online and worked virtually for us throughout the summer.
Liberty is an alumna of the West London Free School, and is beginning her first year at Oxford University studying History and Politics. She is particularly interested in the role of politics and the free-market within healthcare, technology, and the environment – and how this dynamic will impact future societies. After obtaining her university degree she hopes to go into political consulting.
Brittany Davis, IEA Education, Outreach, and Programmes Manager, said:
“Liberty continually went above and beyond and approached every task head-on and with enthusiasm. Whether performing research or office operations, she was never one to say no, and quickly won over members of the IEA staff. I can’t think of anyone more deserving for this award, and look forward to seeing the great things Liberty does in the future.”
Congratulations Liberty!