Research Internship (In-person)

EcoSwell is a surfing-inspired sustainable development non-profit (NGO) driving the development of poor Peruvian coastal communities through a path of sustainability. We develop environmental, educational, infrastructure and socio-economic projects working hand in hand with local communities and international volunteer interns.

As a multidisciplinary academic team, we not only carry out our own social and scientific projects that we constantly need support with, but we also welcome interns from universities around the world to come and carry out their own bachelors/masters/PhD research with us in Lobitos. Volunteer interns are welcomed to develop their own research project as part of their application if it can be aligned with EcoSwell’s work and focus. Keep reading for more information on this volunteer internship!

As a research volunteer intern at EcoSwell, you will be given ownership of the research projects, working alongside members of the community and the EcoSwell team. The daily activities will vary depending on whether you are conducting your own research or supporting EcoSwell with a current project. This may include but is not limited to:

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Impact Research

This research project aims to quantify the impact that EcoSwell has on the local community in relation to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Interns are needed to help conceptualise the methodology and carry out data collection via surveys with members of the local community.

• Surfonomics

As a surfing paradise with world-class waves, Lobitos attracts beginner to advanced surfers from all over the world. As a result, the tourism industry is growing rapidly and will need to be effectively managed in the future. As a result, Surfonomics studies work to determine the economic value of waves to coastal communities, so that these communities can make beneficial, informed decisions regarding coastal protection. Analyzing this data will allow EcoSwell and its affiliates to put a quantitative value to the waves of Lobitos, which will better enable their protection and potentially have Lobitos be declared a World Surfing Reserve. Volunteer interns may be required to carry out data analysis using SPSS statistical software and report writing based on surveys conducted with tourists and surfers in 2018/2019.

• Groundwater research

After winning a research grant from the Royal Academy of Engineering-UK (RAEng) by the UK’s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), EcoSwell has been conducting groundwater research in Lobitos in partnership with UK universities. This study aims to investigate the extent & quality of groundwater resources in the region that could potentially be sustainably tapped into, managed and used for reforestation irrigation or potentially human consumption by local communities. Interns are needed to support the EcoSwell team in fieldwork, community workshops, analysis of qualitative and quantitative data that has been collected and report writing.

• Business Plans / Market Research

Project 1:

Developing a business plan for bird watching ecotourism in the equatorial dry forest, one of the most endangered forests in the world. The long-term goal is to provide an economic alternative to illegal logging of a poor settlement located in EcoSwell’s zone of influence. The students would develop a business plan alongside the local community who are striving for greater equality and therefore lead the reforestation projects. This project will have a huge impact on the lives of the locals, the species that will be saved in preserving the forest and will help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Project 2:

Provide entrepreneurial and creative knowledge to local farmers running small farms and cheese production businesses. Volunteer interns will assist locals to consolidate ideas and create a business plan.

Project 3:

Conduct market research into how local fisherman can increase the productivity of their catch. Local fishermen use lines and nets so they don’t harm the environment but are at threat from trawlers and illegal fishing.

• Your own research: Dissertations (Bachelors, Masters, PhD)

Create an appropriate research methodology for your own academic research as a part of your university studies which would be applicable to Lobitos and the work that we do. We have received many interns from various world class universities who have carried out successful socio-economic and scientific fieldwork projects as part of their degrees with us.

Depending on the nature of your research, you may be required to bring certain equipment and resources to aid in data collection.

The financial contribution you make as an volunteer intern helps us plant a tree with community families in Lobitos with the volunteers at EcoSwell and the families engaging as well. 

Volunteer interns work between 9am to 5pm on weekdays but evenings and weekends are free for you to spend as you wish. For those joining our in-person placement, the northern coast of Peru has amazing waves, beaches and towns to go visit, with lots of different activities on offer such as:

• Surf lessons with local instructors in Lobitos. Alternatively, rent one of our EcoSwell surfboards and head out to the waves by yourself.

• Yoga classes

• Swimming with turtles 

• Fishing, sea-lion and whale watching trips with local fishermen

• Trekking and birdwatching in the native Dry Forest ecosystem

• Eat traditional Peruvian food at local restaurants 

• Visits to other nearby beaches and towns within hours of Lobitos to explore more Peruvian landscapes, culture & history.

Please note that these activities are separate and are not included in the financial contribution you make as part of the volunteer internship.