PGI Summer School

We’re back for the second year running following a fantastic event last year, attended by over 40 students who provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.

This year, the summer school will focus on the themes of careers & professional development, communication and establishing collaborative links.

Here is a list of key highlights and what to expect:

Learn how to connect with the right people, make strong first impressions, start and end conversations smoothly, and turn quick chats at conferences and events into lasting professional relationships. You will also get PhD-focused LinkedIn guidance on how to improve your profile, find relevant contacts, and message effectively to grow your network beyond academia.

In a series of short talks throughout the event, guest speakers from NPL, academia and industry will explore their career paths after completing their PhDs and offer advice for launching a successful career of your own. We will explore the different career options available after graduation, best tips and practices to follow, and how to effectively utilise your connections and networks for beginning, continuing, and maintaining a highly successful career journey.

Join us for a formal evening drinks reception at NPL, offering a welcoming professional setting to put your daytime networking learning into practice. This optional event is a chance to meet and connect with professionals from across the wider NPL community, alongside guests from industry and policy backgrounds, and to continue conversations in a friendly and professional environment. A dress code of Business Casual will apply, with further information shared in advance.

This is a truly unique training experience that uses drama, theatre, and professional actors to create immersive scenarios to discuss and learn from. This workshop promises to be an energising and memorable session with participants using group discussions to reflect on strategies for building healthy relationships with supervisors.

There is an abundance of fantastic research being carried out at NPL and our partner universities. However, to celebrate and unlock the real benefits of this research, we must be able to effectively communicate our findings to others. This session will support you to design and deliver more effective presentations at meetings, events, conferences, lectures and pitches by focusing on what makes a successful talk.

Former PGI students are back to share their experiences, insights, and advice. This informal discussion is a chance to hear different stories, ask questions, and learn more about the opportunities that can follow on from your PhD programme. Whether you are curious, planning ahead, or simply looking for inspiration, this roundtable will offer a valuable space for conversation and connection.

Day two of the PGI Summer School will conclude with an evening social and BBQ hosted in Bushy House gardens, bringing participants together to relax, connect and enjoy a well-earned break. Expect good food, great company and plenty of opportunities to share stories and reflections from the week so far.

On the final day, you’ll have the chance to put your newly gained skills into action through a friendly competition designed to reinforce your learning. It’s a great opportunity to build confidence, work with others and try something new. And of course, there will be prizes on offer!

The summer school will equip you with the knowledge and skills to develop your career, connect with likeminded peers and potential collaborators, and showcase your own talent and research. The summer school is organised by PGI Student Ambassadors to create an event which is informative, engaging and relevant. We are incredibly excited to share our three-day programme with you and hope to see you there! Certificates of attendance will be provided to all participants.

The PGI was established in 2015 with the aim of becoming the leading institution for postgraduate research and training in measurement science in the UK. The vision for the PGI was developed through a strategic partnership between the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the University of Strathclyde and the University of Surrey.

We work with a range of academic and industrial partners to provide a prominent and distinctive centre for collaborative measurement science research and state-of-the-art training facilities to develop a highly skilled future workforce.

Our cohort has been growing rapidly since our establishment and we currently have around 200 students working on various multi-disciplinary projects with over 30 universities across the UK, working under the supervision of around 250 distinguished academics and scientists.

Following payment a receipt can be provided, allowing you to claim expenses through your university.

The event will be held at Bushy House on the NPL Main Site in Teddington. Bushy House can be accessed via the NPL Site Entrance on Queen’s Road and then following Bushy Road to Bushy House.

Bushy House, National Physical Laboratory

Glazebrook Road

Teddington

TW11 0EP

For all NPL events we aim to accommodate specific needs and personal circumstances but are reliant on individuals sharing this information with us. If you have any specific requirements or adjustments to support your attendance, please do let us know by emailing [email protected], so that we can discuss how to best support you. Any information shared will be confidential and deleted after the event.

This meeting is being held in Bushy House. We would like to make you aware that Bushy House is a historic listed building, built in 1663, with unique features that may present some additional barriers to those with certain accessibility or mobility requirements. If you feel you may be affected by this or would like further information in advance, please do get in touch.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

National Physical Laboratory, Bushy House, Glazebrook Road, East Molesey, United Kingdom

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