About Us

The John Smith Centre at the University of Glasgow is all about opening the doors to public life for young people — no matter your background, beliefs, or experience.

Politics isn’t just about MPs and debates on TV — it’s about the decisions that shape your community, your future, and the causes you care about. And you can be part of it.

Over the past 10 years, we’ve created hundreds of internships, programmes, and hands-on opportunities that have helped young people step into roles in government, policy, and public service. Many of them started out not knowing much (or anything!) about politics — and now they’re making real change.

We also tackle the bigger barriers that stop thousands of young people from getting involved, especially those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. Through events, campaigns, and research, we’re making the public square more open, inclusive, and accessible.

We’re inspired by John Smith, Labour leader from 1992–94, who said in his final speech:

“The opportunity to serve our country – that is all we ask.”

Thirty years on, we’re still driven by the belief that every young person who wants that opportunity deserves the chance to shape the world they live in.

How we break down barriers:

1. Internships – we pay young people to work for a MP/MSP
2. Programmes and courses – we help students and school pupils learn more about politics and public life
3. Research – we provide a platform for fresh thinking on democratic and civic engagement
4. Polling – we find out what young people are thinking, through our UK Youth Poll
5. Campaigns – we back ideas that help to widen democratic and civic participation
6. Public events – from our home at the University of Glasgow, we hold inspiring in-person debates, events, and speeches