Ankita Arya (she/her) is completing an MSc in International and Comparative Education at the University of Glasgow. In this blog, she shares her experience as an intern for the Centre for Public Policy, as Doctoral Engagement Lead for the upcoming EGPA 2025 conference in Glasgow. 

During my internship at the Centre for Public Policy (CPP), I served as the Doctoral Engagement Lead for the EGPA Annual Conference. My main responsibility was to lead outreach, marketing, and communications for the Doctoral Symposium, aiming to attract applications from early-career researchers across Europe. This involved drafting calls for participation, creating targeted communications, and liaising with University departments and partner institutions. I was also tasked with engaging faculty and researchers in public administration, promoting EGPA’s opportunities, and building academic visibility through direct outreach and tailored messaging. 

The highlight of this internship for me was contributing to an internationally recognised academic conference and working closely with global scholars and convenors. Being trusted with external communications and academic outreach as an intern was both empowering and motivating. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to shape messaging strategy and connect with diverse researchers who were excited to be part of the symposium. Seeing the impact of that work reflected in incoming applications was extremely rewarding. 

This experience not only complemented my MSc in International and Comparative Education, but also aligned closely with my long-term goal of working at the intersection of education policy, international collaboration, and public engagement. It provided valuable, hands-on exposure to academic communication, event strategy, and stakeholder engagement — all of which are essential skills for the policy advisory and higher education leadership roles I aim to pursue.

I would strongly encourage University of Glasgow students not to hesitate to apply for an internship through the University, even if they feel they don’t meet every requirement. In my view, the Centre for Public Policy values curiosity, initiative, and a genuine interest in public engagement over prior experience. I would advise students to tailor their applications to highlight how their academic interests align with the Centre’s mission and to approach the internship with an open mind. Those who actively contribute, ask questions, and take initiative will gain valuable skills, insights, and professional confidence from the experience.

Reflecting on my own journey, I’m deeply grateful to the CPP team for creating such a welcoming and intellectually stimulating environment. The experience not only deepened my interest in academic-policy collaboration but also affirmed my passion for building inclusive, international education spaces. I would highly recommend this opportunity to students eager to make a meaningful contribution to public policy dialogue.

 

Following her internship, Ankita continues to work for the EGPA Annual Conference having secured a position as Consultant for the International Institute of Administrative Science (IIAS), who are delivering the conference.

The EGPA Annual Conference takes place at the University of Glasgow next week, 26 – 29 August 2025.

More about Centre for Public Policy internship opportunities

Centre for Public Policy Interns provide hugely valuable contributions to the Centre’s work and we regularly offer internship opportunities to University of Glasgow students through the UofG Student Opportunities Hub. Future opportunities will be advertised to students through the Hub. 

First published: 20 August 2025

<< News and insights