Current Interns

Sarah Hewes is currently pursuing an MSc in Social Policy and Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Before embarking on her current course of study, Sarah lived for several years in New York City where she held a fellowship in health policy at a national non-profit organization, in addition to working with several other civil service organizations in the fields of HIV/AIDS and homelessness. Additionally, Sarah has completed research and worked in Brazil and Thailand. Apart from academic interests, Sarah studied opera for a number of years and continues to sing in a farrago of settings. Sarah's areas of interest include healthcare and the influence of ‘culture' and identity in accessing and identifying social services provisions, topics she is researching at the Young Foundation where she is involved in the Mapping Britain's Needs project.

Mehul Doshi is currently pursuing a MA in Culture, Globalisation and the City at Goldsmiths, University of London. He has spent the previous nine months working part-time for an enterprise agency for the London Borough of Croydon. Mehul studied International Relations (BA Hons.) at the University of Exeter prior to his work at local authorities. Mehul has previously interned for the Runnymede Trust working on economic inclusion and education. At the Young Foundation Mehul is working on the Neighbourhood Action Network in the Local Innovation team.

Laura Gisby is studying for an MSc in Development Studies at SOAS, inspired by several periods of travel and volunteering in Latin America, after completing an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Language at the University of Oxford. She is currently interning for the London Collaborative team whilst writing up her dissertation on the Zapatistas, and working part-time as an English tutor and at an East-London based arts education initiative, in research and communications. She eventually hopes to build a career in policy research, with a particular interest in working with young people, which has been the main focus of the range of volunteering opportunities she has pursued.

Christina Acosta is currently pursuing an MSc in Building and Urban Design in Development at University College London, where she is focusing on Housing Policies for Sustainable Urban Development. As part of her degree she spent the previous six weeks researching urban regeneration projects in Istanbul, where she collaborated with NGOs and neighbourhood organisations to propose alternative solutions to evictions currently going on in the city. Christina has a background in architecture, in the past she worked for a consultancy office in a Local Government agency in Mexico. At the Young Foundation Christina is working on the Building Sustainable Communities project in the Local Innovation team.

Patricia Keegan has just finished her PhD in Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at Cambridge. Patricia's undergraduate degree was in Physics, where she focused on Biophysics and finally branched into Physiology. Aside from her studies, Patricia spends much of her spare time training. She rowed in the Boatrace and is currently planning a trip to cycle to base camp Everest. Following her internship, Patricia hopes to embark on a career in Healthcare policy. At the Young Foundation Patricia is working with the Health Launchpad team.

Theo Hessing graduated in 2008 with a 1^st in Philosophy and Politics from the University of Bristol. His dissertation looked at the effects of privatization on the political freedoms of impoverished communities and the rights of the marginalized in the wake of disasters. He will be starting an MA in Conflict, Security and Development at King's College London in September. In 2006 he studied and spent time with community-based social initiatives in Los Angeles, focussing on the reintegration and employment of ex-gang members and developing alternative violence-prevention interventions. He is currently working as a research intern on the Innovation, Justice and Youth program.

Athina Ioannidis is currently pursuing an MSc in Public Policy and Philosophy at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her undergraduate degree was in Philosophy and Economics, which she obtained from University College London. Athina has previous research and public policy work experience, including work with the Director of Public Health in Wales and an internship position in India. She is also part of the Widening Participation Scheme, volunteering in inner city schools in the London Borough of Camden. Her role at The Young Foundation is in the Local Innovation team, where she will be working on the Wellbeing Project.

Felicity Jones has just completed her second year reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Oxford. In her spare time at university, she has co-coordinated the Christ Church Home Learning Scheme, a tutoring programme that supports around 50 children in the local community. She is also Secretary of Target Schools, a student-run organisation aimed at debunking myths to increase diversity at Oxford. Aside from this interest in education and access, Felicity enjoys playing the piano, harp and - more recently - the accordion. She is working within the Launchpad team of the Young Foundation, and hopes that her internship will provide inspiration for her thesis, which is based on Michael Young's The Rise of the Meritocracy.

Rachel Sturrock has recently completed a degree in Social Anthropology at Cambridge University.  Her dissertation focused on multiculturalism and planning policy in Stamford Hill, North London, using an ethnographic method to work with local community groups.  Rachel has previously worked for the Digital Media Company Illumina helping create an innovative website supporting 9-11 year olds in Citizenship lessons, and would like to take these interests forward with her work at the Young Foundation.  She is currently working on the Local Wellbeing project and the Innovation Catalyst in the Local Innovation team.

Reema Mehta has just finished her second year reading English Language and Literature at Oxford. For her course she has recently been researching the spread, and some of its effects, of English as a language and a nationality. She is co-editor of a student publication, The Owl Journal, which publishes articles by undergraduates, graduates and experts on a wide span of topics, ranging from political graffiti in China to the paintings of Goya. Reema is also interested in photography, and has recently tried a spot of trampolining. At the Young Foundation she is working within the Research team and is currently looking at methods for social innovation.

Katrina Hamlin has just finished a degree in Classics at Brasenose College, Oxford. She is about to begin studying and teaching at Sichuan Normal University in Chengdu, China. Her internship reflects her great interest in this country which stems from previous experience travelling and tutoring there. She will spend most of her time with the School of Everything, who hope to expand to China, and will also work on the Support My Parent project in Launchpad. Katrina's other interests include the arts and for the last three years she has been involved with the Oxford-based Pater Society, most recently as President and previously as editor of their magazine.