Interview with our outgoing intern Ines Tramarin
Posted by Katie da Cunha Lewin on 2026-01-23
From October until December 2025 C21 Literature hosted an Open Access Academic Publishing and Academic Communication intern through the StARIS programme at St Andrews University. Our intern, Ines Tramarin, worked on various aspects of our social media strategy. As she's concluded her time with us now, we asked her to reflect on her experience.
Tell us a little about yourself, and what interested you in this role
Hi, I'm Ines Tramarin and I am a 4th year English and Social Anthropology student at the university of St Andrews with a strong interest in contemporary writing, academic research, and the ways in which scholarship is communicated to wider audiences. I was particularly drawn to the StARIS Internship with C21 because it offered the opportunity to gain practical experience in academic publishing while contributing meaningfully to a journal focused on 21st century writing - an area closely aligned with my academic interests.
Alongside my studies, I have developed a strong skill set in communications and digital marketing. This internship appealed to me as it allowed me to apply these skills in an academic context, supporting the visibility and accessibility of scholarly work while gaining insight into how academic journals operate behind the scenes.
What kinds of things have you been doing?
Since beginning the internship, I have been actively involved in developing and managing the journal's digital presence. I set up and launched the journal's Instagram account, creating the bio, highlights, visual identity, and have since produced and scheduled 17 posts to establish a consistent and professional online presence.
Additionally, I designed a mailing list template to support future communications with readers and contributors, created original and sustainable graphics, and contributed ideas and feedback on creative branding decisions. I have worked closely with the team to ensure that content aligns with the journal's academic identity while remaining engaging and accessible to a wider audience. These tasks have allowed me to take initiative and contribute practically to the journal's outreach and communication strategy.
How has it helped you understand academic publishing?
The role has given me valuable insight into the practical realities of academic publishing, particularly within an open-access context. I have developed a clearer understanding of how open-access journals operate, including the importance of visibility, accessibility, and digital engagement in ensuring that academic research reaches audiences beyond traditional academic circles.
Working alongside the team has also helped me appreciate the stages involved in producing an academic journal, from submission and editorial decision-making to copy-editing, and so on. Seeing how scholarly work is curated and presented has deepened my understanding of the balance between academic rigour and effective communication.
Anything you would like to add?
Overall, this internship has been an extremely rewarding experience that has strengthened my interest in academic publishing and communications. It has allowed me to combine my academic background with practical, transferable skills, while contributing meaningfully to a project I am genuinely invested in. I have particularly valued the opportunity to take ownership of initiatives and to collaborate closely with others, and I am keen to continue developing my skills in this area.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Kiron and Katie for overseeing the internship and for their guidance and support throughout. Their feedback and encouragement have been invaluable to my development and learning during this experience.
Thank you to St. Andrews university for their support. We look forward to welcoming a new intern this next academic term.