Sector Guides: Politics, Social Research and Think Tanks: Politics, social research and think tanks

Roles in politics, social research and think tanks

Working in politics can involve lobbying, gathering information on policy, and administration to support political activity. The main employers are charities, non-governmental organisations, parties, trade unions and companies.

Politician's assistant
Supporting a politician with administration tasks
Political party agent
Supporting and advising politicians
Public affairs consultant
Advising clients on political and public policy, they work for work for charities, private companies, trade unions, and campaigning groups.
Politician
Representing people living in a constituency and make decisions that affect the country. They form, decide on, and implement policy
Social researcher
Design, perform and analyse social research to poll the public and inform policy. They can be employed by political parties, in think tanks, or for social research bodies
Policy officer
Link between policy makers and groups who have to adhere to policy. They inform their organisations about policy, and present their organisation's case to governments
Trade Union research officer

Think Tanks

Routes into think tanks
Useful overview, including qualifications, work experience and jobhunting strategies. From LSE
Think tanks
Excellent guide to the sector, including a list of think tanks, entry points, skills and experience, and getting a job. From University of Oxford
Smart Thinking
Research, events and job listings from leading UK think tanks. Includes a list of think tanks and careers rsources
How to start a career in policy and think tanks
Recorded Zoom session from Smart Thinking, November 2021

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