The deadline to apply was 25th September 2025, 9pm.
Application process
We welcome applications from all young people regardless of your experience or background. Please note that this is a voluntary role.
Applicants must be:
- Aged between 16-24 at the time of applying
- Based in the UK
- Able to commit a couple of hours per month for meetings and associated tasks
The application process asks you three main questions that help us to understand who you are and how you would like to help youth engagement within the Field Studies Council:
- Please tell us a bit about yourself, your experiences and the environmental topics that you are passionate about. (Max 200 words).
Ideas for answers: How do you connect with the outdoors, do you have any other volunteer roles, is there anything you like to explore or study in relation to nature and the environment?
- What motivates you to join the Field Studies Council’s Youth Panel? (Max 300 words)
Ideas for answers: What are you most interested in being involved with, and why do you want to be a voice and representative for young people?
- What are you hoping to learn or develop in the role? (Max 300 words)
Ideas for the answers: do you have any particular skills to bring to the Panel, or that you wish to develop in the role?
If you find answering online forms difficult and would rather talk through and answer the application questions, you may record your answers in video or audio format (3 minutes max per question). If you choose this option please email the files to [email protected].
We recommend writing your answers to the above questions on Microsoft Word or Google Docs and pasting the answers into the application form once complete.
Applications opened at midday on the 18th August 2025 and closed on the 25th September at 9.00 pm. You will hear by mid October regarding the outcome of your application.
Expectations and engagement
Members recruited in autumn 2025 are expected to be in role for 2 years. This is a voluntary role.
The Youth Panel meets in-person once a year for a residential weekend at a Field Studies Council centre. This year, the residential will take place 31st October – 2nd November. Applicants will be asked to confirm their availability for this date.
Online meetings alternate between weekday evenings, generally Monday to Thursday. We understand that members of the Youth Panel may need more flexibility at certain times of year.
There is an expectation that Youth Panel members attend a minimum of four meetings per year and contribute to associated tasks/projects.
The Youth Panel is what you make of it and there will be opportunities to expand your skills and experiences in your areas of interest.
What’s in it for me?
As a Youth Panel member, you will gain an insight into the workings of one of the UK’s leading environmental education charities. Members of the Youth Panel are key members of the Field Studies Council, who have the opportunity to engage in high-level discussions about the organisation’s provision for young people.
You will also meet other young naturalists and environmentalists throughout your term on the Panel.
In addition, there will be opportunities to:
- Attend funded residential weekend at a field centre in the UK.
- Participate in training opportunities, including heavily subsidised Biodiversity Courses (online and in-person).
- Network and collaborate with other young people passionate about nature.
- Gain valuable transferable skills, including meeting skills (such as chairing meetings and minute-taking), decision-making, and influence within the environmental education sector.
- Create content such as blog posts for sharing on Field Studies Council channels as well as your own channels.
- Represent young people at decision-making meetings with Field Studies Council staff and trustees.
If you have any questions about the application and selection process, please email [email protected]