Anindita Banerjee

Research Intern at the Rights Lab during the 2018 Autumn-Winter Term.

I decided to go for the role of Rights Lab Intern because the job description seemed varied, interesting and challenging. I thought it would help me develop previously-honed skills further, and prepare me for research that I might have to conduct in the future as a lawyer. 

My everyday responsibilities included researching various areas of human rights that my supervisor was working on, and needed extra detail on. However, from time to time, I would be required to do event-specific work, such as researching certain people (and the work they were doing) that she would have to network with at conferences, to ensure that Rights Lab as an organisation could grow. I found these things in particular extremely enjoyable, as it helped my use my administrative and research skills in tandem, and put into practice all that I had learnt about creating cohesive reports and literature reviews in my course.

At times it was challenging to outline the parameters of my research, and organise it in a way that would make sense to my supervisor. It was more or less completely up to me as to which direction I wanted to take my research in, so at times it was difficult for my supervisor to help me - she wasn't sure what I would find out herself. I found that this made me more resourceful and focused in the way that I conducted my research, and as a result I am now equipped to handle such challenges.

My advice to anyone applying, or succeeding in their application for this internship would be to go about tasks in parts. Tasks that seem challenging at first can often be broken down into smaller, more understandable and manageable pieces. Furthermore, even though it can seem daunting to ask for help or clarification, definitely ask your supervisor - they will almost certainly understand that this is often the first time that students are research interns, and need further explanation. Finally, if at any point you get constructive criticism (I certainly did!), rather than be disheartened or defensive, try to understand where it's coming from. Set yourself mini-objectives using this constructive criticism every single time you're in the office, it will make your work better (like it did mine), and hold you in better stead for future jobs.

James Everard

Research Intern at the Rights Lab during the 2018 Autumn-Winter Term.

I applied for the internship with the Rights Lab because I was looking to gain more experience whilst studying for my Masters. The Rights Lab was an attractive organisation for me because I am interested in working for organisations focused on social change.

I had a number of responsibilities during the internship which included researching how successful think tanks disseminate their research in manageable and accessible forms for the public and practitioners. I also worked on producing findings and recommendations from research papers in order to understand how challenging the task is for ‘non-specialists’. During the internship, I was also able to take part in the Tech Against Trafficking project that aimed to evaluate a range of tech tools that are focused on tackling human trafficking.

There were many aspects of the internship that I enjoyed but especially being involved in an organisation that is combining both research and advocacy with the aim of improving the lives of the millions who are suffering under slavery.

What I found most difficult during the internship was producing findings and recommendations from research papers. Although the task is similar to what students do every day in the library, the challenging part was producing a document that comprehensively covered the research paper whilst also thinking about how it would be received by practitioners.

The experience enabled me to understand the continued prevalence of modern slavery, how far reaching the issue is but also the wider community that is aiming to tackle the issue. The greatest lesson from this experience was understanding the challenges in both producing and disseminating information that aims to influence the politicians that can produce the change that is required.

Kianna Leader

Research Intern at the Rights Lab during the 2019 Spring Term. 

I was previously an intern at the Rights Lab and held the position of Membership Engagement Intern within the Survivor Alliance. I became aware of the role through the University who had advertised it as part of the Spring Internship Programme. 

A highlight from the internship was organising a website and online blog webinar. The aim of the webinar was to pass on skills from survivors to other survivors. I had full control of the project so I was responsible for choosing the presenters and participants, deciding a time zone and time, creating a schedule and advertising material.

On a daily basis I would audit spreadsheets, email survivors and help others in the team. Consequently, I always had work to do which I found to be a positive aspect of the internship. 

Chris Hyland

Research Intern at the Rights Lab during the 2019 Spring Term.

Having completed the brief interview for the role just an hour before my ‘Introduction to Microeconomics’ exam, earlier this year I spent a couple of months working a few hours a week as a Conference Coordinator in the Rights Lab.

My role was primarily to help promote a conference, ‘Ending Slavery in Our Communities’, being held in partnership with Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland to engage leaders across sectors in the latest in anti-slavery research and practice.

I applied for the position primarily as I thought the team’s goal – helping end modern slavery worldwide by 2030 – was incredibly worthwhile. I also thought it would be fascinating to get a grip on how the university functions internally. Indeed, I have come away with a network of contacts in the university’s Press Office, Campaigns and Alumni Relations Office, and the Digital Team to name but a few, building my confidence at quickly developing relationships across an organisation. I have already started working with many of these people on the various other projects I get up to at university.

Going in with precisely zero experience overseeing or marketing events, little prior knowledge about modern slavery, and from the get-go having to liaise with a variety of external stakeholders (including holding a conference call with Rotary within hours of starting), there were certainly many trials and tribulations. However, via work ranging from designing Facebook ad campaigns to shooting video I ended up helping attract over 180 people to the event, developing a broad spectrum of skills while having a lot of fun in the process!

Working with a variety of charitable organisations in promoting the conference, and the satisfaction I achieved working on a project that hopefully will have a meaningful impact on others, has led to me consider a career in the third sector. The confidence and improved communication skills gained in this role helped me obtain an internship this summer with the Wellcome Trust, a biomedical research charity.

I’m hugely grateful to the whole Rights Lab team for welcoming me in and supporting me throughout, and I’d definitely recommend all students pay due attention to similar placements as they crop up. There are so many opportunities to get valuable work experience in the Rights Lab and elsewhere in the university. Why not give them a punt?

Megan Light

Research Assistant at the Rights Lab during Summer 2019. 

As I am finishing my three-month internship at the Rights Lab, it has come the time to reflect on my experience as a Research Assistant with the Business and Economies programme. My role allowed me to research multiple topics of which I was extremely interested in, evaluate a large business supply chain, and gain valuable research experience. 

After attending seminar events at the Rights Lab and conducting an individual research project in my first semester, I was extremely excited by the internship opportunities offered at the Rights Lab. Having developed a knowledge and passion for the subject, I applied to be a research assistant.

In the Business and Economies Programme, we look at the role of slavery in supply chains, how it is affecting consumer products, and how we can eradicate it. For the majority of my placement, I was assessing the occurrence of modern slavery in a large multinational organisation’s supply chain. The other two interns and I were tasked with coming up with indicators to detect modern slavery and assign rankings to products and services to audit the organisation’s purchases. We then recommended ways to mitigate any vulnerable transactions. For the final part of my internship, I was tasked with assessing the vulnerability of commodities to modern slavery for the Right Lab’s pilot Commodities Risk Index. 

I absolutely loved the responsibility given to me throughout the internship, and the level of work I was required to do. From day one, my supervisor gave me important tasks which, whilst challenging, were extremely rewarding and valued. I also really enjoyed the scope within the work to tailor it to my own interests, and the support that was given to me in doing this. We explored the different aspects leading to and resulting from slavery, and were able to do research projects involving ones we found particularly interesting. Finally, I loved working with a team that was so passionate and excited about where projects were going, and the changes they were able to make.

I am currently interning over the summer at the Environmental Justice Foundation in London. I am working as an oceans researcher; investigating illegal fishing and modern slavery on vessels around the world, as evidence to influence multigovernmental policy. Thanks to my internship at the Rights Lab, I had the experience needed in research, as well as the relevant subject knowledge to secure and thrive in the work.