Host organisation: Scottish Funding Council
Project title: SFC case studies database: options appraisal and outline development for a searchable repository of case studies from Scotland's colleges and universities
Project description

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is Scotland's tertiary education authority. We are responsible for sustaining the provision of higher and further education in Scotland. We use public money to fund colleges, universities and other tertiary education establishments. This funding covers a wide range of activities including: teaching and learning; skills and apprenticeships, student support and participation; research, innovation and knowledge exchange; data collection and dissemination; national quality assurance and enhancement processes; capital and digital infrastructure for the sector; and strategic change, responsive provision and research priorities.

As part of our work, SFC gathers a wide and ever-increasing range of reports and case studies describing the work and achievements built on the funds we allocate. To ensure best use of these materials, including demonstration of the benefits of the activity supported, we believe we need to establish a searchable repository which will allow us to identify appropriate illustrations for a variety of purposes. As a first stage this should be for internal use, but there is interest in being able to make this publicly available.

This project will lay the foundations for a robust case study database that enables SFC to:

  • Organise case studies with consistent metadata and tagging
  • Support both internal and external access, with appropriate confidentiality controls
  • Enable extraction and export of case studies for various uses, including ministerial briefings, Scottish Government reporting, and public communications
  • Ensure compliance with data protection and information governance standards

The database will serve as a strategic tool to enhance transparency, showcase impact, and support evidence-based decision-making across the sector.

An intern will lead the initial phase of this project, with responsibilities including:

  • Conducting stakeholder engagement to gather requirements
  • Mapping existing case study sources and formats
  • Outlining a database structure and tagging framework
  • Exploring integration options with existing SFC systems and publishing platforms
  • Exploration of options for delivery
  • Prototyping and testing the database solution
  • Developing guidance for users and administrators

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-impact, cross-functional initiative that supports SFC’s strategic goals and sector-wide collaboration.

Outputs
  1. Stakeholder requirements summary: A short report capturing input from internal teams and external stakeholders on desired features, access needs, and use cases for the database.
  2. Case study inventory and mapping: A consolidated list of existing case studies across SFC processes, including source, format, and metadata.
  3. Tagging and metadata framework: A proposed structure for tagging and categorising case studies consistently, including fields for confidentiality, theme, funding stream, institution, and impact area.
  4. Database prototype: A working prototype (e.g. in SharePoint, Airtable, or another suitable platform) that demonstrates:
    1. Search and filter functionality
    2. Confidentiality markings
    3. Export options (PDF, Excel, HTML)
    4. Internal and external access controls
  5. User guidance and documentation: A draft user guide for uploading, tagging, and retrieving case studies, including governance and data protection considerations.
  6. Recommendations report

A final report summarising:

  • Key findings and stakeholder feedback
  • Technical options and constraints
  • Suggested next steps for implementation and scaling, including options for delivery
  • Opportunities for integration with existing SFC systems and publishing workflows
Location
Hybrid. SFC operates from an office in Haymarket, Edinburgh. Staff are expected to be present in the office at least 3 days per month, but the majority of work is conducted remotely. Fully in-person is possible, fully remote is not.
Benefits to the researcher

This is a discrete project providing practical application of skills in Library and Information Management.

Working with SFC provides an opportunity to understand our role as a national body, engaging with Scottish Government, Scotland's college and universities, and representative bodies, and also our work with funding bodies in other parts of the UK in areas such as the Research Excellence Framework.

Key benefits include:

  • Project management experience — The intern will take ownership of a defined project from scoping through to delivery, gaining hands-on experience in planning, stakeholder engagement, prototyping, and reporting.
  • Digital and data skills development — The role will involve designing and testing a database solution, applying metadata and tagging frameworks, and exploring integration with existing systems—building practical skills in digital tools, data structuring, and information governance.
  • Policy and public sector insight — By working across teams and engaging with external stakeholders, the intern will gain a deeper understanding of how public funding is allocated, assured, reported, and communicated, particularly in the context of research and capital investment.
  • Communication and collaboration — The intern will develop skills in gathering requirements, presenting findings, and producing clear documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Contribution to a legacy product — The intern’s work will lay the foundation for a long-term resource that supports SFC’s strategic goals and sector-wide engagement—providing a strong example of impact for future CVs or interviews.
  • Mentorship and professional development — The intern will be supported by experienced colleagues, with opportunities for feedback, learning, and exposure to wider digital enablement initiatives within SFC.

We would expect the intern to be located within the Research & Innovation team. The likely timing will allow the opportunity to observe elements of our work on university Research Assurance & Accountability returns and allocation of funds to universities, including potential attendance at our Research & Knowledge Exchange Committee.

Key relationships

Policy and analytics colleagues across SFC, including Research & Innovation, Assurance & Outcomes, and Communications teams. Also Cyber Risk & Compliance and Digital Enablement leads, and Strategic Funding and Evaluation teams.

Within the project, opportunities to engage with college and university reporting leads and with Scottish Government colleagues - those who provide the case studies and those who receive the reports which make use of the case studies.

Engagement with other bodies working with similar databases, likely to include UKRI, Research England (who hold the impact database used for REF 2021) and universities.

Timescale

Start date (or must start by): 12th January 2026

End date (or must end by): 31st March 2026

Work structure: Flexible

Subject areas

This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:

Information and Knowledge Management; Records Management; Information Science and Retrieval; Library Studies.

Person specification

A1. Knowledge Base
  • Essential: Information seeking; Information literacy and management.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
  • Essential: Analysing; Synthesising.
  • Desirable: Evaluating; Problem Solving.
A3. Creativity
  • Desirable: Inquiring minds; Innovation.
B1. Personal qualities
  • Essential: Integrity; Responsibility.
  • Desirable: Enthusiasm.
B2. Self management
  • Essential: Preparation and prioritisation; Time management.
B3. Professional & career development
  • Desirable: Networking.
C1. Professional conduct
  • Essential: Ethics, principles and sustainability; Respect and confidentiality.
  • Desirable: Health and Safety; IPR and copyright; Appropriate practice. 
C2. Research management
  • Desirable: Project planning and delivery.
C3. Finance, funding & resources
  • Desirable: Infrastructure and resources.
D1. Working with others
  • Essential: Collegiality; Team working; Collaboration.
  • Desirable: Influence and leadership.
D2. Communication & dissemination
  • Desirable: Communication methods; Communication media.
D3. Engagement & impact
  • Desirable: Public engagement; Policy; Society and culture.

First published: 9 October 2025

<< Internships and Artist Residencies 2026