The Hive - Volume Four
Demos Intern(et) Network
Poppy Nicol Prachi Bhatnagar Hannah Standen Jenifer Curren, Tom Richardson, Rosy Hosking, Abdus Shuman, Tim Gore Rachel Charman, Michael Janda
Michael Janda
Research Intern, November 2007Michael's role at Demos has been primarily to assist researchers with literature reviews, contact development, event organisation, report drafting and editing, as well as a range of general office tasks. He has been particularly involved with projects on UK skills and training, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector.
During his time at Demos, Michael worked mainly on projects managed by Duncan O'Leary, Simon Parker and Shawnee Keck.
Current Activities: Commencing a year-long Business Journalism Cadetship with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (www.abc.net.au)
Academic Information: Bachelor of Economics and Social Sciences (Honours I) from the University of Sydney, majoring in Political Economy (2003-07)
Skills and Experience: Demos Intern 2007, Winner of the Race Matthews Award 2006 (winning article published in The Australian), Education Officer Sydney University Students' Representative Council 2004-05.
Links of Interest:
www.alp.org.au
http://www.econ.usyd.edu.au/ecop/
Demos Mentor: Pete Harrington
A Word About Demos: An amazing, and fleeting, month. Gone almost before it had begun. Yet, a month here is like three anywhere else, the pace of projects is so fast, and friendships are formed so quickly. My parting hope is that Demos will add a seventh policy area to its current six: "Economics, Finance and Work". Then Demos will be an even stronger voice to challenge accepted orthodoxies in policy, government and society.
Adam Ruddick
Audio Visual Intern, September to December 2007My role at Demos has primarily been concerned with producing a variety of audio-visual media solutions in order to communicate the ideas generated by Demos researchers in new, alternative and engaging ways. Within this I have produced a number of podcasts, audio soundtracks, and video packages that have been used in research, presentation and launch of various publications.
I have also overseen the audio-visual aspects of various high-profile Demos events.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L5lKSeYWgvg
http://www.demos.co.uk/projects/demospodcasts/overview
Contact: adam_ruddick@hotmail.co.uk
Rachel Charman
I am currently a history undergraduate at Royal Holloway, University of London. I have always had a strong interest in all forms of media, as well as in politics and social theory. After carrying out two internships with internet-based publications, I decided to explore more political interests and applied to Demos.
My duties at Demos included a daily news summary, a monthly report on what other think tanks were doing, and a monthly review of magazines such as The Economist and The New Stateman. I also handled some website maintenance and wrote and sent out fortnightly email updates. I was involved in media tasks for the Seen and Heard project launch, and carried out some preliminary research into an LGBT project. I also implemented a system for the next media and communications intern to use to keep abreast of up-and-coming ideological, political and intellectual movements and literature.
Current Activites: Finishing my degree at RHUL, writing a dissertation on English medieval religious culture
Contact: ray_charman@hotmail.com
Tessa Simonds 
Research Intern, April to June 2007
During her time at Demos, Tessa applied her passion for public education innovation and reform to the Building Schools for the Future project, researching and writing literature reviews and case studies about schools, architecture, institutional change and education innovation. Building on her interests in new media and emerging technology, she contributed to a a proposal on blogging and ethics, researched behavior change and the climate, and attended the OpenNet Conference on Internet Filtration for Demos. She also assisted on several pamphlet launches, including Glasgow 2020
and others.
Current Activities: Finishing her undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; writing a thesis on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Academic Information: A.A. in Liberal Arts, MassBay Community College; English and Social Thought and Political Economy major at UMass Amherst; visiting student at Oxford University in English, 2006-2007.
Skills and Experience: Intern at the National Priorities Project, extensive involvement community-based higher education reform in Massachusetts. Fluency in Mac and PC operating systems, knowledge of internet research and Lexis Nexus. Solid research and analytical skills developed through practice and scholarship.
Personal Statement: "After finishing my BA, I'm delving into the world of paid employment, and looking for experiences that I can apply my considerable skills in research, technology, and analytic thinking to public interest issues."
Contact: Tessa dot
Simonds at gmail dot com
Demos Mentor: Peter Bradwell
Demos Referee: Molly Webb
A Word From Demos: "Tessa taught me loads, and wasn't above offering to do the less glamorous admin tasks. Her research has been key to getting us into a new area of work" ~ Molly Webb, June 2007
A Word About Demos: "Fantastic enviroment and gloriously inspiring people and debate".
Poppy Nicol
Research Intern, May to June 2007
Links of Interest:
Demos Mentor: Pete Bradwell
A Word About Demos:
Prachi Bhatnagar
Research Intern, March to June 2007Prachi primarily worked on 'The Future of the Childcare Workforce', 'The changing role of GPs in primary care' and 'The role of the English Language in Development'. She also did some basic research on innovation in India and helped out with a number of Demos events.
Current Activities: Gaining public health experience, travelling, then starting a masters.
Academic Information:
Starting a Masters in Public Health (Imperial College London) Sept 2007.
BA (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology - Biological anthropology specialisation. (Cambridge University)
Skills and Experience: Experience of teaching English as a foreign language and working in different cultures, Welfare Officer at University, voluntary work with health NGOs in India, creative, IT literate and a good communicator.
Personal Statement: "I am extremely interested in international development and public health, and as an anthropology graduate I find the social determinants of disease and health promotion particularly interesting. I am also interested in health policy and research and would like to gain experience in both of these areas.
Contact: pb335@cantab.net
Demos Mentor: Joost Beunderman
Demos Referee: Faizal Farook
A Word From Demos: Prachi has been a vital asset on both the health and care projects she worked on. Her research work was on time, on brief, well presented and thorough, and she displayed initiative to deliver beyond expectations. As an intern she dealt with both minor and significant tasks with equal enthusiasm, and had a good rapport with staff and external stakeholders. - Faizal Farook
A Word About Demos: "I had a fantastic time at Demos and learnt a lot about policy while developing on my research skills. I was made to feel extremely welcome and it is an experience that will stay with me!"
Hannah Standen
Research Intern April 2007 to May 2007
During her five-week placement, Hannah supported John Holden and Sam Jones with their work in Arts & Culture. She was involved in carrying out research for Women at the top, a provocation paper commissioned by City University for their conference on women and leadership at the Barbican and Publicly Funded Culture and the Creative Industries, a report commissioned by Arts Council England. Hannah also helped with the Glasgow 2020 event.
Current Activities:
MA Student in Arts & Cultural Management at Dartington College of Arts
Workshops Co-ordinator for Larmer Tree Festival
Hannah is also an amateur musician and dancer
Academic Information:
BA Honours in Arts Management, De Montfort University
Skills and Experience:
Hannah has recently completed a period of work experience in the Arts Department at the BBC, White City working on the Imagine series, and in particular the episode on Surrealism.
Prior to that, Hannah worked as an Events Assistant and Artist Liaison Officer for Dartington International Summer School, Salisbury International Arts Festival, Bath International Arts Festival and New Arts Centre, Roche Court. From 2004-2006 Hannah was Manager of Hanger Farm Arts Centre, a community Arts Centre in Hampshire and from 2003-2004 Membership Development, Office and Events Manager for the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA).
Personal Statement: I am fascinated by how people, sectors and government value the arts and how this is affected by our current social and political climate. I am particularly interested in the role of the artist and arts professional in creating this value. My work experience at Demos has enabled me to pursue my interests in these areas and to feed this into my work as an Arts Management student and practitioner. On completion of my MA I hope to work as an events producer for arts festivals.
Contact: hannahstanden@hotmail.com
Demos Mentor: Mark Fuller
Demos Referee: John Holden
A Word From Demos: Hannah has been a superb intern - bright, interested, efficient, conscientious and inspired. Hannah has been great to have around the office, and everyone will be sorry to see her move on - no doubt to greater things. John Holden
A Word About Demos: I have really enjoyed my time at Demos. Although brief, I have been able to take part in some fascinating projects and have been fortunate to work with some fantastic people, both permanent staff and fellow interns! The research I have conducted has been vital to my continuing development as an Arts Manager and I thank the staff for enabling me to get so involved in their important work.
Jenifer Curren
Media and Communication Intern, December 2006 to March 2007Jenifer's main responsibility at Demos were media monitoring, policy briefing, developing the contact database, compiling and mailing the Demos newsletter, responding to media enquiries, assisting with press releases and research projects and helping with events. She also developed a media campaign for Their Space.
Current Activities: Job Hunting
Academic Information:
A Level - History (A), English Literature (A), Mathemathics (B)
First Class BA (Hons) History (Leeds)
MA with Distinction International Communications (Leeds)
Skills and Experience: Research assistant with Communications Institute at the University of Leeds (December 2005 to May 2006), work experience placement with Endboard Productions (Summer 2005), proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint
Personal Statement: "I am a young and enthusiastic postgraduate with an interest and skills in strategic policy, communications and research analysis."
Contact: jenifercurren@hotmail.com
Links of Interest: Jenifer's Wiki Hive Space
Demos Mentor: Kirsten Bound
Demos Mentor: Mark Fuller
A Word From Demos: "Jen took the communications role and made it her own, showing strong media instincts and sound judgment in dealing with journalists. By the end of her internship she’d set up a new daily news monitoring service and regular policy briefing system. She was always looking to learn and would be a massive asset to any organization." Mark Fuller, February 2007
A Word About Demos: "Demos is a wonderful environment in which to learn. It provides the perfect bridge between academic study and tangible policy."
Tom Richardson
Research Intern, December 2006 to February 2007Tom primarily worked in the Children and Families programme doing research in three local authorities, helping with focus groups and assisting with logistics. Following the conclusion of his internship, Tom stayed on as research assistant to continue work in this area. He also helped with the Look Into My Ideas and Atlas of Ideas events.
Current Activities: Research Assistant at Demos
Academic Information:
A Level - Mathematics (A), Music (A), Physics (A), Chemistry (A)
First Class BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences majoring in Philosophy and Geography (Durham)
Skills and Experience: SAP and general accounting experience with Stalbridge Linen (2006), research skills from academic experience, work experience placements with Bournemouth Echo, The Guardian and an editor of Durham University student newspaper
Personal Statement: "Passionate about understanding the social and political, and passionate about using that understanding to improve people's lives. A first class graduate in philosophy and geography wutg wide interests both academic and non-academic."
Contact: tdjrichardson@googlemail.com / 07729 889329
Links of Interest: Tom's Flickr
Tom's CV
Demos Mentor: Charlie Tims
Demos Referee: Hannah Green
A Word