AMS Science Policy Internship - Tamara Humphries

Thanks to the flexible funding, I was able to undertake a three‑month Science Policy Internship at the Academy of Medical Sciences in London as part of the MRC Policy Internship Scheme. During my placement, I joined the UK policy team and contributed to a wide range of projects across both UK and international policy. This experience allowed me to gain first‑hand insight into the world of science policy and to better understand how research conducted in the laboratory can inform government decision‑making, ultimately impacting millions of people.

I primarily worked on the Academy’s flagship Prevention project, supporting the UK health system’s shift from treatment to prevention, a key priority of the Government’s NHS 10‑Year Plan. As part of this work, I attended numerous meetings with key stakeholders and experts across a range of fields, including health economics and infectious diseases. I also contributed to an in-depth review into current prevention programmes across the UK, assessing the effectiveness of different prevention models in major health areas such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This work was particularly eye‑opening, highlighting the significant challenges facing the adoption of a prevention‑focused system, including limited funding, infrastructure constraints, and missed opportunities to harness emerging innovations, such as the potential role of genomics.

In addition to my work on the Prevention project, I also supported the planning and delivery of two workshops. These included an industry‑focused workshop on preclinical trials, which brought together experts from academia, industry and regulatory bodies, and a patient and public involvement workshop aimed at supporting meaningful patient engagement and ensuring that patient perspectives inform policy development.

I was also fortunate to be invited back to attend the launch event for the Prevention project, where I was able to see how my contributions had helped shape the final outputs. My research was published in a project flyer, which was particularly rewarding. Attending the event alongside leaders in research and government, including Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, was an inspiring experience highlighting the value of science policy in driving real change.

Overall, the internship was an enriching experience and provided valuable insight into what a career in science policy entails. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in policy. While challenging, the experience immerses you in a completely different world and way of working, tackling new and complex problems that required a different way of thinking and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I learned a great deal from the team I worked with, and the experience allowed me to further develop my research, communication and critical thinking skills.

The flexible funding supported not only my stipend but also contributed towards my accommodation costs, enabling me to relocate to London. This support was essential in allowing me to fully engage with both my role and the wider team, and to make the most of the internship experience.