Mentorship
Junior Researcher Mentorship Programme
You choose the subject. We pair you with a mentor from our team who works through the research and the drafts with you, from first idea to publication.
Open to sixth form students in the UK, or for students in the final two years before university internationally.
This programme is entirely free of charge.
What the programme is
The London Review is a student-led publication covering economics, financial markets, and public policy. Most of our researchers are undergraduates. This programme extends our platform to pre-university students who want to develop their passion for a particular field through hands-on research and writing experience whilst learning from a mentor.
Everyone is paired with a member of our team for regular one-to-one support. Your mentor helps you shape a research question, find the right sources, and improve your drafts before publication. The work is yours; the guidance is there throughout.
How it works
Apply
A short form about you and what interests you. We shortlist on a rolling basis and then interview. If that goes well, you will be paired with a mentor and can start on your first article.
Get paired, and find a question
You and your mentor will narrow your area down to a single question you can answer in a couple of thousand words. If you do not have a story in mind yet, they will talk through the options with you. Bear in mind that your mentor is a student as well, so you will need to set the pace and come to each conversation with something.
Do the research
You will be working from primary sources: central bank publications, company filings, statistical releases, academic papers. Your mentor will show you how to read them, and how to judge which figures will stand up. Most of your time will go on reading rather than writing. If you get stuck, say so early.
Write, then edit
You draft, and then you and your mentor work through it over several rounds. Send it while it is still rough. Editing here goes beyond wording. Expect sections to be moved around and claims to be questioned, and anything you cannot support will come out. If you disagree with a change, say so. The argument is yours.
Publish
The article publishes under your name, and stays there. That is the start of a portfolio you can point people to.
Roughly one article a fortnight once you have found your feet, though it depends on the length of the article, depth of research, and your other commitments. You can take a break at any time, and return when you are ready. We will do everything we can to support you along the way.
Who it is for
We are looking for driven, high achieving students interested in economics, finance, public policy, or politics: sixth form students in the UK, or students in their final two years before university elsewhere in the world (16 to 18 years old).
You do not need to have experience writing articles before, or to be studying your chosen subject formally. We are looking for genuine curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the ability to write clearly and persuasively.
We are looking for students who can commit to the programme for at least a few months and dedicate time to research and writing alongside their other commitments. You will get as much from the programme as you put into it, and the students who thrive are those who make full use of their mentor and the wider team. We will do everything we can to support you along the way.
If you are under 18, we require written consent from a parent or guardian. You can find details of how to provide this on the application form.
Interested?
Applications are open. Tell us which area you would like to work in and what draws you to it.
Apply to join the programmeThis programme is entirely free of charge. We are committed to making it accessible to students from all backgrounds. If you have any questions about eligibility or accessibility, please reach out to us.