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CDT PhDs in Chemical Synthesis: The Bristol Approach

CDT PhDs in Chemical Synthesis: The Bristol Approach. Dr Emma Turner, Bristol Chemical Synthesis CDT Course Manager e mma.m.turner@bristol.ac.uk. Bristol Chemical Synthesis. Centre for Doctoral Training. Background.

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CDT PhDs in Chemical Synthesis: The Bristol Approach

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  1. CDT PhDs in Chemical Synthesis: The Bristol Approach Dr Emma Turner, Bristol Chemical Synthesis CDT Course Manager emma.m.turner@bristol.ac.uk Bristol Chemical Synthesis Centre for Doctoral Training

  2. Background • One of 45 new CDTs funded by EPSRC from 2009-2017 • Recently funded for a second term, from 2014-2022 • Additional funding from Industry • PhDs 4 years in duration with up to 25% assessed element • Development of transferable/life skills eg team-working, problem solving, public engagement

  3. BCS Aims Produce new generation of world-class synthetic chemists Produce future leaders of academe & industry Enhance student problem solving skills & technique Foster a ‘fearless’ creative attitude towards problem solving through a group ethos Understand problems and issues facing the modern Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industries - ‘part of the solution’

  4. Numbers • PhD of 4 years • Training period (PACT) for 7 months before starting PhD project • Up to 14students per cohort • Choice of 30 research proposals each year • Total of 53 students currently working as part of the CDT • 13 students graduated from 1st Cohort

  5. Broaden and strengthen research technique before start of PhD project Encourage students to move ‘out of comfort zones’ Enable students to select PhD project choices Foster teamwork & build personal confidence Assessment by write-up, course test and progress viva  formal progression to PhD project First 7-Months PostgraduateAdvancedChemicalTechniques

  6. PACT Structure • Laboratory Rotations (RBS) – “try before you buy” • Journal Club • Director’s Cut Problems • Lectures • Brainstorming – “design your PhD project” • pgDLM enabled experiments

  7. Brainstorming • Opportunity for Cohort to consider all PhD projects on offer • Cohort work in 3 groups to generate ideas • Outputs captured by photograph • Encourages ownership of project and ideas • Students ready to “hit the ground running” • “Partners not slaves”

  8. pgDLM

  9. CDT Research Hub

  10. Continuing Education • Students start PhD projects in May • Many transferrable skills already developed during PACT • Skills training organised for each Cohort • Outreach encouraged; STEM ambassadors • Opportunities to keep Cohorts together • Industrial supervision and placement

  11. Advantages • Students start research quickly, without lag • Skills acquired from practice • Barriers between research groups lowered • Collaboration increased • Cohort-effect fostered

  12. Challenges • Students set in their ways • Managing project allocation • “Two-tiered” mentality • Maintaining CDT identity • Engagement in skills training courses

  13. Achievements • Awards, competitions • Scholarships • Publication record • Grant money

  14. Acknowledgements

  15. People Emma Turner Course Manager emma.m.turner @bristol.ac.uk Mar Ruiz-Molina Administrator mar.ruiz-molina @bristol.ac.uk Varinder Aggarwal Chair Industry Group V.Aggarwal @bristol.ac.uk Kevin Booker-Milburn Director k.booker-milburn @bristol.ac.uk

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