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Imperial has launched a paid internship programme that gives students and graduates the opportunity to gain professional work experience and skills.

Developed and delivered by the College’s Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI), the programme is aimed at individuals with limited work experience, in recognition of the difficulties that many face when starting out their career without having worked or interned.

The initiative, the Julia Anderson Training Programme, invites trainees to join and contribute to one of a diverse range of projects at the Institute, from data science to education.

"We hope this will catalyse the early careers of participants and give them the opportunity to make a real impact in the global health sphere." Professor Ara Darzi Institute of Global Health Innovation

The programme was named in memory of a former valued member of the Imperial community, Julia Anderson (former IGHI Senior Advisor and Department Manager for Surgery & Cancer), who left a lasting legacy thanks to her dedication to supporting others and encouraging professional development at the College.

Trainees will join the Institute on a short-term basis, working on a three-month paid placement, making it the first such programme that the College has offered. The programme will help trainees develop valuable workplace skills and knowledge that can be applied to future roles, while also offering mentors to help with personal and professional development.

Professor Ara Darzi, co-director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation, said: “We are delighted to launch this exciting new programme which we hope will catalyse the early careers of participants and give them the opportunity to make a real impact in the global health sphere. It is with honour that we have named the initiative in memory of our late colleague, Julia, a passionate advocate and supporter of professional development and a valued colleague and friend.

“Julia will continue to leave a lasting personal and professional legacy with this programme and we look forward to welcoming trainees into our growing and ambitious Institute.”

Supporting diversity and inclusion

"This is an important part of broader efforts at Imperial to dismantle barriers to talented people from all backgrounds and to build a truly inclusive university." Prof Stephen Curry Assistant Provost for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The programme encourages applications from anyone who is interested, including people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBTQ+, and those who have a disability or access needs.

Professor Stephen Curry, Imperial’s Assistant Provost for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said: “This is a very welcome initiative and is an important part of broader efforts at Imperial to dismantle barriers to talented people from all backgrounds and to build a truly inclusive university.”

The programme was developed in collaboration with Imperial’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre, HR and Imperial as One to ensure that the application process is accessible and reaches a diverse pool of potential applicants and people from underrepresented backgrounds in academia. Applications will be anonymised by name and university to reduce potential bias.

"We hope to create a proactive, non-tokenistic marketing strategy to reach people from underrepresented backgrounds in academia." Clarissa Gardner Institute of Global Health Innovation

Clarissa Gardner, Research Assistant at IGHI, who led the development of the programme, said: “As a staff member and student from a Black Caribbean background, I know what it’s like to feel that missing sense of belonging in academia. With this initiative we hope to create an accessible application process for people at the early stage of their career, and a proactive, non-tokenistic marketing strategy to reach people from underrepresented backgrounds in academia.”

Applications are now open on the IGHI website. Click here to find out more and view our current training opportunities.