Student Placement: British Future
Student Profile
Saffron Powell – King’s College London (School of Education, Communication & Society)
PhD topic: In what ways does initial teacher education in England prepare teachers for an ethnically diverse society?
Placement host: British Future
When: May – August 2025
Overview of the placement
Saffron undertook a 13-week full-time internship with British Future, an independent think tank focused on immigration, integration, race, and identity. The placement provided her with hands-on experience in community-based research, policy engagement, and public communications, aligning closely with her doctoral research and career aspirations.
Key Activities and Contributions
- Community-Based Research: Saffron facilitated focus groups with residents in Newham, organised stakeholder discussions, created recruitment materials, and analysed qualitative data.
- Cross-Team Collaboration: She supported marketing and communications efforts, managed social media posts for Windrush Day, attended board meetings, and participated in events including a visit to the House of Lords.
- Public Writing & Engagement: She authored a blog post and an article aimed at non-academic audiences, enhancing her skills in accessible writing and public engagement.
Impact on PhD and career development
Saffron’s placement
- Refined her career direction, confirming her interest in a hybrid role spanning academia and the third sector.
- Enhanced her research skills, particularly in qualitative methods and stakeholder engagement.
- Broadened her understanding of policy-oriented research, contributing to the development of her intellectual framework and future impact strategy.
- Advanced her publication portfolio, with outputs that complement her academic work.
Student’s reflections
Saffron strongly recommends the LISS DTP Internship Scheme, citing its value in skill development, networking, and gaining fresh perspectives on her research. She appreciated the opportunity to explore work beyond academia and found the scheme well-structured and inclusive.
“At the point that I applied for this placement, I was nearing the end of the 2nd year of my PhD preparing to write up my thesis in my final year and was unsure as to whether I wanted to pursue a career in academia in higher education, the third sector, both or neither! Completing this placement in the third sector allowed me to realise that a hybrid role in academia both in higher education and the third sector would be ideal for me.”
PhD supervisor’s view
Dr Emma Towers highlighted the placement’s positive impact on Saffron’s academic and professional development. It enriched her research, opened new lines of enquiry, and supported her future career planning. The supervisory team noted her consistent communication and successful integration of the experience into her PhD journey.
“The experience has had a positive impact on her doctoral research. It has informed her reading and analysis, opened new lines of enquiry, and contributed to the refinement of her intellectual framework. Overall, the placement has been a significant and enriching component of her academic journey.”
Host’s view
British Future described Saffron as an “excellent and invaluable” team member. She contributed to research, events, stakeholder engagement, and communications. Her proactive approach and ability to quickly integrate into the team were especially praised.