Volunteer Opportunity: Investment Portfolio Researchers
Every other year, People & Planet undertake sector-wide research into the investment portfolios of UK universities. This involves analysing universities’ responses to our Freedom of Information requests, which are focused on revealing which companies they invest their money into. Once completed, this published research informs and shapes our uk-wide student campaigns Divest Borders and Fossil Free, and is used by organisers in the People & Planet network and beyond. For Fossil Free the information feeds through to our online Fossil Free Scorecards platform.
This year, People & Planet want to give student volunteers another opportunity to undertake this analysis alongside us. We’ve worked with student volunteers before on this research and their contributions and insights have been invaluable to the process!
Training will be provided and no previous experience is necessary, just a curious mind, with an interest in gaining skills in research, basic finance, and investment portfolio analysis. The research will take place online from Tuesday 2nd December to Friday 6th December, 9.30am-5.30pm. You don't need to be able to attend for the whole 4 days - although if possible that would be ideal. You do need to be able to attend the training session 9.30am-1pm Tuesday 2nd December to participate in any of the following research days.
What will you gain from this experience?
In addition to meeting cool, like-minded people and making a tangible contribution to the success of our campaigns, we will provide you with:
- A certificate of achievement
- Real-world research experience
- Developed understanding of Freedom of Information requests
- Developed understanding of investment and finance
The skills and experience gained could be valuable for a number of career paths, including working in NGOs, corporate sustainability, estates management, higher education policy making, research and campaigning among many others.
Sound like something you want to be involved in?
Then send your CV, a completed equal opportunities form and answers to the questions below to volunteer@peopleandplanet.org by Sunday 23rd November at 12pm. Please answer each question with a maximum of 200 words each. A couple of sentences will suffice!
Name / University / Course
1. Why are you interested in participating in People & Planet's investments research?
2. What skills and experience would you bring to the role? (this could be anything from research experience to problem-solving skills)
3. Why is it important that our universities move their money out of the border industry and/or fossil fuel industry? (Check out our website and/or action guides for support with this question!)
4. Can you be available for the whole week? If not, which days can you be available? (this is important for when we prepare which and how many universities you'll be allocated for the research week)