I found out about the Adam Smith Institute in the classical free-market way; page 23 in a book by Owen Jones.

In the revelation of learning about an entire organisation that shares my free-market principles, I was infatuated with the idea of one day becoming part of it. Deciding post-application that Economics is my undergraduate calling, and feeling disillusioned to the prospect of backpacking in Vietnam, the opportunity to spend a year in Westminster at the spearhead of neoliberalism was one I wished to unequivocally pursue.

Following my application being sent over summer, I was notified that I have been successfully shortlisted and called to an interview in Westminster. After making my way across from Euston Station, I was immediately struck by the unbridled passion and enthusiasm permeating throughout the office, and knew in an instant that this is a place I long for. I received the news of my successful application while brewing a cup of tea, and in my euphoria, ran upstairs to inform my mother.

My journey into neoliberalism started with the realisation that the only guarantee for prosperity is enshrined within the framework of free enterprise. Through this, a close friend and I founded a classical-liberal advocacy website called Friedmanomics, in order to create a platform for young people throughout the nation who feel their beliefs in individual liberty have been marginalised. From our humble beginnings in a single History classroom, we now have writers from around twenty different schools nationwide and an active following. I am extremely excited to bring this previous experience to my time at the ASI, and contribute in the fight to restore the invisible hand to the role now occupied by the state’s creeping hand.

My experience so far has surpassed every expectation (as high as they already were). Walking across Westminster Bridge every morning, brushing shoulders with my political idols as I shop at the local Tesco’s, being paid to investigate free-market ideas; for a boy from rural Cheshire with a poster of Margaret Thatcher on his bedroom wall, this is an opportunity of my wildest dreams. 

Charles Bromley-Davenport is joining the Adam Smith Institute for the next academic year as a Research Associate