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 five internship schemes open for applications – IEA Internship, EPICENTER Internship, and the IEA Global Internship.
All IEA student internships and programmes are free to participate in. For certain programmes there is an opportunity fund successful applicants can apply for.
IEA INTERNSHIP
The IEA Internship is a temporary, unpaid and voluntary position with commuting expenses covered, which is based in our Operations Team where as an Intern, 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 – conducting mailouts, stocktaking, helping with ad hoc requests from other staff members, and hosting events such as Live with Littlewood, IEA Book Club, webinars, lunches, dinners, or awards ceremonies.
- Office support – manning the Front Office, providing hospitality experience to the stakeholders, preparing the meetings and interviews, or helping with recruitment.
- Departmental support – data gathering, briefings, proofreading, summaries, press releases and research projects.
- Personal research – writing blogs, debating and presenting the topics of your interest to the IEA Staff. You will be supported by senior researchers throughout your time working as an intern.
- Project management – operating systems such as Kanban and Scrum in real-time. Interns led projects such as the digitalisation of the IEA’s phone system or organising a temporary office.
The goal of this internship is for you to develop and expand your skillset, as well as support 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. The internship lasts three months. However, depending on your performance, you will have the possibility of extending your time at the IEA further. The internship will be fully on-site at our office in Westminster, London.
If you wish to apply for the Autumn 2022 IEA Internship programme (26th September to 23rd December 2022), you must apply by 11:59 PM on Friday 12th August 2022. Please send your CV and cover letter, in PDF format, to Zachary Vicario, Operations and Digital Coordinator, 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 Winter 2023 intake (9th January to 7th April 2023) can be submitted until 2nd December 2022.
PLEASE STATE WHICH INTAKE YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR IN THE SUBJECT OF THE EMAIL. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO WORK IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, WE DO NOT SPONSOR VISAS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS.
“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 IEA Internship programme.
EPICENTER INTERNSHIP
DATES: The current application period for EPICENTER internships is Q2 of 2022 (April – June 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
There is scope for the role to be part-time and remote. If this is of interest, please state it in your application.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications for the Editorial Internship are open and will close on 11/02/2022. To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to [email protected]
RESIDENTIAL FUTURE THOUGHT LEADERS’ INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
AIMED AT: Undergraduate students
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP: For the first time, the IEA in collaboration with the Vinson Centre, Institute of International Monetary Research, and the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity are offering a residential programme at the Vinson Centre, University of Buckingham.
20 participants will have a packed programme of lectures, seminars, debates, discussions, and social activities. There will be 4 tracks: General Economics, Monetary Theory, Economic History, and Trade and Globalisation. Participants will specialize one of four topics for discussions, breakout groups, and a supervised research project which they will present at the end of the programme.
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS PROGRAMME ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED
FUTURE THOUGHT LEADERS’ INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME: Undergrad
AIMED AT: Undergraduate students
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP: Every summer, the IEA welcomes students from around the world for a packed programme of lectures, seminars, debates, discussions, and social activities. Participants will also participate in workshops on career and professional development, come up with policy proposals, and participate in a research project to present at the end of the 3 weeks.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2022 PROGRAMME ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED
TESTIMONIALS:
“Thank you for enabling this wonderful, inspiring internship programme! I was impressed by the vast variety of topics covered in talks, debates and discussions and feel that this internship has added great value to my personal development.”
“I know I will look back on my summer as one of the most memorable experiences of my life. It’s been absolutely rewarding to take part in debates and seminars on a wide array of issues. Thanks for the support that has made my summer intellectually stimulating and very entertaining at the same time!”
FUTURE THOUGHT LEADERS’ INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME: SIXTH FORM (July)
AIMED AT: A – Level / IB students
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME This week-long programme for sixth formers is a way to get experience discussing economic ideas and concepts beyond the exam curriculum. The week will include lectures, discussions, and debates with expert economists. Participants will hear from people in academia and politics about career opportunities, and at the end of the week the interns will debate on current affairs.
Applications for the 2022 programmes are now closed.
TESTIMONIALS:
“I honestly enjoyed it so much and miss my whole time there! I will make sure to recommend it to anyone interested in economics.”
“I have truly found this to be an invaluable experience and I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to participate!”
“I would recommend it to anyone who has a passion for economics and an intellectual curiosity to learn more.”
A-LEVEL / IB ECONOMICS REVISION COURSE
DATES: Tuesday 12th – Thursday 14th April
AIMED AT: Upper Sixth A-level economics students
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME: This FREE 3-day revision course is an opportunity for Year 13 A-level / IB economics students to prepare for their economics exams. Participants will hear lectures on current affairs in economics, participate in discussions, and learn exam-taking tips.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are now closed for 2022.
COST: The programme is free, but participants will need to cover their own travel, food, and accommodation.
FUTURE THOUGHT LEADERS’ INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME: SIXTH FORM (April)
DATES: Monday 4th – Friday 8th April 2022
AIMED AT: A – Level / IB students
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME: This week-long programme for sixth formers is a way to get experience discussing economic ideas and concepts beyond the exam curriculum. The week will include lectures, discussions, and debates with expert economists. Participants will hear from people in academia and politics about career opportunities, and at the end of the week the interns will debate on current affairs.
HOW TO APPLY: To apply, please send a CV and short covering letter to Brittany Davis at [email protected] explaining why you would like to take part. Please state which programme and dates you wish to apply for in the subject of the email
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications for the Sixth Form Future Thought Leaders’ Programme in April are now closed.
COST: The programme is free, but participants will need to cover their own travel, food, and accommodation. There is a student opportunity fund available if required. Details of how to apply for the fund will be sent to successful applicants.
Intern of the Year Award 2021
Vennese Chan has been awarded IEA Intern of the Year for 2021.
“I am deeply grateful that my experience at the IEA was both productive and rewarding. All IEA staff were always friendly and approachable, and generously offered their support for us even after we left. It is an honour to be chosen as ‘Intern of the Year’, and I wish the IEA would welcome more interns who would make even more remarkable contributions in the future.”
Tufel Miah, Finance Manager, said:
“Vennese was hardworking, diligent and conscientious. She had a friendly temperament and approached all her tasks enthusiastically, respecting set deadlines and following agreed instructions correctly. With time Vennese’s confidence grew enormously and related well with all IEA staff and external stakeholders. She contributed to all areas of IEA’s functions, namely, Operations, programmes and communication team.”
Congratulations Vennese!