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Visitors and Interns

In addition to its Postgraduate program, SPRC has well-established Visitors and Internships programs which further support SPRC's capacity to train the next generation of social policy researchers.

Visitors

The SPRC has an active visitors' program, hosting researchers from other Australian and international institutions. Visitors strengthen the research practice and culture of the Centre through collaboration, sharing of knowledge and skills, presentation of seminars and participation in Centre life.

Current Visitors:

  • Mary Vijendra - Department of Immigration and Citizenship
  • Kenia Parsons - PhD Candidate, Dept of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science, affiliated to the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE/STICERD)
  • Minako Sakai - Senior Lecturer and Indonesian Studies Program Coordinator, School of Humanities and Social Science UNSW.

Visiting, Conjoint and Associate appointments:

More information about past and recent visitors.

Internship Program

The SPRC internship program enables senior undergraduate and postgraduate students from Australia and overseas to undertake unpaid placements in a leading multi-disciplinary policy research environment. Interns will have unique opportunities to gain an understanding of social policy in a dynamic and high profile research environment; gain practical experience in research and evaluation; and develop their research and analytical skills.

Interns undertake a variety of research tasks, tailored where possible to suit their research interests and career goals. Tasks include literature reviews, drafting of reports, designing research instruments (eg surveys, interview schedules), assisting with fieldwork (eg focus groups); data entry and data analysis; and attending stakeholder meetings. SPRC interns are also encouraged to attend the SPRC seminar series, staff training, and other Centre activities. The SPRC does not provide interns with financial support. However, SPRC provides work-space, computer and internet facilities, access to library resources, supervision and mentoring, and a collegial, supportive research culture.

Further opportunities will be advertised here in February-2012. Applications between rounds are considered in exceptional circumstances only. Enquiries should be directed to Jen Skattebol j.skattebol@unsw.edu.au

Current Intern

  • Katherine Lanham: currently completing a dual Bachelor of Social Science/Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland, majoring in Social Policy, Gender Studies and Communication and Cultural Studies. She has a strong interest in social justice and advocacy in relation to indigenous, disability, aged care and gender policy. Katherine recently spent time volunteering as a youth worker in the community of Maningrida in Arnhem Land. She currently works as a disability support worker in Brisbane. At SPRC Katherine will be involved in research regarding the use of evidence in Indigenous policy.
  • Sinead Reilly: currently undertaking a combined Environmental Management and Law degree at Macquarie University. Her interests are in social justice, policy and governance and in particular, the interactions between the law, the environmental and indigenous peoples. Sinead is currently undertaking a research/briefing paper regarding joint/co-management for IPDRU. The paper will focus on the mechanisms provided by legislation to facilitate joint management of the environment by local indigenous groups and government bodies at a variety of scales.

Recent Interns

Read about the experiences of previous SPRC interns below:

PAST SPRC INTERNS (PDF) (59 Kb)

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