Summer of IP introductory events
Before you take part in any Summer of IP activity, please join one or more of our introductory events. These are provided by our Careers in Ideas team and will introduce you to the basics about intellectual property and the careers available here.
These events will either be pre-recorded and available here from June 2026 or will be live online events to be broadcast in June and July 2026, with the recordings available afterwards for those who can’t be there in person. Details of each event (including registration) will be available on our Main Events Calendar.
Please take some time to watch the first few pre-recorded events – these will explain how Summer of IP works and give you an overview of the IP sector and the wide range of careers available here. They’ll help you decide which of the career(s) you’re particularly interested in, so that you can watch recordings of other events, or attend employer activities, that cover them in more detail.
Some of the later introductory events will explain routes into particular careers, even helping you to put your application together or giving you a chance to hear from people who already work in IP.
Unless otherwise stated, these events will provide very general information about IP careers and are intended for anyone who’s interested in learning more about a career within IP, including secondary school students, university students, graduates and career changers. They are all available free of charge. We hope you enjoy them!
Employer Events and Activities
As part of Summer of IP 2026, several IP sector employers are offering activities and events to help you get a better feel for your ideal IP career. Some of these are “taster” sessions, others are full work experience placements. All are being generously provided, free of charge, to Summer of IP participants. As events and activities are offered, we’ll be listing them on our Main Events Calendar. You can filter the events by category, such as your experience and interests. Do keep a look out for these as places are limited and there are application deadlines to meet!
Make this count!
As you go, note down the events you’ve attended and the recordings you’ve watched. You can mention them in your personal statement or covering letter when you apply to join the IP sector.
We’d also love you to send us a short blog post about your Summer of IP experiences, which we can publish on the IP Inclusive and Careers in Ideas websites. You can see the ones we published previously in our Summer of IP stories.
At the end of your personal Summer of IP journey, you may find you’re really interested in an IP career. We hope you do! If you’d then like a little help getting your first job, why not sign up to our Careers in Ideas Mentoring Hub?
The formal stuff
Summer of IP employer activities are run by individual participating organisations, all of whom recruit into IP sector roles in the UK. They decide for themselves what type of activity or event they want to offer; where, when and for how long it takes place; and the people it’s suitable for. They take responsibility for complying with relevant legislation and other appropriate safeguards. They will treat you fairly, considerately and respectfully.
All of them have agreed to comply with our Summer of IP guidelines. The guidelines are there to ensure that participating organisations have the appropriate provisions in place to ensure the activity is a success. They will help to safeguard participants’ privacy and wellbeing, the quality of the Summer of IP offerings and their alignment with IP Inclusive’s objectives (see “About Careers in Ideas” below).
For instance, although activity providers can set their own – reasonable – criteria for selecting people to take part in their activity, they must have an objective and non-discriminatory recruitment process. The process and its timings should be clear and transparent and have reasonable adjustment policies in place which support those who have a condition, impairment or disability.
All activity providers are committed to improving equality, diversity and inclusion within the UK IP professions. They are IP Inclusive supporters and partners and/or signatories to the IP Inclusive EDI Charter. Many have an individual in their organisation who has signed our Senior Leaders’ Pledge.
If you have any problems or concerns about a Summer of IP activity, please contact the activity provider directly.
About Careers in Ideas
Careers in Ideas is the outreach arm of IP Inclusive, an initiative which aims to promote and increase equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing in the UK’s IP professions. The Careers in Ideas mission is to improve awareness of, and access to, IP-related careers, in particular for currently under-represented groups. It provides a range of resources aimed at school, college and university students, career changers, and their advisers. It also has a dedicated Mentoring Hub.
Importantly, Careers in Ideas exists to promote the full range of IP sector careers, including associated business support roles.
IP Inclusive and Careers in Ideas are governed by IP Inclusive Management (IPIM).
Last Updated: March 24, 2026