IGARAPE INSTITUTE

Edmund Kelly, Merton College, Second Year Undergraduate, BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Remote working

Work Projects

I completed three projects with

Igarape, working with their Climate and

Security Team to research

environmental crime in the Amazon

region:

1) Gold Mining and Logging: This project was about 2/3 of the total work I completed. The goal was to collect and analyse

data relevant to the gold mining and logging industries in Brazil, Colombia and Peru, and

attempt to estimate the size of the illegal gold mining and logging markets compared to the

legal markets.

I reviewed academic and NGO/think tank literature relevant to the topic, and compiled data

from international organisations and government databases for both gold mining and logging. For example, the UN's Comtrade database gave data on imports/exports of gold/wood products, whilst databases contained on government websites gave data on domestic production of gold/wood. I then used data on imports/exports and domestic production/consumption to estimate the volume of illegal gold mining/logging.

Using pricing data, I attempted to estimate the value of the legal/illegal markets for each

product, and the approximate tax losses faced by the governments involved due to

unreported production. In each case the size of the illegal markets was very large, typically

between 40-85% of the total estimated market, with billions of dollars of losses for each of

the governments involved per annum.

I produced an Excel spreadsheet and an accompanying 28-page research note summarising

my findings and the methodological difficulties involved in estimating these dynamic and

often hidden markets. After discussions with my supervisors, we are considering publishing

my findings as an Igarape Institute research note. I am very excited at the prospect of

publishing my work.

2) Typologies of Money Laundering: This project was about 1/6 of the total work. The goal

was to briefly survey typologies (methods) of money laundering observed by international

organisations, governments, academics and others. I produced several Excel spreadsheets

summarising past typologies work, with a focus on money laundering relevant to environmental crime (such as illegal gold/wood production). My research will be used to

inform Igarape's work on the laundering of the proceeds of environmental crime. 3) Supply Chain Transparency: This project was about 1/6 of the work I completed. The goal

was to map international property registry methods used to ensure supply chain

transparency, particularly in industries vulnerable to environmental crime (such as gold or logging). I produced an Excel spreadsheet summarising the main legislative/guidance

documents relevant to the topic, which will be used by Igarape to inform their work on the

topic.

I received support through weekly meetings and email correspondence with my two supervisors, in which we discussed my work and the steps I could take to improve/edit it.

My supervisors were very engaged, friendly and helpful, taking time out of their schedules

to provide continual support. They were both invested in my progress and made me feel

that my work would make a genuine contribution to the organisation. Everyone at Igarape

made me feel welcome and that I could ask for help if necessary.

Daily Life

My placement with Igarape was remote. I

worked from my bedroom (in which I have a

desk) using my personal laptop and

headphones. I worked Monday-Friday, starting

at 10am and finishing around 6pm most days.

However, because the placement was remote I was able to be flexible with timings, starting/finishing earlier or later on some days if

necessary.

I attended meetings 2-3 times per week, usually in the afternoon due to the time zone

difference between the UK (where I am located) and Brazil (where the organisation is

located). I attended one meeting per week with my supervisors to discuss my projects, and a

wider team meeting once per week, with occasional additional meetings.

On a typical evening I would wind down by playing board games or watching a film with my friends/family (I moved between university accommodation and home during the

internship). I enjoyed cooking as an alternative task to concentrate on after a day of

concentrating on work. Keeping a schedule and making sure to sleep regularly helped me to

focus on tasks during the day. I also made sure to plan activities for the weekend to look

forward to during the week, for example meeting up with friends.

Lasting Impressions

I had an amazing time with Igarape. As I mentioned, everyone

at Igarape made me feel very welcome and supported, despite

the placement being conducted virtually. I was reassured by

staff of all levels of seniority that I could always reach out if

needed. I was given independence to pursue projects how I

saw fit, but still made to feel that staff were invested in my

progress and that my work was important to the organisation.

I have gained substantially on two fronts.

Firstly, my work focused on applying quantitative methods to estimating the scale of

environmental crime in the Amazon region. In doing so I applied quantitative research skills

gained through classes with Oxford's Q-Step Centre to a new context. This benefitted my

quantitative research skills, especially in terms of planning a longer quantitative project,

sourcing data independently and compiling and presenting the data for others to read. I

used R for some of my work, which allowed me to practice and improve my programming

abilities.

Secondly, I have gained an invaluable insight into the operation of a think tank and the real-

world impact of its work. Through attending weekly team meetings, I was able to get an

insight into the workings of Igarape, and in particular its "think and do" ethos, in that it

seeks to produce research reports highlighting (often technological) solutions to the

challenges it studies.

The experience has affirmed my career ambitions in that it has confirmed that public policy/think tank work would suit my interests and skills. It has also affirmed my intention to

continue my studies as the postgraduate level so as to improve my research skills, and has

confirmed that such study would be useful if I were to pursue a career in a sector such as

this.

What practical advice would you give to future interns?

I would implore future interns to consider a

wide range of potential internship

opportunities and to make sure to apply for

as many placements as interest you. Working

with Igarape's Climate and Security Team

involved working on topics which differ to those I have studied for my degree (namely

environmental topics, with a focus on South America). I found applying research methods

from my studies to a new topic to be a fascinating challenge which has broadened my

academic and professional interests and abilities. I would encourage future interns not to

restrict their applications based on topics they have covered in their studies.