The current opportunity is available for current Manchester Met students from the Department of Sociology and Criminology, to apply you must be based in the UK for the duration of the role.
This role is help to develop two sets of targeted harm‑reduction advice for:
Young people aged 16–18 who are using ketamine, and
Young adults aged 18–25 who are using non‑prescribed opioids (e.g., OxyContin) to self‑medicate or manage stimulant comedowns.
To ensure this advice is appropriate, relevant and accessible, the messaging will be informed through targeted qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups with young people across Greater Manchester. This co‑production approach will ensure the information reflects what young people want to know, how they understand drug‑related risks, and the formats they prefer for receiving harm‑reduction guidance.
The internship will involve working closely with academic staff from the Drugs, Policy and Social Change (DPSC) research group and local drug services. The role will include:
Developing research questions and discussion guides
Recruiting and engaging young people through partner services, youth settings and community networks
Conducting interviews and focus groups with 16–25‑year‑olds
Collecting and analysing qualitative data
Supporting the development of harm‑reduction messages and materials shaped directly by the insights generated.
This internship offers hands‑on experience in applied drug research, youth engagement, harm‑reduction practice and co‑production with frontline services, contributing directly to a public‑health initiative with regional impact.
Dates: 18 May 2026 - 3rd July 2026
Hours of Work: 6 - 10 hours per week
Students completing this internship would develop:
Experience conducting real‑world qualitative research, including designing interview/focus‑group questions, collecting data, and supporting analysis.
Practical skills in engaging young people, particularly around sensitive topics such as drug use, harm reduction and wellbeing.
Experience working with frontline services, including drug and alcohol services, youth services and community organisations.
Enhanced understanding of current drug trends affecting 16–25‑year‑olds in Greater Manchester, including ketamine and non‑prescribed opioid use.
Applied knowledge of harm‑reduction principles and how evidence translates into health messaging and intervention design.
Co‑production and partnership‑working skills, collaborating closely with academics and practitioners to shape resources for real‑world use.
Project management and organisational skills, including recruitment, scheduling, documentation and time management.
Experience contributing to public‑health resources, helping develop harm‑reduction messaging for GMCA.
Improved communication skills, both one‑to‑one (interviews) and within multi‑agency professional environments.
Insight into academic research processes, ethics, safeguarding and working with vulnerable populations.
Please Note - As part of the 2026 Sociology & Criminology Internship offering, priority will be given to Level 5 & 6 students who have specified in the Careers Registration survey (this is completed during enrolment and cannot be changed at this time) that they have had no work experience in the last 12 months and would like some on campus work or a short work placement and those who have not worked via Jobs4Students previously. However, applications are welcomed from all students meeting the criteria below.
Students are only eligible to undertake one Sociology Internship.