The main focus of the placement will be to support work on strand 3 of this review on New Scots Delivery: Scotland’s humanitarian response. The purpose of this stage of the review is to make recommendations about principles and processes to guide any future Scottish response to emerging international crises affecting New Scots. The work is likely to be primarily documentary review of evidence from a range of humanitarian schemes (Syria, Afghanistan, Hong Kong British National Overseas Welcome Programme) and incorporating lessons from Scotland’s Ukraine response and work already undertaken through development of the New Scots Strategy and Delivery Plan (NSDP). It will also involve some analysis of interviews with stakeholders. There will also be opportunities to meet with a range of colleagues involved in humanitarian programmes in Scotland. The report will be published in autumn 2026 and will provide further evidence to inform delivery of actions in the NSDP.

The internship will be hosted by the Office of the Chief Social Policy Adviser (OCSPA) and will be overseen by Professor Linda Bauld and a small and collaborative team of social researchers. The internship will involve working with policy officials and analysts in the Scottish Government and the work will be supported by COSLA and the Scottish Refugee Council.