Research Internships Opportunities for summer 2014
Canterbury Christ Church University
The Research Internship Scheme gives CCCU students experience of real research projects with high quality
research outcomes. As an intern you will gain a tremendous amount from this opportunity, not only will you
get to experience research ‘first hand’ but you will also acquire a range of transferrable skills which can help
you to secure that graduate job or post graduate place. You will also be paid. Research projects run for 10
weeks over the summer break, completing by the end of August.
Project Information:
REF: RI 33 Name: Dr Matthew Ogilvie
Department: : Psychology, Politics and Sociology (Sociology Programme)
Research Area: The Implementation of National Energy Policy
Project Title: Community resistance to fracking infrastructure
Applicants are invited for the role of intern in a research project focusing on community mobilisation against
proposed fracking (hydraulic fracturing) infrastructure. The project involves analysis of community contention
as local citizens seek to resist the building and operation of fracking infrastructure within their localities. A key
focus of the project will be a descriptive and explanatory analysis of the collective action frames (interpretive
frameworks relating to: grievances, diagnoses of problems, prognoses, motivations for action and collective
identities), strategies, tactics, networks and resource use of key stakeholders (local communities, developers,
environmental groups, political parties, local planners etc.) involved conflict over the siting of fracking
infrastructure. Though focus will be on the immediate sites of contention, network analyse will aim to analyse
the extent to which links are forged between local and trans-local (regional, national, international etc.) actors
involved in conflicts.
The initial research will focus primarily at the following levels:
1.
A comprehensive literature review of academic, media, industry, NGO, opposition and government
publications.
2.
A discourse analysis of the frames (beliefs, arguments, opinions etc.) held and communicated by
those involved in fracking conflict, focusing on stakeholder publications, government reports and media
sources.
3.
Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders.
Applicants should accordingly possess the following skill sets and attributes:
•
Practical knowledge of how to conduct a literature review using the internet.
•
Knowledge of key social scientific research methods and tools, including discourse analysis, semistructured interviews and NVIVO. (Such training will already have been provided in methods training at the
undergraduate level.)
•
An ability to communicate effectively and with respect to a wide range of demographic and social
groups, from activists to government officials.
•
The ability to work both in a team and on the basis of own initiative.
Criteria:
Essential criteria Robust knowledge of key research methodologies and tools of analysis (including interview guide
design, discourse analysis and NVIVO).
 Ability to work accurately under own initiative, paying attention to detail.
 Sound information technology skills.
Desirable Criteria
Canterbury Christ Church University, Research & Enterprise Development Centre (RED)
Research Internship Scheme 2013


Knowledge of social movement theory
A solid level of academic achievement to date.
Application Process:
To apply for this opportunity, please complete the application form below.
Successful applicants will be called for a short interview; you will be told if you are to be awarded the
internship shortly after the interview
CCCU Undergraduate Research Internship Application Form 2014
Last Name:
First Name:
Address :
Date of Birth:
National Insurance Number:
Email (CCCU student email address):
Preferred contact email (if different from above):
Telephone and/or mobile:
University course attending:
Year:
CCCU Student number:
Are you an International Student?
YES / NO
If Yes, please provide details of your current Visa:
Do you require a Work Permit:
Canterbury Christ Church University, Research & Enterprise Development Centre (RED)
Research Internship Scheme 2013
Demonstrate how you meet the criteria for the project and explain why you are interested in this research
area (600 words max):
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence? YES/NO
(Delete as appropriate)
(Your attention is drawn to the fact that under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 you may be entitled to
answer 'no' to this question even if you have, in the past, been subjected to criminal proceedings resulting in
conviction(s). However, certain types of employment are excluded, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
1974 (Exemptions) Order, 1975, from the protection of the Act. It is therefore, suggested that you take the
appropriate advice if you are in any doubt as to the correct answers to give).
If yes, please specify date of conviction, Court, nature of offence and sentence imposed:
Declaration:
I certify that the information given on this form is correct.
I understand that any wilful omission or falsification may lead to the disqualification of this application or
dismissal if appointed to the post applied for:
Signed:
Date:
Please email this form to red.businessdevelopment@canterbury.ac.uk by 31st March 2014.
Canterbury Christ Church University, Research & Enterprise Development Centre (RED)
Research Internship Scheme 2013
FAQ:
Q. Can I apply to this scheme if I am a final year undergraduate student?
Yes. If you graduate this year you are still eligible to apply
Q. Do I have to be a student at CCCU in order to apply?
Yes. Only current CCCU students are eligible.
Q. How will I be paid? And will it be subject to tax?
You will be paid £200 a week for up to 10 weeks. This will be paid in monthly instalments over the summer.
This may be subject to tax depending on your circumstances.
Q. When will the internship run?
Most of the internships will begin on the 19th May and finish on the 25th July (10 weeks). There are a few
exceptions to this, but this will be stated in the project advertisement.
Q. Who do I ask to find out more information?
If you want to find out more about an individual project you should contact the member of staff responsible
for running that project. General queries should be directed to red.businessdevelopment@canterbury.ac.uk
Q. When will I find out if my application has been successful?
All students will be informed if they have successfully progressed to the next stage in the application
procedure or not in April 2014.
Q. I am planning to go on holiday over the summer, will this affect my application?
Possibly. Students will be paid for 10 weeks work in total. Small amounts of time can be made up at the start
of the internship, if the members of staff working on the project agree. A two week break in the middle of the
internship may be impractical and difficult to make up. Students are advised to clearly state any holiday plans
in their application.
Q. Is it ok to apply for an internship in a different faculty?
Yes. As long as you meet the essential criteria for the project you are welcome to apply for it.
Q. What if I have a part time job already? Can I still apply to be an intern?
The internship scheme is a big commitment over the summer months; however the actual pattern of work can
be negotiated between the member of staff running the project and the student intern. A weekend or evening
job probably wouldn’t be a problem. If you are on a student visa you cannot work more than 20hours in total.
Q. Will I be supported?
Yes! You will be invited to an induction event and have a Personal Development Plan and opportunity to meet
with other interns to record all of the transferable skills and knowledge that you will develop. You will also
work closely with the lead researcher.
Q. Will I have to complete a final report?
You will be given the opportunity to produce a final report or presentation in partnership with your academic
lead; it forms part of your contract as an intern.
Canterbury Christ Church University, Research & Enterprise Development Centre (RED)
Research Internship Scheme 2013