…ions, preventing disease and managing outbreaks, and this application of research to real-world problems is something Arantza wants to work on. She says the ability to work with an organisation like Pirbright is one of the main advantages of the DTA programme; “The most beneficial element of the programme is that students are encouraged to do placements. This means you learn new things and meet more people- people who can help you in your future c…
…pportunities and challenges in more detail, and wrote a blog for UA summarising our discussions. Since then, I have had time to reflect on what we have learnt and the opportunities available within the post pandemic landscape, and I was pleased to share these thoughts during the official launch of the review’s final report last week. The transition to remote learning in March 2020 was swift but not without challenge. Universities have risen to the…
…lier this year, DTA PhD researchers were invited to submit an image summarising their research, along with an accompanying blurb for the DTA Images of Research competition. Two awards were up for grabs, the Judge’s Choice and the People’s Choice Awards. Since the Awards, the winners and runners-up spoke with the DTA on being part of the Awards. Louise Mitchell (Bioscience, University of Salford), who won the Judge’s Choice for her image, Finding p…
…projects in more depth. We had the choice to share our work as oral, Pecha-Kucha-style or poster presentations, and the themes – how our research relates to the world outside the university and the interdisciplinary element of our projects – helped reveal shared interests and methods across our projects. The interactive poster session in WonderRoom was particularly fun. We learnt a lot about the work of peers outside of our disciplinary cohorts,…
…ee to choose how they prefer to engage with feedback, be that via email or online/on-campus meetings. Employability = inclusivity? For all students, regardless of circumstance, it is important to feel that the course and assessment has been designed with their needs in mind. This goes beyond practical needs, such as accommodating for students with caring or work responsibilities in scheduling, and includes recognition of the long-term outcomes…
…University leaders are also increasingly worried about the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on students – both current and prospective. The 2023-24 admissions cycle has seen the entry rate for the most under-represented students fall by a record margin. One (small) silver lining is that the sector’s concerns are finally beginning to be taken seriously by some politicians and financial commentators. They are also attracting attention ove…
…post-compulsory education in the coming years. June 2019 marked five years since then-chancellor George Osborne introduced the concept of the Northern Powerhouse, with promises of more science and innovation funding. There has been some progress, but the thinktank IPPR North concluded in November that the initiative has been held back by austerity and that “in reality the government has yet to give much new money or real power to the North”. Thurs…
…e the hydrogen fuel may be fossil-fuel derived. If we simply replace fossil-fuel-powered vehicles with zero-emission vehicles we will still have congestion. So rather than focusing on technologies to solve the problem, we should also be aiming to reduce road traffic by improving public transport options and making sure that those that are able to walk, cycle and scoot are given the safe space and facilities to enable that choice, not only for carb…
…ray of responsibilities. From achieving product-market fit and managing day-to-day operations to ensuring profitability at scale, the complexity can be overwhelming, particularly for those new to business. Finding affordable, comprehensive support can also be a challenge. Disjointed support interventions often have a lack of continuity, with constant starting and stopping leading to a loss of momentum, frustration, higher opportunity costs, and re…
…skills capacity of the vaccine manufacturing workforce within the Stockton-on-Tees region. Sitting at the nexus between higher education, business and public services, it is often Alliance universities that deliver the commercialisation of findings, translational research, innovation support and skills development necessary to develop ideas into application; delivering real-world innovations in care, services, products and delivery. This role wil…
