Pondering a jump from PhD 👩‍🔬 to Science Policy? 👨‍💼

As someone who took that path, I'm often asked how researchers can build up experience for policy roles. And I *never* turn down a chance to write a thread.

So here are my 7⃣ Top Tips 👇
1⃣ Internships

Lots of (paid) schemes for researchers, offering 3-6 months in a policy role. Includes jobs in Westminster, research charities, National Academies, etc.

A couple to get you started:

🔎 @POST_UK Fellowship
🔎 @acmedsci internship 👇

https://acmedsci.ac.uk/about/administration/internship-schemes
2⃣ Volunteer

Internship not suitable? Try volunteering a smaller amount of your time.

If you're a member of a society/professional body, ask about contributing to their policy work. Reach out to people with Policy/Public Affairs/Government Affairs job titles.
4⃣ Attend

Most Unis have a policy group/network, and with a quick 🔎 you’ll be on their mail list. That will connect you with local/national events to join online.

Also well-worth browsing the event listings of thinktanks (e.g. @instituteforgov) & Academies (e.g. @royalsociety)
5⃣ Network

Plug into policy chatter on social media to connect with those sharing jobs/internships.

✅ Create LinkedIn profile to build presence & spot jobs

✅ Follow policy orgs/people, such as my awesome colleagues @millie_dearman @Beth_Thompson @diegobaptista @martinrsmith
6⃣ Read

This one’s easy – follow the news, read the policy section of journals, then chase up more details yourself.

Interview panels will want to hear about the policy issues that interest you most, and check you understand what the role involves. Being well-read is a must!
7⃣ Write

Found a policy topic you feel passionate about? Now write about it! ✍️ Perhaps contribute to an institutional blog or newsletter.

This will demonstrate your ability to write for different types of audience and set out a persuasive argument on paper.
Still here? Then you can help me title my future best-seller career advice book (& Netflix spin-off). My ideas so far:

📕 From Pipettes to Policy
📗 From WBs to MPs
📘 From Microscopes to Multi-Year Spending Reviews
📙 From mRNA to MHRA

✍️ Suggestions below please
You can follow @Ben_Bleasdale.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

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