Many students can’t wait to see the back of their research dissertations – but not me. I found conducting my own research one of the most rewarding elements of my degrees.
My undergraduate dissertation examined women’s experiences with attitudes towards menstruation. I surveyed women aged 21 to 92 about topics such sex education, the marketing of menstruation products and the frequency with which menstruation was discussed within their families. Respondents indicated that menstruation has become less taboo, in turn causing women less shame and embarrassment. I’m proud to say that this research earnt me a place on the Dean’s List.
Then, during my Masters, my dissertation was a feminist review of student sex work policies at UK universities. After reviewing relevant literature, I interviewed several student sex workers about their motivations and how their universities could best support them. I also interviewed some student unions who have established student sex work policies and analysed the University of Leicester’s student sex work policy (the only whole-university policy in the country). I concluded that these policies often do reflect contemporary feminist discourse by acknowledging that, while some women feel forced into the industry for purely financial reasons, others actively choose to participate in sex work. I identified features of effective policies (for example, supporting students who want to leave the industry as well as those that don’t) and enabling factors for establishing a policy to begin with (including the ‘nutcracker’ effect of having a vocal spokesperson from the community and senior ambassador in a senior position at the university). I received the Titmuss Outstanding Dissertation Award for this research.
I graduated from the London School of Economics with an MSc in International Social and Public Policy in 2022. While considering my next steps, I spent a year working in a nursery and travelling South East Asia.
I found conducting research for my degrees rewarding because it involved exploring complex, real-world issues. I wanted to try and find a job that would enable me to continue doing this. I was therefore drawn to SQW’s Research Consultant job advert. I liked the fact that SQW’s work was very ‘applied’ (i.e., answering real, timely and sometimes urgent questions), and that it covered such a wide range of areas, whilst focussing on real-world impact.
I was excited (and a bit nervous!) to start my role in September 2023. The induction process was paced to enable new Research Consultants (or, as we call them, ‘RCs’) to learn about the company and its approaches to conducting research and analysis, while also getting involved in ‘live’ projects. Before long, I was observing and analysing consultations for SQW’s evaluation of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Impact Programme and development of East Sussex’s Economic Strategy.
At SQW, I’ve been able to follow my interests. For example, my experience of working in a nursery left me an interest in education and youth policy, and I’ve been able to develop this interest through supporting SQW’s Youth Enrichment project for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and our evaluation of Ark Start nurseries – which has involved stepping back into nursery classrooms! However, I’ve also loved learning about areas which – for me – are entirely new. For example, I helped conduct a rapid literature review for the Care Quality Commission exploring Soft Signals (qualitative early warning signs of poor care) to inform their regulatory processes.
SQW is a supportive place to work. The RC Development Programme provides training in ‘core’ elements of the role (including relating to methods) and sessions take place across SQW’s offices. Not only does this help you acquire the skills and knowledge needed for the role, but it’s also great way to get to know other RCs.
Likewise, Proposition Days are held each year, in a different city each time. SQW has three proposition areas which, internally, we call ‘Spat Prop’ (Spatial), ‘Inno Prop’ (Innovation) and ‘HESSC’ (Health, Education, Skills and Social Care). These relate to SQW’s core business areas. The Proposition Days bring everyone working in these areas together to review opportunities and challenges (and spend some time socialising!).
I also support the firm’s business development through searching for relevant tenders and highlighting those that I think are worth further consideration to my colleagues. This has helped me learn more about the sorts of interests and priorities our clients have, and how these evolve over time.
In a nutshell, work at SQW is varied and interesting: some days I’m conducting interviews; sometimes I’m analysing secondary data; sometimes I’m visiting clients or attending events. SQW believes that good public policy can make a positive impact on society, and it’s a great place to work if you’re inquisitive and like to understand how and why things work.