Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities

Host organisation: CILIP Scotland

Project title: Supporting a campaign for libraries in Scotland

Project description

This internship will involve supporting a library campaign being ran by CILIP Scotland in the lead up to local elections in May. The intern will gather evidence and carry out small to medium scale research and case study gathering that will back up the key messages of the campaign.

Outputs

  • Work with CILIPS team and placement students on campaign development and online content.
  • Gather case studies via existing content or by speaking to practitioners.
  • Help build an evidence page to support the campaign.
  • Carry out additional research to support campaign (if time allows).

In person/remote/hybrid

Remote.

This will mostly be remote with an optional initial meeting in the CILIPS office or online.

Benefits to the researcher

The research intern will be given training on the operations of a charity and advocacy body, and gain research, content development, and interview skills. They will have the chance to learn more about the library and information sector in Scotland and the people who work in it.

Key relationships

The research intern will work with the CILIPS team and board, and will also likely engage with some professionals who work in the wider sector.

Subject areas

This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:

Cultural and Museum Studies; Cultural History; Journalism; New Media/Web-Based Studies; Political Philosophy; Children’s Literature; Literary and Cultural Theory.

Person specification

A1. Knowledge Base
  • Essential: Research methods – theoretical knowledge; Research methods – Practical application; Information Seeking; Academic literacy and numeracy.
  • Desirable: Subject knowledge; Information literacy and management.  
A2. Cognitive Abilities
  • Essential: Critical thinking; Evaluating; Problem solving.
  • Desirable: Analysing; Synthesising.
A3. Creativity
  • Essential: Inquiring minds; Intellectual insight. 
  • Desirable: Innovation; Argument construction; Intellectual risk. 
B1. Personal qualities
  • Essential: Enthusiasm; Perseverance; Integrity; Responsibility.
  • Desirable: Self-confidence; Self-reflection. 
B2. Self management
  • Essential: Preparation and prioritisation; Commitment to research; Time management; Work-life balance.
  • Desirable: Responsiveness to change. 
B3. Professional & career development
  • Essential: Continuing professional development; Responsiveness to opportunities; Networking. 
  • Desirable: Career management; Reputation and esteem. 
C1. Professional conduct
  • Essential: Health and Safety; Ethics, principles and sustainability; Legal requirements; Respect and confidentiality; Attribution and co-authorship; Appropriate practice.
  • Desirable: IPR and copyright. 
C2. Research management
  • Essential: Research Strategy; Project planning and delivery.
  • Desirable: Risk management. 
D1. Working with others
  • Essential: Team working; Collegiality; Collaboration; Equality and diversity.
D2. Communication & dissemination
  • Essential: Communication methods; Communication media.
D3. Engagement & impact
  • Essential: Policy; Society and culture. 
  • Desirable: Public Engagement.

First published: 28 September 2026

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