More photos of this internship may be found here.
Join a think tank in India and contribute to unbiased and objective research fueling and influencing policy debates and change. The Centre for Public Policy Research in Kochi carries out extensive and in-depth research on current economic, social, and political issues. Research areas include governance, education, health, law, livelihood, strategy and security, and urban reforms.
Interns are invited to join current research within one of CPPR’s study centers (Centre for Urban Studies, Centre for Comparative Studies, or Centre for Strategic Studies) or support public relations, project management, and social media. This internship is a great opportunity to gain valuable hands-on research experience under the guidance of field experts.
The Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) is a think tank dedicated to extensive and in-depth research on current economic, social, and political issues. CPPR studies public policies with a dedicated, objective, and unbiased approach. The core purpose of CPPR is facilitating ‘solutions to change’. They believe that combined efforts and focused actions are crucial to the realization of such a process. The conscious efforts of socially responsible citizens are essential to set the pace of change in society.
CPPR strives to initiate policy changes by publishing their research and by framing policy debates and discussions on various subjects. CPPR’s research team has carried out research projects and worked on policy papers for government bodies, private institutions, and academia; many of which have had a profound impact at the governance level. Research areas include:
CPPR welcomes interns for 10+ weeks to support current research projects. Interns are integrated into the lively work environment and encouraged to contribute ideas during discussions and debates. Interns will be able to apply and develop their research skills and work on meaningful projects. There may also be opportunities to interact with respected experts, organizations, and government institutions. Interns may also have a paper published on the CPPR website or blog.
Research interns will join one of CPPR’s focus study centers depending on their interests and current projects. Students with an interest or experience in public/media relations, social media, and outreach may also work in those areas.
Centre for Urban Studies
Students with an interest/experience in digital media, animation, and photography are also encouraged to apply!
Centre for Comparative Studies
Centre for Strategic Studies
The CPPR office is located in Kochi, Kerala. Interns will work Monday through Friday from 10am – 6pm, and attend Saturday morning sessions (roughly 9:30am-12:30pm) including presentations, discussion, and debate. There is no session on the second Saturday of each month. Interns should plan to attend all Saturday sessions, although exceptions may be made with advance notice.
Students from all fields of study are encouraged to apply. A background in international studies, South Asian studies or knowledge of India’s culture, history, and political environment is helpful but not required. Students with a specific research interest should have some background in their field.
Candidates should have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience in research is preferred, but students will also develop these during the internship.
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and highly adaptable.
This is an English language internship.
Candidates will need to submit a 500 word essay identifying their preferred topic(s) of research. More information is available in the application.
Budgeting Note: Estimated costs are based on typical internship-related costs and a modest standard of living. Each intern’s costs will vary based on lifestyle choices (eating out vs. cooking, taking public transportation vs. taxis) and recreational spending (travelling on days off, hobbies, etc).
Interns will be responsible for paying a one-time fee of USD $100 upon arrival. This fee helps to offset the costs associated with local support for the internship.
CPPR will provide interns with a list of suggested accommodation near the office. These options are not connected to CPPR, but have been used by past interns and are considered safe, well-located, and affordable. Shared accommodation is typically around $150/month and single accommodation is $250/month. Interns are also welcome to identify and arrange their own housing.
This is a new internship opportunity for IE3 Global students as of 2019. However, CPPR has been welcoming interns for more than 15 years. Check back soon for more information from our interns!
Summer: January 25
Fall: April 15
Winter: September 1
Spring: November 15
- Background in international studies, South Asian studies, political science, or research encouraged
- Interest and experience in the preferred area of research preferred
- Strong communication and research skills