Research project internships are designed to support individuals to undertake a small research project under the supervision of experienced researchers from one of the ARCs Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Interns must submit their own research idea that must also align with their organisation’s priorities. An internship involves release from the workplace for up to a day a week, for up to a year to carry out a small research project. Prior formal research training is not a pre-requisite to application as individuals at all levels will be considered.

All applicants require:
• a strong interest in research,
• a commitment to the programme (including an end of internship presentation),
• full managerial support from their organisation, and
• the ability to attend supervisory meetings and training sessions.

Internships can focus on any topic but must adhere to the following key principles:
• align with an ARC NWC Theme,
• address a regional or national priority,
• involve co-production with patients/service users, and
• consider health inequalities (applicants should refer to the FOR-EQUITY webpage when considering the health inequality aspects of their applications).

We are particularly interested in applications relating to social care as we have additional funding for them.

Social Care Internship Program
ARC North West Coast (ARC NWC) has introduced a new Social Care Research Internship programme, providing a unique opportunity for social care staff to work with universities across the region. The initiative encourages participants to investigate key issues in social care that need further exploration or improvement, with the aim of benefitting both service users and staff.

Interns will receive training in research methods and ongoing support from experienced researchers. The programme also provides funding to cover costs and compensates employers for one day per week of the intern’s time (up to £6,000), allowing participants to focus on their research.

James Watson, Postdoctoral Research Associate, said:
“This is a chance for social care professionals to investigate the issues they encounter in their day-to-day work and bring forward evidence-based solutions. We often hear about challenges in the sector and in services, but this programme is about giving staff the tools and space to investigate those problems deeply, identify patterns, and work towards practical improvements. By supporting this kind of research, we’re not just building knowledge but encouraging real change that benefits both staff and those who rely on social care services.”

Danielle Christian, Postdoctoral Research Associate said:
“We want to encourage anyone with an interest in improving social care to get involved. You don’t need to be an experienced researcher to apply, all of the support and training will be there for you. It’s an opportunity to take a fresh look at long-standing issues in social care and make a meaningful difference through thoughtful impactful high quality research and collaboration.”

If you would like any further information, or to discuss potential applications and research ideas, please get in touch with Danielle (dchristian@uclan.ac.uk) or James (James.Watson2@liverpool.ac.uk).

Calls for applications for research project internships are annual.

The next application deadline is Monday 13th January 2025 at 5pm.

Please get in touch with the ARC NWC Capacity Building team at arcnwc@uclan.ac.uk for more information about internships or to book onto one of our internship online drop-in sessions.

The internship application form can be accessed by clicking here. Please send any completed application forms to the ARC NWC Capacity Building team at arcnwc@uclan.ac.uk

Examples of research project internships
• Annette O’Donoghue – “Discharge to Assess” (D2A) model – pathway 1
• Alison McCracken – “Discharge to Assess” (D2A) model – pathway 2
• Georgi Byrne-Watts – Implementation of the Life Rooms social model of health in an early years setting
• Lewis Navarro – Recovery following periprosthetic fracture
• Michelle Thirlwall – Exercise engagement in people over 60 at risk of falls
• Navakanth Rajulapati – Dynamic Support Database (DSD) and risk of admission