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Economic, Political & Social Research / Intelligence

Working in the Economic, Political and Social Research and Intelligence sector involves analysing and interpreting complex data to provide insights and recommendations that significantly influence decision-making in government, business, and non-profit organisations, empowering you to make a difference.

The sector is dynamic and fast-paced, constantly shaped by rapidly changing national and global events.  Analysts must stay up to date with current affairs and be prepared to adapt their analyses swiftly. The high-pressure nature of the work means that decisions based on your analysis can have significant economic, political, or social consequences, emphasising the need for quick thinking and adaptability.

Combining expertise from economics, political science and sociology, you will work in interdisciplinary teams in a collaborative environment.  The Intelligence sector offers a broad range of analytical, research, and strategic roles in diverse work environments. This diversity provides opportunities for individuals with different skills and interests.

Government Agencies: Analysts might work in departments like the Treasury, Foreign Affairs, or Health, providing insights that shape public policy and national strategies.

Private Sector: Companies, especially those in finance, consulting, or multinational corporations, hire analysts to assess economic trends, political risks, and social dynamics that could impact their operations.

Think Tanks & NGOs: These organisations focus on issues like human rights, climate change, or economic development, often influencing policy debates and public opinion.

Working in economic, political and social research and intelligence offers the opportunity to engage with some of the most pressing and complex issues facing societies today. It’s a career that demands intellectual rigour, adaptability, and a commitment to making informed contributions to important decisions. You'll be constantly challenged and stimulated by the dynamic nature of the work.

Sector overview and areas of work

Sector careers advice, news and insights

Find out what it’s like to work in National Security at the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), MI5, GCHQ, NCSC or NSA.

Watch the following videos to get a feel for some of the roles within the sector:

Career Zone resources

Information and links from professional bodies

Being a member of a professional body is voluntary. However, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up with what's happening in the sector. You don’t need to be a member to access lots of helpful information. 

Making contacts

Making contacts is essential for success in this and other sectors. Many jobs in this field come through networking and speculative applications (this means reaching out for opportunities that aren’t advertised). You could start by speaking with the experts, finding out what they did after graduation, and contacting them for advice using the Career Mentor Scheme or Ask An Alum.

Find out if any Exeter alumni are working in this sector that you can get in touch with to gain insights and learn more with the LinkedIn Alumni tool. 

Start networking to build contacts.  Attend events, comment on blogs and follow professionals on LinkedIn.  Attend a ‘Networking Essentials’ skills session to develop your networking skills and knowledge and explore the support around speculative applications in the ‘Job Roles’ section below.

Events

Recruitment fairs, open days, talks, and events give insights and opportunities to make contacts. Make the most of the opportunity to meet with employers and experienced sector professionals to learn about job opportunities and industry knowledge and to get inspiration for pathways to pursue.  Keep up to date with and register to attend upcoming events on Handshake. If you have not activated your account, select the Single Sign On (SSO) option and follow the instructions onscreen.

The following events and initiatives provide valuable opportunities for students and graduates to advance their careers in economics, political, and social research. Many offer online access, making them widely accessible.

  • Royal Economic Society (RES) Annual Conference: This conference is one of the largest gatherings of economists in the UK, offering sessions on economic research, policy discussions, and networking opportunities. It often includes job markets for PhD students and early-career economists.
  • Political Studies Association (PSA) Annual Conference: This UK-based event attracts political science professionals, academics, and students. It includes panels, workshops, and networking events focused on political research, social science methodologies, and policy analysis.
  • Social Research Association (SRA) Annual Conference: The SRA's flagship event in the UK covers a wide range of topics in social research, offering training workshops and sessions on new research methodologies. It is particularly useful for those looking to pursue a career in social research within the UK context.
  • Civil Service Fast Stream and Graduate Recruitment Events: These events are essential for students interested in UK government careers, including roles in economics, political analysis, and social research. They offer insights into the application process and networking with current civil servants.
  • Bright Network FESTIVAL: A major UK graduate careers fair that includes opportunities in public policy, government, and research sectors. It is an excellent place for students to meet potential employers and learn about career paths in the social sciences.
  • UK Data Service Workshops: These workshops are crucial for students interested in social and economic research. They offer training in data analysis, use of large datasets, and research methodologies relevant to the UK context. Many are available online.

Job roles

Explore some of the popular roles in the sector by visiting the job profiles below.

Economists collect, study, and analyse data to provide specialist economic advice to various organisations, including government agencies, economic consultancies, major companies, banks, financial institutions, higher education establishments, and investment groups. They use economic theories, models, and advanced data analytics to forecast trends, assess economic policies, and advise on business strategies or public policy decisions. Economists may also engage in behavioural economics, financial modelling, or economic impact assessments to support evidence-based decision-making.

As a Government Social Research Officer, you'll provide rigorous, evidence-based research to aid government ministers' and elected officials' analysis and decision-making, focusing on developing, implementing, and evaluating new and existing government policies. Your role involves working closely with policymakers, statisticians, and economists to ensure that social research insights are integrated into the policy-making process, with a particular emphasis on addressing social inequalities, public health issues, and community development.

Intelligence Analysts help keep the country secure by assessing, interpreting, and disseminating intelligence data. In the UK, your role as an intelligence analyst is to protect national security and economic well-being and to detect and prevent serious organised crime, such as terrorist attacks, cybercrime, and drug trafficking. Analysts increasingly use advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data mining, and geospatial analysis, to identify threats and provide actionable intelligence to government agencies and security services.

Policy Officers use their findings from research and analysis to advise the government, think tanks, charities, and businesses about the potential impact of policy decisions. They are involved in drafting policy proposals, conducting impact assessments, and engaging with stakeholders to ensure policies are effective and responsive to societal needs. Policy Officers may also play a key role in lobbying efforts, public consultations, and developing long-term strategic plans, often incorporating insights from data analytics and stakeholder feedback.

Political Risk Analysts examine issues such as economic conditions, crime levels, the threat of conflict, government stability and governance, trade regulations, or humanitarian and human rights issues to inform business and investment decisions or to influence national and international policymaking and strategy. Their work involves monitoring global political developments, analysing geopolitical trends, and assessing risks associated with specific countries or regions. Political risk analysts increasingly use big data, geopolitical forecasting tools, and scenario planning techniques to provide more accurate and actionable risk assessments.

Social Researchers plan, design, conduct, and manage social research projects using qualitative and quantitative methodologies to gather data on social behaviours, attitudes, and trends. They report their findings to clients and key stakeholders to influence policy decisions, shape public opinion, or guide social programmes. Social researchers may work in academia, government, NGOs, or the private sector, often using advanced statistical tools and social data analytics platforms to interpret complex social phenomena.

Career Pathways

  • Entry-Level Positions: Often include roles such as research assistants, junior analysts, or data scientists, with responsibilities focusing on data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Mid-Level Roles: As you gain experience, you might take on more responsibility, leading projects, interacting directly with clients or policymakers, and focusing on specialized areas.
  • Senior Roles: Experienced professionals often move into leadership positions such as policy advisors, chief economists, or research directors, overseeing large teams and shaping strategic directions.

Sector-specific vacancies can be found and researched through the links below.  Remember to filter job searches with keywords such as ‘intelligence’ or ‘political analyst’ if there are particular roles that interest you.  If you are undertaking general research and don’t yet have a preference for specific jobs, keep the search open and allow yourself to be inspired.

Economist 

The Civil Service and government

Intelligence 

  • MI5
  • MI6(Secret Intelligence Service)
  • GCHQ- Communications work for linguists, political analysts and IT specialist
  • Dstl- Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory

Policy and Social Research 

You can find more communication-based roles on the Politics and Government page.

Skills employers look for:

Both specialist and transferable skills are required to work within economics, political and social research and intelligence.  Many roles have a strategic, logical and analytical focus, whilst others are more research-based, requiring communication skills.

Below are just some of the skills that many of the roles in the sector require.

  • Analytical Skills: Strong ability to process and interpret complex datasets, recognizing patterns, and making informed predictions.
  • Research Skills: Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including data collection, statistical analysis, and report writing.
  • Critical Thinking: Ability to assess the validity of sources, understand biases, and construct logical arguments.
  • Communication Skills: Ability to present findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, often through reports, presentations, and briefings.
  • Subject Matter Expertise: Deep knowledge of specific regions, industries, or issues is often required. This could include understanding economic theories, political systems, or social structures.

Work experience and placements

You can develop the skills required to work in these roles and sectors, in and alongside your degree, using LinkedIn's online platforms, social media, and discussion groups. Engage with relevant discussion forums. Recruiters will be looking for evidence of your interest in the sector.

Getting a graduate role is competitive. Gaining relevant workplace experience will make your applications stand out and allow you to develop new skills and gain valuable insight into the sector.

University of Exeter Employability Schemes

These employability schemes can help you find or enhance your work experience and build valuable network connections.

  • Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be beneficial, allowing you to gain experience so try to get relevant vacation work or placements.  
  • Pathways to Marketing: A sector-specific training programme consisting of courses and a paid week-long internship in June or July each year.
  • Grand Challenges: A project week where students work in interdisciplinary groups to design solutions to real-world challenges. Develop communication and campaign skills to present ideas creatively. 
  • Ask an Alum: A fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask career questions.  
  • Career Mentor Scheme: A popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional for sector insight and one-to-one career advice and guidance over a 6-month period. 

Finding part-time work

Many students work part-time during their studies. Part-time jobs are often in the hospitality or retail sector, where you can gain transferrable interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills.  

Search for part-time work here:

  • Handshake (filter ‘part-time’ and by your location).
  • General job sites such as Find a Job or Indeed (filter on “part-time” and “Exeter”).
  • Identify and call local businesses in your local area with your CV to ask about part-time jobs.
  • Attend the part-time/casual at Streatham Campus and/or Penryn Campus.

Virtual Work Experience

  • Forage provides short virtual internships in a range of sectors, with opportunities to connect with employers.
  • The Bright Network provides virtual internships in various sectors and fast-track opportunities for graduate programmes and internships for virtual-intern alumni. Look out for the Bright Network annual June internship week.

Speculative applications (finding and approaching companies for opportunities)

As jobs are not always advertised, developing your networking skills and applying speculatively can be useful.  This means approaching companies directly for an opportunity.

  • Research and make a shortlist of companies you would like to gain experience with.
  • Identify what roles people hold in the company. Are there any exciting campaigns or projects running or coming up that you’d like to be involved in or support?
  • Create your tailored CV and cover letter, clearly outlining what you are asking of the company and highlighting what you can bring. What’s your unique offer?

For support with speculative applications, head to the Career Zone resources (under Applications > Prospects, applying for jobs) or book on to one of our regular Skills Sessions. 

Internships

Internships and work experience will enhance your experience and competitive edge when applying for graduate jobs or schemes. They are also a great way to test out what it could be like to work for different organisations across multiple sectors, really giving you a feel for whether or not you may be interested in pursuing a pathway as the next step in your career. Internships in the UK are usually, but not always, designed for undergraduate students, so do read the application criteria carefully.  

Any of Career Zone's internships with an element of office / administrative work will be useful experience if you want to work in administration or management.

Further information is here on Target Jobs: ‘What is an internship and how do I get one?’

Volunteering

Undertaking voluntary work experience will make your applications stand out and allow you to develop new skills, including communication and organisation, and gain valuable insight into the sector.

Graduate jobs and schemes

A graduate scheme and a graduate job are both employment opportunities for recent graduates but differ in structure and purpose. Competition is strong in these dynamic sectors, especially for entry-level positions.

Graduate schemes

A graduate scheme is a structured programme providing comprehensive training and development within an organisation, typically involving rotations through different departments or roles within an organisation, allowing graduates to gain a broad understanding of the business and develop diverse skills. 

Popular Graduate Schemes in the sector include:

Graduate Job Opportunities

A graduate job is an entry-level position that requires a degree. Training will be provided; however, as with any job role, it will be less formal and focused on ‘on-the-job’ learning. Graduates are typically hired for a specific role within a department with the expectation of being able to contribute to the role immediately, without the rotational experiences that are part of graduate schemes.

The following links can be useful resources for finding advertised vacancies and researching employers.

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page, and for a list of general job search engines, please visit our general job sources page. Explore further techniques and strategies for identifying and approaching potential employers on our Researching Employers page.

Make the most of our comprehensive programme of skills sessions throughout your studies on topics including networking essentials, communication skills, job hunting,  job hunting and writing an effective cover letter, to support your direct approaches.  

Further sources of support

For further advice on finding graduate opportunities, visit our Finding a Graduate Job page.

If you are an international student, visit our web pages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally.

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal. Log in using your university email address. The worldwide country guides cover everything from job search resources and CV guidelines to cultural advice and visa information. Watch a short training video on how to get the most from GoinGlobal (4 minutes 20 seconds).

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. You can gain professional qualifications after graduating, which can show your commitment to and interest in the industry. Use the sites below to research your further study options.

If you would like to pursue postgraduate study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study. If you are unsure whether further study is for you, you may wish to attend our ‘Postgraduate study: is it right for you?’ session, which runs termly. Find these advertised on Handshake.

Further information

 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Many major graduate recruiters have proactive policies and processes in recruiting graduates from diverse backgrounds. To find out the policies and attitudes of employers that you are interested in, explore their equality and diversity policies and see if they offer ‘Guaranteed Interview Schemes’ (for disabled applicants) or are recognised for their policy by such indicators as ‘Mindful Employer’ or as a ‘Stonewalls Diversity Champion’.

The UK law protects you from discrimination due to age, gender, race, religion or beliefs, disability or sexual orientation. For further information on the Equality Act and to find out where and how you are protected and what you need to do if you feel you have been discriminated against, visit the Government’s web pages on discrimination.

To learn more about how to share details of a disability with an employer and the support you can receive applying for jobs and work experience, visit our equality and diversity page.  You can find Disability Confident organisations that are actively changing behaviours and cultures within their businesses, networks and communities.

Further information

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) EDI Evidence Review: This document provides an in-depth analysis of EDI challenges and initiatives across research and innovation sectors in the UK. It highlights best practices, strategies, and frameworks for enhancing inclusivity within research environments. UKRI EDI Evidence Review.