Inside DESNZ - 3 Months as a UKRI-funded intern working in energy policy

Inside DESNZ - 3 Months as a UKRI-funded intern working in energy policy

In 2024 Ben Hall took a three month break from his PhD in energy and climate change law to complete a UKRI-funded policy internship at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. He applied to the scheme because he wanted to understand how energy policy is developed, implemented and evaluated; whether current changes are sufficient to meet the demands of decarbonisation, and to see who calls the shots on these. Ben was interested partly because evaluating the regulatory arrangements for low carbon electricity would help him answer some research question, but mostly because, at a time of climate and cost of living crises, these policy considerations impact all of us.

Durham Energy Institute have invited Ben to talk about the experience of the placement, which he is be glad to, as he would encourage anyone doing an energy-related PhD to consider applying to the same scheme this autumn. Ben would also like to share some thoughts on how and why UK electricity markets and the regulatory and legislative arrangements that govern them might change, and the risks to decarbonisation of getting this wrong.

Please confirm your attendance and any dietary requirements by Thursday 7^th November so lunch can be ordered.