December 6th University of Surrey.
Employability Advisors and academics from across the SEPnet consortium meet to discuss and identify barriers and enablers in accessing the SEPnet summer placement scheme for all students, irrespective of background and neurological personalities. This training was facilitated by AbiltyNet and will provide the basis for further employer, student and advisor training.
Organised by:
Claire Hepwood, Employer Liaison Director, South East Physics Network (SEPnet) c.hepwood@rhul.ac.uk
Dr Andrew Hirst, WRIPA Manager, Department of Physics, University of York andrew.hirst@york.ac.uk
Beth Medley, Employability and Placement Officer, White Rose Industrial Physics Academy (WRIPA), Department of Physics, University of York beth.medley@york.ac.uk
PROGRAMME
Chaired by Professor Sir William Wakeham
The new IOP accreditation process – more flexibility in curriculum design
How do we get the balance right between employability, skills and academic rigor and encourage innovation while also ensuring compliance with accreditation? Are they two different things?
Robyn Henriegel, Accreditation and Professional Standards Manager, Institute of Physics
More information on the IOP Degree Accreditation Framework
Effective blended and hybrid learning in HE
How do we support staff in adopting inclusive and engaging teaching practices that promote success for all students?
Dr Catherine (Kay) Hack, Principal Adviser (Learning and Teaching) Advance-HE
Learning from Engineering
Can we equip physics students with problem-solving, resilience and teamworking skills through real-world group projects?
How do we avoid siloed learning? Is programme-level teaching or portfolio assessment the answer?
Professor Danielle George, Associate VP and Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering, University of Manchester
How we deliver effective online learning
Can technology be used to replace experimental work in the first two years of a physics degree?
How does online learning design in modular physics teaching enhance the student experience, employability outcomes and close disability gaps?
What impact does tuition and assessment strategy have on outcomes in level 1 / 2 physics modules?
Dr Helen Jane Fraser, Director of Research and Senior Lecturer in Astronomy, School of Physical Sciences, The Open University
How do we assess now?
How have departments modified assessments following the loss of invigilated tests and examinations?
What interventions and new ideas will transform assessment?
Dr Nicolas Labrosse, Senior Lecturer (Physics and Astronomy), University of Glasgow
How to implement a physics-related micro placement module into a physics degree
Focusing on the benefits for both students and employers
Dr Samantha Pugh, Associate Professor in STEM Education, University of Leeds
How can we diversify our physics intake?
• Can data become a barrier to progress?
• Tackling the gender and attainment gap.
Professor Brad Gibson, Head of Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Hull
Working with businesses to improve the employability of under-represented students in STEM
• How are universities supporting disabled students to find jobs?
• How do we prepare under-represented students for the labour market?
• Engaging students and breaking down barriers
Emily Huns, Head of Careers and Entrepreneurship, University of Sussex
A joint SEPnet & WRIPA Workshop supported by the Institute of Physics
Wednesday 18 July 10.00 – 16.00
De Vere Orchard Hotel, University Park, University of Nottingham
To create a more productive economy the UK government has recently published its Industry Strategy. The government’s vision for a transformed economy is based on 5 foundations, including ‘people’ and ‘places’. ‘People’ and ‘Places’ emphasise a number of challenges such as tackling particular shortages of STEM skills, developing skills to take advantage of new technology and implementing Local Industrial Strategies to drive productivity.
To meet these business needs (and others!) for talent, skills and innovation i.e., “innovation diffusion” through people, university physics departments will need to consider how this will be achieved via curriculum development, work-based learning and employer engagement.
The aim of this one-day workshop is to understand better the enablers and barriers to curriculum development, the opportunities for physics departments with respect to the Industrial Strategy and to share best practice of embedding employability within degree programmes. The workshop also provides the opportunity to build a wider network of employability focused academic and professional staff. The programme will include presentations and case studies from Institute of Physics and representatives from HE physics departments and chaired by Professor Sir William Wakeham.
The event is aimed at heads of physics departments, academics responsible for employability, programme managers, heads of teaching and learning, industry representatives and all those with responsibility for developing physics graduates employability skills.
To see the agenda, travel info and to register for this FREE workshop, click here https://sepnet-wripa-workshop.eventbrite.co.uk
In early 2017 SEPnet invited students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, from the network to submit teams for the SEPnet Enterprising Ideas competition. We were looking for teams who bring fresh ideas, innovative thinking and who have great team working skills that businesses increasingly need.
The idea of the programme was to engender new skills in the students: a fresh perspective on how their skills and knowledge can be applied; understanding more about entrepreneurship and what it means to have an entrepreneurial mindset; and to develop real insights into business, innovation, enterprise and team workings.
The programme would last throughout 2017 with teams undertaking training in June led by Elaine Hickmott of EH-Enterprises who tailored the programme specifically for Physics students in SEPnet. They were then asked to submit their ideas via a short video by September. This was followed by submitting detailed market research and their business case, leading up to a “Dragon’s Den” format presentation to a panel of Business people at the GRADnet Winter School in February.
Unfortunately along the way, some teams dropped out due to research and studying commitments. However they gained valuable experience from the intensive training provided.
Three teams made it through the grueling process and reached the finals:
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| The team from Kent | The team from RHUL | The team from Southampton |
The panel of judges (Bob Pickles of Canon UK, Simon Bland of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Phil Edwards of Weald Technology) was extremely impressed with all three finalists and by the quality, credibility and potential of the ideas being showcased. It was a tough call. However, they chose “Conker” from RHUL as the winning entry.
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| The winners collect their certificates | The runners up collect theirs. |
Congratulations to all the teams for not just demonstrating great technical ideas, but also how to ensure they solved real problems and what was needed for commercial success. Congratulations to the team from RHUL for winning.
This year’s Winter School, entitled “Building your leadership potential”, took place on the 14-16 February 2018 at Cumberland Lodge. The former royal residence set in the heart of Windsor Great Park was host to 26 postgraduate students from eight of the SEPnet members, who enjoyed being immersed in its fascinating history dating back to the 17th century.
The 3-day residential school focussed on the skills required for effective leadership and team-working. Different leadership styles were explored and each student attendee was given the opportunity to have their preferred team-working style evaluated using the Belbin model.
The core activity involved Columbia’s fatal final mission. The multi-media case tracks the Columbia Space Shuttle mission from launch as NASA engineers and leaders sought to understand the nature and threat associated with an anomaly that occurred on launch. Participants were given an opportunity to analyse the case using materials supplied by NASA under the guidance of Dr Trevor Long, Consultant. Veronica Benson and Kay Pearson from SEPnet’s Employer Engagement team observed the PGRs and provided feedback to them.
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Alys Brett, from UKAEA, JT Jansenn from National Physical Laboratory, John Wells from Leonardo and Helen White from AWE took part in a panel discussion and gave their perspectives on leadership styles from an employer’s point of view.
Students also enjoyed the recreational activities available in the games room in the cellar at Cumberland Lodge as well as the historical ghost tour which took place in Windsor town centre in the pouring rain.
This week the annual Students’ Expo in London provided an opportunity for summer placement students to showcase their projects while on placement through presentations and posters to over 160 employers, academics and fellow students. This year 91 students were successful in finding summer industry and research placements through SEPnet.
The event included morning and afternoon student presentations and poster sessions. Charlotte Lister, our morning speaker, talked about her career journey from SEPnet summer placement student to physics graduate to project manager at Ultra Electronics (through networking at a previous SEPnet Expo!). Students were able to network with employers and exhibitors throughout the day to discuss potential career and job opportunities.
The standard of the presentations and posters gets better every year. As one employer put it, ‘I thought all the students were really talented and had worked on such a wide range of fascinating projects’.
This year’s keynote address was delivered by Paul Ettinger, physics graduate and Co-founder of Caffe Nero. Paul gave an inspiring account of his diverse and entrepreneurial achievements in a talk entitled ‘The Physics of Coffee and Music’.
Congratulations to this year’s 6 poster prize winners – Alex Hunter of Queen Mary whose placement was with Black Swan; Madalina Mironiuc of Southampton (Colour Holographic); Stephanie Bennett of Royal Holloway (NPL); Grace Maxted of Kent (Tesla Engineering); Toyah Overton of Royal Holloway (University of Southampton) and Sholto Bateson of Sussex (eOsphere). Each won a copy of Jon Butterworth’s ‘A Map of the Invisible’ sponsored by the Institute of Physics.
Alex Hunter |
Madalina Mironiuc |
Sholto Bateson |
Stephanie Bennett |
Grace Maxted |
Toyah Overton |
The annual Students’ Expo takes place on 29 November in London and provides an opportunity for students to showcase their placement projects through presentations and posters to over 150 employers, academic tutors and peers.
This year 91 students from across the SEPnet universities were successful in finding industry and research placements and will present their posters at the Expo.
The event includes morning and afternoon presentations and poster sessions and provides a great opportunity for employers, academics and physics students to network and discuss placements, jobs and collaboration. Prizes, sponsored by Institute of Physics, are offered for the best posters.
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Paul Ettinger – a physics graduate now entrepreneur and Co-founder of Caffe Nero.
Wednesday 8 November 2017, 16:30-20:30 Hallam Conference Centre, London W1
A special joint IOP SEPnet careers event for early career researchers to help, inspire and motivate you to explore the careers options open to you in a welcoming and friendly environment.
You will meet a panel of physics PhD graduates pursuing careers in diverse areas in and outside academia.
Organisations include Adaptix; Diamond Light Source; IBM; Institute for Cosmology & Gravitation, University of Portsmouth; MP Capital; National Physical Laboratory; STFC ; Rutherford Appleton Laboratory; Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd; UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and WP Thompson.
Vishanti Fox, IOP Careers and CPD Manager, will offer advice on CV writing.
Places are limited. This event is free to attend.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed by SEPnet through GRADnet PGR Administrators.
Register at http://bit.ly/2wFp084
SEPnet students recently came together to participate in two days of intensive entrepreneurship training as part of our annual GRADnet Enterprising Ideas competition.
Elaine Hickmott, who developed the programme, explains how ‘by mixing the problem-solving and analytical skills developed as a physicist with an understanding of business and industry’, graduates can truly position themselves for success. She adds ‘this may translate into the ability to secure more funding as an academic, being the best physicist you can be, starting your own company or building a rewarding industrial career.’
Ricky D’Costa, a physics student at Surrey, shared his views about the training: ‘I have learnt that being an entrepreneur is not always about financial profit. People can become social entrepreneurs to help society and, whatever profit they make, they can use it to develop their business further. I have learnt to think from other people’s perspective – how they feel, think and process information. If ideas are criticised too early, people might be discouraged from sharing their thoughts. The most important aspect for me was understanding the four stages of innovation: Dreamer, Realist, Critic and Implementer. I am now keen to take my business idea further!’
To give more time for students around SEPnet to form teams, we are extending the time for them to register for the Enterprising Ideas competition. We’d also like to dispel some misconceptions about what the programme is about and Elaine Hickmott, who is organising the programme for GRADnet, has written an article articulating the goals and purpose of what the training involves and how it helps Physics students in their future careers.
Are you interested in developing your entrepreneurial skills?
Are you a SEPnet PGR or a physics undergraduate
Put forward a team for a chance to win £100 for each member!
What it is
SEPnet is organising its 2nd annual enterprising ideas competition to help you develop your entrepreneurship skills.
SEPnet PGRs and physics undergraduates in their penultimate year are invited to put forward teams to compete to be the most entrepreneurial in SEPnet.
Why you should be interested
Business and research increasingly need graduates who bring fresh ideas, innovative thinking and who have great team working skills. Physicists have the research skills and technical knowledge to inform policy, improve society and create exciting new products. Highly developed entrepreneurial skills and an enquiring mind are key to building a knowledge-based economy and can give you the edge when applying for research or graduate jobs or studentships.
Whatever career you pursue, whether in research or business, the skills you gain by participating in this competition will be of great value. By the end of the programme you will have:
The programme is NOT about turning you into entrepreneurs or seeking new business opportunities but to expose you to the world of business and the impact of innovation on business.
You do not need to have a business idea or experience beforehand to take part!
How it works
If you are a PGR or an undergraduate you will need to confirm your interest in participating by 31 March 2017. Places are limited on a first come, first served basis.
Forming teams:
2-day training course:
Please note:
Video:
Teams will be required to produce and submit an initial short video by end of September outlining your idea.
Support:
Teams will be introduced to local entrepreneurial experts at your university to support development of your idea. Ongoing entrepreneurship materials giving hints and tips will also be provided.
Teams will receive feedback from a variety of experts and tips on how take your idea forward.
Key dates:
26 May 2017 Confirm your teams by e-mailing Cristobel Soares-Smith, gradnetadmin@sepnet.ac.uk
28 & 29 June 2017 Entrepreneurship residential training for designated team member(s)
September 2017 Submit short video outlining your idea
January 2018 Proposals with market research and business case to be submitted
February 2018 Presentations to a panel of entrepreneurs and business people
Further information:
Winning Team from Southampton.
To inspire participants, the video entry of the 2016 winning team from Southampton is here: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/1956777/mod_resource/content/1/Entrepreneurship/logo3-01_2%281%29.compressed.mp4