The Population Data Science Summer Internship Programme has once again provided its interns with a unique opportunity to see how data and research help shape policymaking in Wales, through a successful visit to both the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) and Welsh Government.
Organised in collaboration with ADR Wales, the visit gave this year’s intern cohort an invaluable insight into the workings of Welsh democracy and the important role that evidence-based research plays in supporting government decision-making.
During their visit to Cardiff Bay, the interns toured the Senedd and learned about its structure and legislative processes. A particular highlight of the day was the opportunity to meet with four Members of the Senedd representing Swansea constituencies – Francesca O’Brien MS, Mike Hedges MS, Gwyn Williams MS and Steven Rodaway MS.
The meeting provided interns with a unique opportunity to share their experiences of the internship programme and explore the value of research and data-driven evidence in informing government policy. The session offered a rare chance for students to engage directly with elected representatives and gain a deeper understanding of how research can contribute to public decision-making at the highest levels.
The group then travelled to Welsh Government offices in Cathays Park, where they met with civil servants and received an overview of ADR Wales, including how the organisation works in partnership with government to provide evidence that supports policy development and public services.
Interns also learned about the diverse career opportunities across a range of government disciplines, including statisticians and data scientists, and about how analytical skills are increasingly used to address complex societal challenges.
Commenting on the highlights of their visit, the interns said:
“It was fascinating to learn about the vital role that scientific research plays in Welsh democracy, and motivating to hear the varied backgrounds of Senedd Members, the ADR team and how they arrived at their positions. The experience will help in future to consider research outputs from an actionable and policy-supporting standpoint” – Cerith Halfpenny.
“I really enjoyed our organised trip to the Senedd Welsh Parliament. Some major highlights for me were visiting the chamber’s observation gallery and hearing about how the Welsh Government works and its role as a devolved nation. I especially enjoyed learning about the circular layout of the chamber and the reasoning behind its design. Our tour guide did an incredible job, he was engaging and really very funny. It was also insightful to meet some of the Swansea MS, I particularly valued the advice they gave about seizing opportunities when they come your way.
A major highlight of the day was visiting the Welsh Government building and hearing from the Chief Statistician for Wales and members of the ADR Wales Welsh Government team. Listening to what they do day to day and seeing examples of the projects they work on was really motivating. The talks were fascinating, and it was inspiring to see strong women in these roles.
I think the most rewarding part of the day, however, was spending time with the other interns. It was great getting to hear more about their projects and backgrounds, and I’m now looking forward to seeing more friendly faces around the building” – Gwenllian Davies.
“It was a great day, the Senedd tour was really engaging, in no small part thanks to the guide. The Welsh Government presentations were really interesting. We heard about ongoing data science applications from people who clearly care a lot about public service, and it gave me a lot of hope that I could do something beneficial with my own career” – Dylan Allen.
“I found the visit genuinely eye-opening. It was my first time meeting elected decision-makers and hearing about their day-to-day work. What struck me most was seeing how academia, research, and policymaking come together with the shared goal of improving society. I left with a much clearer sense of how you can make a positive impact, whether you work in academia, the civil service, or elected office” – Rodgers Iradukunda.
Faye Gracey, ADR Wales’ Head of Data Acquisition and Linking for Research within Welsh Government, said: “It was fantastic to welcome this year’s cohort of Population Data Science Summer Interns to Welsh Government and showcase how data, research and evidence contribute to policymaking across Wales.
“Through ADR Wales, we work closely with researchers to ensure that robust evidence can help inform decisions that affect communities and public services. We also wanted to highlight the exciting opportunities available for data scientists within government, where analytical skills are increasingly vital in addressing some of society’s most complex challenges. The enthusiasm and talent demonstrated by the interns was incredibly encouraging, and we hope the visit has inspired many of them to consider future careers in public service.”
Professor Ashley Akbari, Programme Director, added: “Providing our interns with opportunities to see how their work connects to real-world decision-making is a key part of the programme. Meeting Members of the Senedd and discussing the importance of research in government decision-making was a particularly valuable experience, giving students a direct understanding of how evidence can inform policy. Combined with the insights they received from Welsh Government and ADR Wales, the visit demonstrated the many ways research and its associated findings can make a meaningful impact on society. We are proud to offer experiences like this that help prepare the next generation of data scientists, developers and other associated careers that make up multidisciplinary population data science projects work across academia, government and industry.”
Based at Swansea University’s Data Science Building, the 2026 Population Data Science Summer Internship Programme is hosting 17 students, providing them with the opportunity to contribute to high-impact research projects. This year’s interns were selected from more than 1,100 applicants, underlining the programme’s growing reputation for delivering meaningful, hands-on experience in data science and population research.