width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"> Webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector Think tanks are research organisations that develop ideas and suggestions for action on a whole range of subjects affecting society. Using research, analysis and commentary, we aim to inform and influence politicians, policy makers and the public. Given the economic, social and political issues facing the UK, ensuring the world of research and policy-making is populated by a variety of talented individuals with diverse views and backgrounds is more important than ever. To contribute to achieving greater representation, a group of think tanks and similar organisations join together each year to hold a webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector. This event is aimed at people from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups, people with work-limiting health conditions or impairments, young adults with caring responsibilities (including young parents), mature students, people from lower-income backgrounds, care leavers and LGBT+ students. To help us monitor our success at promoting the event to people from these backgrounds, we would appreciate it if you could complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. The event will be broadcast via YouTube and the Resolution Foundation website. Viewers will be able to submit questions to the panel before and during the event via Slido. This event is organised in collaboration with CenTax, Centre For Cities, Institute for Employment Studies, The Centre for Social Justice, Demos, PBE, Institute for Fiscal Studies, Institute for Government, NPC, the Nuffield Trust, National Institute of Economic and Social Research, IPPR the Learning and Work Institute, and Resolution Foundation. Agenda 15:30 – 15.50 Welcome and Introduction Ruth Curtice, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, will introduce the event and cover the landscape of the think tank sector (e.g. parliament, civil service, local government, think tanks, trade unions charities etc.) and options for research and policy careers, as well as discussing other available roles in Think Tanks. 15.55 – 16:25 Applying for Jobs in the Sector HR and Recruitment specialists will answer your questions on: Where to look for jobs in the sector How to identify the most ‘suitable’ opportunities How to make you application stand out How to use rejection to improve one’s applications 16:30 – 17:00 Influencing Policy Panellists will discuss how their work and the work of their organisation has helped influence policy and what impact might mean. Panel: Nye Cominetti, Resolution Foundation (Chair) Nye joined the Resolution Foundation in 2018. His work covers the labour market, with a focus on low-paid workers. He writes RF’s annual ‘Low Pay Britain’ report, which takes stock of the working lives of the low-paid. He covers various areas of related policy such as the minimum wage, sick pay, and employment reform. Nye also leads on the annual calculation of the real Living Wage. Darcey Snape, Institute for Fiscal Studies Darcey joined the IFS in 2024 as a research economist in the Education and Skills sector. Her current research is split across two main areas. On schools, she is looking at schools spending with a particular focus on high needs (SEND) spending. On local government, she is working on a project to assess the impact of local government funding and spending. Teodor Grama, Institute for Government Teodor is a learning and development officer at the Institute for Government. He supports the IfG Academy’s training work for civil servants, policy makers and those outside government seeking to understand it better. His research focuses on how government can bring more academic evidence and expertise into policy making. Teodor joined the Institute as a research assistant on the civil service and policy making teams, working on the civil service workforce, fast stream reform and policy making at pace. 17:05 – 17:50 A day in the life of the Research Team Panellists will present their journey into and within the think tank sector and what a life as a researcher entails on a day-to-day basis. Panel: Imogen Stone, Resolution Foundation (Chair) Imogen joined the Resolution Foundation in November 2024. Previously, she worked on research and policy focusing on health inequalities in the cancer charity sector, as well as working for several years in marketing and communications. Imogen studied Modern History and Politics at the University of Liverpool and holds a Master of Public Policy from the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin. Abi Clark, Institute for Employment Studies Abi joined IES as a Social Research Degree Apprentice after finishing her A levels in Psychology, English and Spanish and working as a part time swim teacher. She works four days a week at IES, and studies for the University of Kent to compliment her learning and understanding at work. Her main interests lie in qualitative research, and she has enjoyed research into disadvantages affecting young people’s experience in education, youth transitions, and early years research. Naema Malik, Demos Naema Malik is a Researcher at the cross-party think tank Demos, where she works on ideas to make politics and public services fairer and more inclusive. Over her 2 years in this role, she has conducted research on policy areas ranging from employment to housing. Prior to joining Demos, Naema completed her MSc in Empires, Colonialism and Globalisation at the LSE. Daniel Howes, Institute for Government Daniel Howes is a research assistant working in the Institute for Government’s civil service and public bodies teams. He holds a BASc in Arts and Sciences. Previously he worked as a quantitative researcher at the Ditchley Foundation and as a census officer for the Office for National Statistics. Sabrina Bengtzen, New Philanthropy Capital Sabrina Bengtzen is a researcher at New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) where she supports charities and foundations in increasing their impact on large scale social issues. She is particularly passionate about youth and education. Prior to NPC she worked in both family and corporate philanthropy and as a research assistant during her undergraduate degree. She has an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the LSE.
