Perhaps you heard about our hugely successful Summer of IP outreach campaigns in 2023 and 2024? Maybe you even took part. The planning for Summer of IP 2026 is in full swing and we’d love you to be involved!
What is Summer of IP?
For those who don’t know, Summer of IP aims to raise awareness of and improve access to careers in the IP sector. As well as providing information and resources, crucially there are opportunities for participants to meet professionals and gain insights, skills and practical experience. The Careers in Ideas team put together introductory events and content covering the basics. IP sector employers offer their own events or activities, which they design and run themselves but which we help coordinate and promote.
Who is Summer of IP for?
Summer of IP is open to everyone but we target groups under-represented in IP via our contacts at outreach organisations. Many work directly with young people from under-represented groups to help them achieve their potential. Some focus on improving social mobility, some on other forms of diversity like gender or racial inequality.
So why is this important?
First, it’s in all our interests to attract the best candidates – the more people that know about IP careers the better. Secondly, we all benefit from a diverse workforce – one which combines different perspectives, leading to sharper analysis and more creative problem-solving. And despite progress, there are still under-represented groups at both entry and senior levels of the profession, including people from low socioeconomic or minority ethnic backgrounds, women, and disabled people. Thirdly, we all know the IP sector as generally welcoming and safe, so let’s demonstrate this to those who may be sceptical.
More reasons to get involved
Feedback from organisations who took part in our previous campaigns was overwhelmingly positive. They valued reaching diverse groups of people who might not otherwise have known about the IP professions, with individuals going on to apply for positions in subsequent recruitment rounds. They also told us how their staff benefitted from Summer of IP, either directly by organising or hosting events and meeting participants, or indirectly by seeing the commitment of their organisation to something that matters.
Participants particularly appreciated hands-on opportunities, like taster days, “IP detective” workshops, mock hearings and work experience. Meeting IP professionals was invaluable for gaining advice and an impression of the sector. Making personal connections, for example during networking or our Careers in Ideas-organised coffee dates, is particularly significant for participants who have no other way to access contacts in this field.
Now it’s your turn!
We’d love you to participate in Summer of IP 2026. Could you offer a workshop or work experience opportunity? An insight evening or taster day? Could you spare half an hour to meet with someone for an online coffee date? This is your opportunity to give back to the community whilst also improving diversity within the IP sector. Find out how at https://careersinideas.org.uk/summer-of-ip-2026.
As one contributor remarked, “The Summer of IP initiative is a fantastic example of how collectively we can make a difference.”