Training

Talent and Culture replaced People and Organisational Development (POD) within the People Function (HR) website during the summer 2025. A new learning and talent programme has been announced which spans key areas crucial to the success of Imperial staff, including:

• Micro-development sessions for staff
• Courses and programmes
• Coaching and mentoring
• Imperial Essentials 

The Early Career Researcher Institute offers extensive learning and development opportunities that support postdoctoral staff and research fellows. The Research Impact and Knowledge Exchange programme includes various training opportunities that are specifically related to public engagement.

School governors' network – Launched in December 2016, this network aims to support staff members who are School Governors, to share expertise and best practice and to identify ways that Imperial can engage better with schools. 

The NIHR Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC) has developed a free online course Public Involvement in Research which is suitable for both researchers and most patients/members of the public who may be involved in research or wish to be. For more details on this course and other public involvement training resources please click on the link above.

Advancing Human Health through Engagement - This short course moves beyond the traditional notions of "public engagement" to explore methods for discussing issues around policy, healthcare, research, trust and ethical practice, involving clinicians, scientists, patients, wider publics and society at large.   The short course is for experienced clinicians and will be led by Dr. Laura Coates and Professor Roger Kneebone.  

Imperial Policy Forum can offer a range of support if you are considering submitting a response to any of the below opportunities, including:

• Support in identifying the elements of the consultation/enquiry relevant to your research
• Ensuring that your evidence is submitted in a clear way that meets the requirements of the department or Committee
• Providing useful tips for producing both written and oral evidence
• Promoting your contributions through our social media and comms channels

• The Skills Development Programme (SDP), which is Endorsed by the Institute of Leadership & Management, goes one step further and recognises the skills you have developed alongside your volunteering hours through short, reflective assignments following the training workshops. Upon completing the Skills Development Programme you will received an ILM Endorsed Certificate, which clearly demonstrates to graduate recruiters the practical skills you have developed. 
• The Pimlico Connection - The Union support students to volunteer to become Pimlico Connection Tutors, providing a half-day training session that aims to impart information about the English school system and the National Curriculum, address importance of clear communication as a tutor, introduce responsibilities and finally plan and deliver tutor sessions. This has also previously included a workshop on public speaking. 

Eligible Year 2 students can choose the Public Engagement: Connecting Audiences and Research module as part of their I-Explore STEMM programme.  Developed and delivered by the Societal Engagement team, this interactive module explores what is public engagement with research, why it matters and what makes it high-quality. Students evaluate a public engagement event and develop their own engagement activity for specific audiences and Imperial research. 

The Imperial Horizons programme offers a wide range of courses for all Imperial College undergraduates. It is designed to broaden education, inspire creativity and enhance professional impact.

I-Explore is a broad portfolio of for degree credit modules, providing an opportunity for students to broaden their knowledge and tackle a subject area outside of their core discipline. Depending on their department, students will take their I-Explore module in either their second or third year of study at Imperial.

The Early Career Researcher Institute offers extensive learning and development opportunities that support early career researchers, including research degree students. The Research Impact and Knowledge Exchange programme includes various training opportunities that are specifically related to public engagement.

• Postgraduate Student Coaching Programme – this scheme provides an opportunity for Post Graduates to work with local schools and inspire young audiences to consider studying science, technology, engineering, mathematics and business subjects. There are currently approximately 30 ambassadors enrolled on the scheme.
  
  
• [External opportunity] Royal Institution’s Masterclasses - hands-on and interactive extracurricular sessions in mathematics or computer science. They are designed to  nurture students’ curiosity and inspire them to continue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) engagement into the future. 

British Society for Immunology internship

The BSI internship scheme offers three-month internships to graduates interested in exploring the career possibilities available within learned societies. The internship will allow you to learn more about the activities that the Society undertakes, with a particular focus on our public engagement work.

Science Media Centre Internship

The Science Media Centre (SMC) is an independent press office for science, which works on some of the most controversial topics around. They have an internship programme, with applications open twice a year.  
The internship mainly involves research and administrative tasks and is most suitable for final-year undergrads, postgrad students or those looking for an early-stage career change. Internships last for four weeks, full-time (35-hour weeks) and pays the London Living Wage.

Digital media internship

The Royal Institution offers digital media placements to PhD students who are eligible for a stipend via their DTP/University/research council in order to undertake a 3 month professional internship (UK).