Bursary Programme Students 2011
1. Kirsty Bell
Age: 22
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Politics and Social Policy
Assembly Office: Research Office
Working in research, dealing with Members’ queries and research requests from Committees. Currently working on a consultation on the educational underachievement of Protestant working class males; a Bill Paper on introducing a levy for plastic bags; and a council study on climate change.
2. Gareth Brown
Age: 25
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Economics & International Studies
Assembly Office: Committee for Finance & Personnel
Currently working on the Committee’s Budget Report and also on a Preventative Spending research paper.
Where are they now?
Working as a researcher for the Green Party (Assembly)
3. Matthew Francis
Age: 23
Qualifications: BSc Econ (Hons) Politics and History, Aberystwyth University (2006-2009)
MSc (Dist). Multi Level and Regional Politics, University of Edinburgh (2009-2010)
Assembly Office: Bill Office
Currently working in the Bill Office contributing to the daily running of the office.
This involves supporting the legislative process through organising the progress of a Bill from its introduction through to Royal Assent. Much activity concerns the supporting the consideration of legislation and any subsequent amendments, and liaising with third parties where appropriate. The placement at the hub of legislative activity is an ideal focal point from which to understand the primacy aim of the Assembly as a legislature.
Where are they now?
Working in the Public Affairs industry, for a Cardiff-based consultancy
4. Neal Gartland
Age: 23
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Modern History and Politics
MA in Law and Governance
Assembly Office: Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Currently assisting in the production of the Committee’s report on Renewable Energy. This is 40% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020 and the Report will look at how this can be achieved and the barriers that may need to be overcome in order to achieve this target.
Where are they now?
Working for Jim Nicholson in Stormont
5. Dearbhla O’Rourke
Age: 23
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Politics with Criminology
Assembly Office: Research Office
The work that the research teams do helps to support the role of Assembly Members, Committees and other members of the secretariat staff. The work involves gathering information and writing up papers.
The research papers deal with various subject areas and can come in the form of Briefing Notes, Bill Papers or Research Papers. Every day work entails gathering information from the internet, articles, newspapers and books but also involves engaging with contacts in various departments, as well as in the other legislatures in order to collect the required information.
Where are they now?
Taking a career break to raise a new family and hoping to study a Masters in Human Rights part-time
6. Gareth Scott
Age: 31
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Politics/Social Policy
Assembly Office: Research Office
Carrying out research work within the Assembly from committee requests to individual MLA constituency queries. The work therefore covers a wide range of areas and can range from a simple answer via e-mail to producing research papers on specific topics.
Where are they now?
Working for Chris Lyttle MLA
7. Christopher Sheils
Age: 22
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Modern History and Politics
Assembly Office: Committee for Education
Currently working on the Successful Post-Primary Schools Serving Disadvantaged Communities inquiry , as well as the Committee’s scrutiny and formal response to Department of Education’s draft Early Years (0-6) Strategy.