Coventry HDRC is a citywide collaboration aiming to build an open, creative, and dynamic research network that uses evidence to address the wider determinants of health.
The HDRC worked with the Warwick Institute of Engagement to recruit a student intern through their funded internship programme. Following a competitive interview process, we warmly welcomed Ida to Coventry HDRC and the wider Public Health Team for a six-week internship in July. Ida is a second-year undergraduate psychology student at the University of Warwick who was interested in learning more about research and plans to start a career as a psychologist. She shares her experience in her own words below:
I was looking for an internship to show me how research is done. I had never heard of the HDRC before, but after researching it while writing my cover letter, I knew I wanted this internship. What caught my eye the most on the website was the emphasis the HDRC places on community and involving the public in research. I was previously unfamiliar with this area, and the idea of it intrigued me.
During my time in the HDRC, I was involved in many projects. My main area of involvement was with the Public Voice Group (PVG). I helped plan the first PVG meeting, gathered the data, analysed it, considered the following steps, and found appropriate training for the group. I was involved with the priority-setting project by extracting and standardising some data and analysing the responses gathered in meetings. I wrote content for the Marmot report and Intranet, provided feedback for training courses, and created a report comparing models of Public Involvement in research.
I learned a great deal from my internship and developed skills I can use in the workplace. From understanding how to work in a team in a corporate setting, communicating effectively with the public, adapting language and activities to make them more accessible, and event organisation, to more practical skills such as using Outlook and Teams. I had the opportunity to learn more about health determinants and how the public can be involved in research. I even joined an online class to learn more about public involvement in health research after my internship ended!
‘I want to thank the whole team at the HDRC. At the beginning of my internship, I expected to work only with a handful of people or entirely alone. However, during my internship, I enjoyed working with everybody on the team, learning about their expertise, and experiencing some of their passion for their work. I am so grateful for this opportunity and the team allowing me to become part of the HDRC, even if only for six weeks.’
I plan to finish my psychology studies and start exploring my research opportunities. While I’m still unsure which direction to take in research, my time at the HDRC made me realise that I would like to focus on research that involves more of the public.
I want to thank everyone again for this whole experience; it has truly been amazing.