Policy Projects
Learn about PPS led current collaborative projects between the University of Southampton researchers and UK Government and Parliament.
09 June 2022
Ben Giordano
Doing a placement at the Department for Transport was one of the most exciting, formative and interesting things I’ve done since starting my PhD. I worked in the Science, Innovation and Technology (ScITech) directorate on an international comparator project seeking to understand where the UK can work with the US on transport decarbonisation technologies – creating a report which allowed the department to begin examining potential international collaboration and partnerships.
It was a fast-paced, exhilarating experience – and one which gave me a renewed sense of confidence in the inner workings of the UK Government. I met people who worked on national security, science policy, energy standards and the regulation of electric vehicles. Not only were the numerous civil servants I met highly intelligent and motivated – but they were genuinely good people to work with: understanding of personal circumstances, a good laugh in the pub, and empowering people in more junior positions to be promoted and fulfil their potential.
I’ve never worked in such a positive environment, and encourage all potential PhD students to consider taking a few months out from the agony of focusing on a single topic for years on end and get some experience in a different field. Not only will it make you more employable at the end, but it will refresh your intellectual palate – akin to eating a nice fresh salad at the end of one course of food to be ready to begin the next. I highly recommend.
Find out more
Policy Podcasts
Click here to listen to our Policy Podcast series. In each episode we speak to UoS researchers and experts, about their experiences confronting critical issues in the domestic and foreign policies.
Ways to engage
Guidance on the many channels available to researchers to engage with policymakers.
Impact toolkit
Guidance on things to consider in the science to policy process and useful tips in planning and costing your impact activities.