The John Smith Centre at the University of Glasgow is a non-partisan organisation 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:
- Internships – we pay young people to work for a MP/MSP
- Programmes and courses – we help students and school pupils learn more about politics and public life
- Research – we provide a platform for fresh thinking on democratic and civic engagement
- Polling – we find out what young people are thinking, through our UK Youth Poll
- Campaigns – we back ideas that help to widen democratic and civic participation
- Public events – from our home at the University of Glasgow, we hold inspiring in-person debates, events, and speeches
Development Programmes
We deliver paid internships for young people with frontline politicians, giving them a rung on the ladder into a career in public life.
Research
We examine people’s attitudes and priorities so we can understand their views about the state of the country’s politics.
Advocacy & Events
We run high profile events and campaigns that make the case for a healthier political culture that inspires people to take part.
Support us
Please help us if you can.
Let's build a better politics.
The John Smith Centre relies on the generosity of our donors. Every penny we receive helps to dismanlte barriers for young people so they can play their part in the country’s future.
Politics for positive change
We believe politics matters. Too many people in the UK feel disillusioned, disenfranchised and disappointed by politics. We believe this is corrosive to our democracy and it means power will get abused.
We seek to turn this around by inspiring and empowering new and diverse voices to engage with and enter UK politics. Our unique package of fully-paid programmes and internships gets young people involved in politics. Our research sets out how people, especially young people, feel about politics. Our events and our campaign work aims to show how positive political participation can bring about real change.
Explaining why politics matters
We want to shift the narrative from disengagement with and disillusionment in politics to a bright, positive vision of how change comes through politics.
Whatever you are passionate about, it is likely politics is a powerful and fast way to effect change you want:
- in local communities, working with councillors committed to your objective
- with MPs and MSPs to campaign for common causes
- with Parliaments and governments on major issues such as climate change
We believe everyone benefits and society is strengthened when more people from across a broader representation of backgrounds believe in and participate in British politics.
Our Work
The Centre works to break down barriers to politics through:
- Advocacy for why politics matters to us all and how to use politics for positive change
- Research into what the public thinks about our politics to help us create prescriptions for better engagement with politics
- Paid internship and development programmes to support diverse young voices to be inspired by politics and use politics as a force for good
Get Involved
There are many ways you can get involved with our work including joining us for events, taking part in our programmes and supporting our projects.