We are thrilled to continue spotlighting our 2025 cohort of 2025 Population Data Science summer interns who are driving innovation this summer at Swansea.
In this third instalment of our 5-part blog series, we introduce four more of our Population Data Science summer interns, each bringing unique perspectives and passion to their projects. They share how they are contributing to real-world impact and what they are learning along the way.
Güner Mertcan
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I am studying for a BSc in Population Health Sciences with Data Science at UCL. Throughout my studies, I have developed a strong foundation in epidemiology, statistical methods, and advanced data analysis techniques. This background has equipped me with the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to interpret complex data and draw meaningful conclusions.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I applied for this internship to gain practical, hands-on experience working with large-scale, longitudinal education data and to see firsthand how rigorous data analysis can inform policy decisions directly. I was particularly drawn to this opportunity because it bridges the gap between quantitative research and real-world impact, enabling me to develop skills essential for evidence-based policymaking.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
This summer, I am working on a project that investigates how Special Educational Needs measures have evolved across pupil cohorts in Wales. The project also explores how these measures interact with other key indicators such as Free School Meal eligibility and English as an Additional Language. I will be accessing individual-level administrative data through the SAIL Databank, which offers extensive linkage opportunities to explore complex relationships over time.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
I am aiming to enhance my proficiency in data wrangling, advanced statistical analysis, and visualisation techniques, with a strong focus on reproducibility and transparency. Over the summer, I hope to strengthen my skills in generating robust, data-driven insights that can effectively inform and influence policy decisions.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I am interested in a career in policymaking where I can utilise data and evidence to inform and support evidence-based decisions. This internship is a great opportunity to build my skills in analysing complex data and generating actionable insights that can drive meaningful policy outcomes.
Line Manager: Rob French Mentor: Jen Keating
Jacob Hart
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
I have just completed my second year of undergraduate studies in mathematics and computer science at Swansea University.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
Population data science is an incredibly valuable, important, and interesting field, so an internship in it felt like a great choice.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am working on the synthetic data project at DPUK, specifically on their correlated synthetic data generation, which aims to capture the relationships between real variables in the synthetic ones. Later in the internship, I will work on evaluating metrics for the synthetic data.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
I hope to gain practical experience in data science and become more proficient in utilising machine learning to solve problems.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I hope to pursue a career either in data science or research, both of which the internship should help with. Through the internship, I will experience what it is like to be part of a research group, which will be invaluable for kickstarting a career in data science.
Line Manager: Lewis Hotchkiss Mentor: Abdul Wafeeq
Jessica (Mengli) Wang
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
Before starting this internship, I was studying for an MSc in Strategic Marketing at Swansea University, which provided me with strong skills in user-centric strategy, digital content creation, and campaign design. I am also doing an apprenticeship in Applied Software Engineering at Swansea University. In parallel with my studies and internship, I currently work as a part-time Math and Statistics Advisor at Swansea University, helping students understand analytical concepts and apply statistical methods, which further strengthens my communication and problem-solving skills.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I was excited to apply because Population Data Science is at the forefront of using secure data infrastructure to address real-world issues. I saw this as a meaningful opportunity to apply my unique blend of skills—from digital storytelling and project management to software engineering—in a purpose-driven context. The opportunity to work on SeRP, a platform that enables high-impact research, really appealed to both my technical and ethical motivations.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
I am currently involved in restructuring and redesigning the SeRP website using WordPress. The existing website has been identified as confusing for new users, especially in communicating what SeRP offers. As a new user myself, my role is to help design and manage content so that the site tells a clear story: what SeRP is, who it’s for, and how it supports secure, linked-data research. The project is being managed in Notion and Jira, and we are working collaboratively with internal teams to align technical clarity with a user-friendly experience.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
This summer, I am focused on developing skills in web content design, component-based UI development, and CMS-based site structuring through WordPress. I am also keen to strengthen my storytelling abilities—structuring website content so it clearly reflects the user journey and product offerings. Since the project is managed in Notion and Jira, I am also deepening my collaboration and cross-functional planning experience, building on previous work where I led a website redesign for a UK property software company in a similar multi-team environment.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
Yes, I am aiming for a career in UI/UX design or front-end development within tech-driven organisations that solve real-world problems. This internship is helping me gain practical experience with large-scale digital platforms, content strategy, and working within interdisciplinary teams. It also reinforces my interest in user-centric design, ensuring that even the most complex data tools can be understood and utilised effectively by diverse audiences.
Line Manager: Michael Bale Mentor: Matthew John
Lewys Edwards
Could you tell us what you were studying before you started your internship?
Before my internship, I studied for a Master’s degree in politics at Swansea University.
What made you want to apply for an internship with Population Data Science?
I applied for the internship because I felt it was the perfect fit for my professional background in education, while also being an opportunity to apply the skills I had developed during my time at university.
Could you tell us a little about the project you are working on?
The project aims to complete a literature review on career guidance outcomes. I will be tasked with screening databases and academic sources to identify relevant literature, which I will use to produce a report and a presentation of my findings.
What skills are you hoping to develop, and if you know already what output(s) will you be working towards over the summer?
I hope to develop my skills in research methods and effectively produce literature reviews.
Do you have a career in mind at the moment, and how do you hope the internship will help you towards that goal?
I aspire to pursue a research or policy-based career, and I hope the internship will provide me with the necessary professional experience that will complement my academic skills in future job applications.
Line Manager: Kate Huxley Mentor: Rhys Davies
For the latest updates on our Intern Programme, visit https://popdatasci.swan.ac.uk/about-us/summer-internship-programme/