Interning at the Institute

Miranda RushtonAfter completing my LLM in public international law, I worked as a research intern on the Public International Law Programme at the Institute from October to December 2010.

During my time at the Institute I worked on one substantive project. The Institute was commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to conduct research on the duties and powers of British consular staff. I worked under the supervision of Jill Barrett, Senior Research Fellow for Public International Law, and former FCO Legal Counsellor, in carrying out this research alongside one other researcher. From day one I was made to feel like part of the team and attended and participated in internal discussions as well as meetings at the FCO with legal advisers and Consular Directorate.

Following the completion of that project, I researched suitable topics for future research projects and events. In particular, I was involved in the development of ideas for possible research topics for the Arthur Watts Fellowship Programme, including China's practice of public international law.

My internship has given me invaluable experience of working in a research institution which is at the forefront of discussion and development of public international law. The prestigious reputation of the Institute attracts the highest quality of research commissions, researchers and visiting fellows. It gave me the opportunity to meet and work with a number of engaging and eminent public international lawyers, both from the Institute and outside it. Interns are able to attend the Institute's seminars which offer the opportunity to keep up with developments in all areas of public international law, and to hear discussion between speakers and attendees who were often directly involved in the cases or treaties being discussed.

As a research intern I was very much treated as an important part of the Institute, which has a supportive, open and friendly atmosphere, and was made to feel welcome. Interns are invited to attend the weekly staff meeting held by Professor Robert McCorquodale, the Institute Director, at which news and developments in the Institute's research, events, and publications are discussed. These meetings provide an informal opportunity to get to know the academic staff outside one's own area, as well as non-academic staff such as those from the events and publications teams.

I would strongly encourage recent LLM graduates and Phd students specialising in public international law to apply for an internship at the Institute on the Public International Law Programme.