Monthly Archives: October 2015

30Oct/15

Connecting Industry and Researchers in Physics

A South East Physics Network (SEPnet) Event

Wednesday 27 January 2016 – 17.00-20.00, University of Kent

SEPnet’s Graduate Network (GRADnet) is organising its 4th networking evening to facilitate greater collaboration and links between industry and physics postgraduate research students (PGRs) and researchers. We anticipate approximately 60 employers, physics PhD students and academics attending this event.

 Who should attend

  • SEPnet PGR students who want to meet small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and employers from physics-related industries to find out about career opportunities, make contacts and explore research and business ideas
  • SEPnet partner researchers who want to build links with industry to explore how their research can create impact
  • SMEs, businesses and employers in physics-related industries.

During the evening:

  • Hear from panellists including: Maya Dillon, Community Manager, Pivigo Academy;  Iain Duncan, Founder, Mousetrap Innovation; Phil Edwards, Managing Director, Weald Technology; Anke Lohmann, KTN Head of Photonics & Quantum Technologies and others talk about the benefits of knowledge exchange and what physics postgraduates and postdocs can offer industry
  • Participate in a speed networking session;
  • Build ongoing relationships between industry and researchers through placements, mentoring or research collaboration;
  • Refreshments will be provided.

How to register:

This event is free to attend.  Places are limited so please book early by clicking on the following link: http://bit.ly/1id46BC. (PGR students are requested to attend a networking workshop at 16.00).

For enquiries, contact gradnetadmin@sepnet.ac.uk

 

THIS EVENT IS SUPPORTED BY THE INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS

26Oct/15

GRADnet Winter School: Building your Leadership Potential

GRADnet Winter School: Building your Leadership Potential

8-10 February 2016

Discovery Park, Innovation House, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich CT13 9FF

For GRADnet postgraduate researchers

Please see attached document outlining an exciting new core activity for the GRADnet Winter School.  Register here.  Registration deadline Tuesday, 5 January 2016.

Core Activity – Columbia’s Final Mission

You will analyse the case of the Columbia Space Shuttle mission from launch to its fatal conclusion using materials supplied by NASA under the guidance of a consultant.  As the mission unfolds, you will work in teams, each team taking the role of one of the key NASA managers or engineers.  A team experiences only those events and has access only to information that that person had at the time of the mission.  This adds a rich dimension to the case experience as participants recognise how perceptions of the same event can vary.  With a combination of team working and plenary discussion, key principles and applications of leadership, management and communication unfold as the workshop progresses.

 Places are limited so register now!

09Oct/15

‘I Wish I Had Known Earlier’ – GRADnet Student-led Online Learning Proposal Call October 2015

Once again GRADnet is offering a scheme in which its postgraduate researchers can create online learning modules to share their knowledge and experience with peers in earlier years.  We invite GRADnet PGRs to participate in this. Successful proposals will receive a £1,000 bursary for each online module they create. Details of previously created modules are available in the Summer edition of GRADnews and also on the VRE, log on to http://www.open.ac.uk/students/research/SEPnet/training/student-led-on-line-learning%20modules

Proposals can be to support the development of either technical skills (for example, theoretical methods and tools, or practical physics know-how and skills) or more transferable/genetic skills (for example, Managing your Time, or Presenting at Conferences).  Although we have provided these examples, we expect that you will have a much better idea from your own experience of exactly what you wished you had known when you had started or what you had difficulty getting to grips with. These modules are designed to help those coming behind you avoid the same problems.

You are asked to submit a proposal for an online module, see attached guidelines and form. The proposal should identify the topic, provide an outline of what a module needs to cover and what learning it is intended to deliver. If selected, you will receive mentoring in Autumn 2015 to help you develop a high quality virtual learning package in one of several possible formats (video, website, text etc). This is another skill to add to your portfolio.  Collaborative modules between groups of students are particularly welcomed. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your teaching skills and experience for your CV.

Before you submit your proposal, there will be a chance to discuss your ideas and see what previous students have done over the videoconference facility on Tuesday, 20 October 2015 at 14:00, Virtual Room SEPnet 6.  If you wish to participate in this session please email gradnetadmin@sepnet.ac.uk by midday on Friday, 16 October 2015.

I wish I had known application form and guidance 2015 Final

An example from last year’s high quality proposals can be found here.