Call for Summer 2013 Interns

The Think Tanks and Civil Society Program (TTCSP) runs a small, highly selective internship program for students (grad and undergrad) and recent graduates interested in gaining first-hand experience in public policy research in domestic and international affairs.

Candidates must be highly motivated and able to work independently in a demanding research environment. The research intern positions require excellent research and analysis skills as well as data collection and project management skills. Candidates must be proficient in both oral and written English. Knowledge of Chinese, French, Spanish and Arabic is a plus but not a prerequisite for most projects. Internships are unpaid and based in our Philadelphia office on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Virtual internships can be arranged on a case by case basis. Interns work independently and in teams. We do our best to match the qualifications and interests of our interns with research and consulting projects to which they can contribute most.

This is an excellent opportunity for those students who are planning to attend graduate school in international relations, public policy, law school and/or work in a think tank or international organization. Ideal for International Relations, Political Science, English, Environment, Global Health and Development majors and those with an interest in public policy, foreign policy and security studies.  While the program focuses on think tanks and policy oriented NGOs the skills acquired can be applied to the fields of business, law, international affairs and consulting.

The duration of the internship is from  May 21 to July 26th.

Students seeking a more in depth experience can work on major research projects and serve as a project lead for a research project, publication or conference. This is an excellent opportunity for those students looking to gain work experience before entering graduate school or for those who want to position themselves for full time paid employment at a law firm, think tank or consulting firm. These internships require a minimum of 10-15 hours a week.

The work schedule is flexible with the vast majority of the assignments being done off-site at a research library. Interns are entitled to attend (free of charge) conferences and lectures on domestic and foreign policy topics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, World Affairs Council and the University of Pennsylvania.

Interested in Interning for TTCSP?

Send an email to Jmcgann@sas.upenn.edu and include a copy of your resume with a brief statement of purpose outlining what you expect from an internship and what you would bring to TTCSP. Also provide a short statement outlining how the internship fits into your career and educational plans.  Acceptance to the Program will be made on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. 

Think Tank and Civil Societies Program

The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) of the International Relations Program at the University of Pennsylvania examines the role policy institutes play in governments and in civil societies around the world.  Often referred to as the ‘think tank’s think tank,’ TTCSP examines the evolving role and character of public policy research organizations.  Over the last 25 years the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program has laid the foundation for a global initiative that will help bridge the gap between knowledge and policy in critical policy areas such as international peace and security, globalization and governance, international economics, environment, information and society, poverty alleviation and health. This international collaborative effort is designed to establish regional and international networks of policy institutes and communities that will improve policy making and strengthen democratic institutions and civil societies around the world.  The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program works with some of the leading scholars and practitioners from think tanks and universities in a variety of collaborative efforts and programs.  If you would like additional information about our publications and programs contact:

James G. McGann, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, International Relations Program
Director, Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program
University of Pennsylvania
635 Williams Hall
255 S. 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6304

Main Office: 215 898-0452
Direct Line: 215 746-2928
Mobile: 215 206-1799
Email: jmcgann@sas.upenn.edu