POLI3007 South Australian Parliamentary Internship

Topic held at Parliament House. Topic co-ordinator approval is required for enrolment in this topic. Students should apply via email.

Students will be advised in writing by the end of April as to whether they are successful in gaining an internship.

The topic is jointly convened by Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Under the formal supervision of a member of the academic staff, the topic enables students to undertake an internship within the South Australian Parliament attached to the office of a Member of Parliament or, in a few cases, with an agency or department of the South Australian Public Service or other organisation.

Students undertake reading and research in association with the designated Member of Parliament, government agency or organisation and are not expected to present regularly at the office of the person to whom they are interned. Research projects require approval by both the academic convener and the Member of Parliament or an officer/s of the government agency or organisation. Students can expect assistance from their academic supervisor regarding how to approach the project.

This topic aims to provide upper-year students with the opportunity to work closely with a member of the South Australian parliament, within a State Government agency or other organisation such as Business SA or Unions SA on a research project negotiated between the student and the member/agency. The topic seeks to develop the capacity of students to undertake independent applied research on social, economic, and environmental policy issues, and contemporary political issues. These may involve comparing Australian practices with those in other countries and/or other Australian States. Students are able to experience the working life demands of a researcher employed by an organisation engaged with canvassing policy options and drawing conclusions to inform future strategies. This experience also offers students unique access to some of the resources and networks not usually available to them. Students present a report for lodgement in the parliamentary library [or with the supervising organisation] where it may inform debate on the issues that ultimately shape legislation or policy development.

1. Appreciate the demands of applied research and problem solving
2. Understand a brief set by their supervising MP or agency officer and the making of public, social, economic and environmental policy in a contemporary setting
3. Conduct independent research and critically evaluate issues in responsive and accountable ways
4. Pursue research questions creatively and learn to build networks required to inform original research
5. Produce a major report articulating the key issues and making recommendations for action while respecting scholarly conventions and integrity
6. Verbally communicate their analysis and findings to fellow interns, academic supervisors and supervising MPs and/or agency officers