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.

Applications to join the programme are currently closed. Register your interest and we will email you when they reopen, or follow us on LinkedIn for news from the team.

Register your interest

Open to sixth form students in the UK, or for students in the final three 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.

Junior Researchers published
8
Articles published
13
Mentors from our team
6

What you get

  • A published article under your own name, researched, edited and fact-checked before it goes out, and the start of a portfolio you can point people to.
  • A mentor from our team, working with you one to one from the first idea to publication.
  • Editing that goes beyond wording: how the argument is built, which sources will stand up, and what has to come out.
  • Something specific to talk about in a university application: a question you chose, researched and answered in print.

How it works

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 three 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.

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.

Published work

Articles written by Junior Researchers on the programme, each one researched, edited and fact-checked before publication.

  1. Macro

    Germany's Return to Dominance?

    Germany has a reputation as a global powerhouse but in recent times its economy has struggled. Long term factors, geopolitical shocks and government responses shaping the German economy, all beg the question: can Germany climb its way back?

  2. Macro

    When Diversification Results in Concentration: The Fake Sense of Security from Passive ETFs

    As global passive ETF assets under management approach $24 trillion, billions in savings are rushing into index-tracking fund for a sense of diversification, and the market structure is being changed dramatically. From the loss of active price discovery in market to creating the passive feedback loops for investor, the loss of active arbitrageurs in market is creating an enormous concentration risk for investors.

  3. Micro

    The AI Revolution: A Prisoner's Dilemma

    Fears over AI’s potential existential threat have entered the economic mainstream. As the US competes with China to lead the technology’s development, the prospect of slowing its advance looks increasingly remote.

See all 13 Junior Researcher articles

Questions

Does it cost anything?
No. The programme is entirely free of charge.
Who can apply?
Sixth form students in the UK, or students in their final three years before university elsewhere in the world, aged 16 to 18. You do not need to have written an article before, or to study the subject formally.
How much time does it take?
Roughly one article a fortnight once you have found your feet, though it depends on the article and your other commitments. We ask for a commitment of at least a few months, and you can take a break at any time.
Do I need a parent or guardian's consent?
If you are under 18, yes: we need written consent from a parent or guardian. The application form explains how to provide it.

Interested?

Applications are currently closed. Leave your details below and we will email you when we next open applications for the programme.

Year you complete your A levels

Or their equivalent, such as the IB, Scottish Highers or a BTEC.

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We are committed to making the programme accessible to students from all backgrounds. If you have any questions about eligibility or accessibility, please reach out to us.