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Business School alumna Yasemin Aslan outside the Château de la Muette

University of Sussex Business School alumna Yasemin Aslan (MSc Science and Technology Policy 2019) and research fellow at our Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) tells us how her internship at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development opened her eyes to the power of data, teamwork, and a passion for policy to drive global change.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to intern at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) within the Directorate for Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) on the "Network Analysis for STI Policy Initiatives" project. In collaboration with another SPRU intern, Paul Waldmann, and under the expert guidance of Andrés Barreneche and Michael Keenan from the OECD, we created a novel way to analyse the EC-OECD STIP Compass database. This database is a mine of information, containing over 7,000 STI policy initiatives from more than 50 countries.

Our main task was to develop a systematic, evidence-based method to understand how different countries approach STI policy issues. We achieved this by building a composite similarity index that allowed us to calculate how similar any two policy initiatives were, and then visualized these relationships in network graphs. Through intensive data analysis and advanced network analysis techniques, we aimed to reveal patterns and connections within the vast landscape of STI policies. Our work was designed to help the OECD gain a richer understanding of global STI policy initiatives and to support evidence-based policymaking in this crucial area.

My Motivation for the OECD

I was drawn to this internship at the OECD because it was a unique chance to apply my knowledge and skills in evidence based STI policy to real-world research within a globally recognized institution. The opportunity to make a tangible impact on projects like "Network Analysis for STI Policy Initiatives" was incredibly appealing. This project dovetailed perfectly with the techniques I had learned during my network analysis course at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex Business School. Plus, my professional background of over a decade at TUBITAK in Türkiye had given me valuable insights into national policymaking processes. Importantly, the encouragement and guidance from our lecturer, Daniele Rotolo, were instrumental in motivating me and my fellow students to seize opportunities with such prestigious organizations. I was truly excited about the prospect of being among the first to analyse this major STI policy platform and help inform policymaking on the evidence we provided.

How SPRU Prepared Me

My academic background and studies at SPRU were essential in preparing me for this internship. The network analysis course gave me a solid foundation in theory and practical skills to analyse complex networks – skills that were directly transferable to this project. I learned to use specialized software, interpret results, and draw meaningful conclusions. Beyond that, courses in the MSc Science and Technology Policy programme gave me a comprehensive understanding of theoretical frameworks, current debates, policy instruments, and the quantitative methods used in STI policy analysis. This knowledge proved invaluable during my time at the OECD.

Overcoming Challenges

One of the biggest challenges I faced during my internship was working with the massive database containing over 7,000 STI policy initiatives. The data wasn't initially in a format suitable for analysis. Through open discussions with the team, we brainstormed strategies to preprocess the data, identifying key variables, standardizing formats, and ensuring that everything was set for meaningful analysis. By working together, we successfully tackled this obstacle and proceeded confidently.

The Power of a Multicultural Environment

The OECD is a hub of multiculturalism and diversity, and this experience taught me so much about cultural sensitivity, finding unity in diverse perspectives, inclusion, collaboration, and effective communication. While I'd had similar experiences at the University of Sussex, the OECD allowed me to see these dynamics play out practically with colleagues from around the world. It was truly enriching and helped us come together to solve complex problems.

A Moment of Pride

I'm particularly proud of the innovative approach we developed for analysing the EU-OECD STIP Compass database, especially considering we accomplished this in a short two-month period. Our hard work culminated in presenting our preliminary results at an OECD brown bag lunch meeting. It was incredibly fulfilling to represent SPRU and share our findings with a wide audience of colleagues from various OECD STI divisions and high-level managers. This experience showed me that you can achieve amazing things in a short time with dedication and focus.

How It Aligns With My Career Goals

My internship at the OECD was a perfect fit for my career goals. It allowed me to gain hands-on experience applying network analysis techniques to STI research in a real-world context. This experience confirmed my passion for using data-driven methods to solve complex challenges and deepened my understanding of policymaking processes on an international level. My analytical skills improved, and my professional network expanded as I collaborated with experts from diverse backgrounds. Plus, having the opportunity to seamlessly transition into a position with the OECD International Energy Agency after my Master's was incredible. It allowed me to build on the knowledge and relationships gained during my internship and continue contributing to meaningful research and policy initiatives in the STI field.

Advice for Future Interns

My biggest advice for future OECD interns is to embrace innovation and creativity in your approach to challenges. Don't be afraid to try new methods – that's often how you'll find the most effective solutions. Also, make the most of every learning opportunity, whether it's hands-on experience, mentorship, or professional development programs. Collaboration and respect for diverse perspectives are key. Working with colleagues from different backgrounds will enrich your experience immensely. Stay curious, open-minded, and driven by a desire to make a positive impact.

Finally, I especially encourage women, particularly those from developing countries, to actively pursue these types of opportunities. Your unique insights and experiences are essential contributions to the global dialogue. By participating in initiatives like OECD internships, you can help drive positive change and shape the future of policymaking and innovation.

My Big Takeaway

This internship gave me a firsthand look at the importance of evidence-based policymaking for addressing global STI challenges. Seeing how research and data analysis inform policy decisions highlighted the power of making decisions with solid evidence. This has fuelled my belief that we need to prioritize policies that are built on evidence, inclusivity, and sustainability. I'm inspired to be an advocate for this kind of approach in the future.

I hope my experience inspires other Business School students to consider international internships – they can be truly transformative!

Find out more about our MSc Science and Technology Policy.

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