Training and Development

 

DTP Annual Conference

The DTP Annual Conference takes place in August/September every year and is a unique opportunity for SSCP DTP students to present their work to date, and practice giving conference presentations in a highly supportive environment, gain wider perspective of the environmental space, and network with peers, eternal partners and industry.

The conference, often organised in collaboration with other London-based DTPs, is a celebratory showcase to present your research so far, as well as to inform our partners of your interests as well as your progress. Students are highly encouraged to be part of the organising committee which will be supported by the education team. 

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Challenge Teams

Climate and environmental change is unique in its threat and complexity. As world leading researchers in this field, our students have an opportunity to make an impact highlighting the key issues and promoting the need for action among various audiences.

During the first term you will select a topic (or opt to decide your own) and become a member of a Challenge Team for the coming year. Each team is made up of students from different disciplines and stages of their PhDs with a shared outreach goal. This is a fantastic opportunity to communicate your research and engage with others outside of Imperial.

The success of Challenge Teams relies on your proactivity and will make full use of your multidisciplinary skills to tackle the yearlong project – and present your results at the Challenge Team showcase. More information and guidance will be provided during induction and Challenge Team preparation days.

Your team should be meeting every 4 – 6 weeks. If you would like to book the Grantham Boardroom for a meeting, let us know.

Information on previous Challenge Teams can be found on this link.

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Training Needs Analysis - due every year in January and June

In the first few months of your PhD you should meet with your supervisor to identify suitable training courses from within the College’s excellent range of Master's programmes, Graduate School courses, partner courses and also NERC Advanced Training Short Courses. If you find you need additional training that the SSCP DTP and Imperial College London do not currently provide, let us know.

All your training needs and academic outputs will be captured via Inkpath – a skills and career development platform. You should use Inkpath to review their training needs and academic this with your supervisor(s) twice annually (we recommend January and June). The SSCP DTP will use Inkpath at the same time to review review training. This is crucial to the SSCP DTP to allow it to report back to NERC and develop the programme in future years.

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NERC Advanced Training Short Courses

Advanced Training Short Courses (ATSC) are made to seek and address short term skills and training gaps within the environmental sciences that students may have in their PhD. Applications are expected to open in September 2019 for 2019-2020 funding.

The Changing Planet Seminar Series

The Changing Planet Seminar Series is led by students and supported by the Grantham Institute. Seminars occur once a month on a Wednesday at 16:00 in hybrid format in South Kensington, Silwood and online. On occasion, larger venues are needed for higher profile, and therefore more popular, speakers. A list of previous speakers is available here.

SSCP DTP students have the privilege of being able to arrange one-to-one meetings with invited speakers before seminars, which are usually followed by a wine reception.

If you would like to arrange to meet one of our speakers, or you have a suggestion for who to invite to give a seminar, please liaise with the seminar series reps: Arianna Olivelli, Patrick Walkden and Ben Chapple.

You must attend a minimum of four seminars each year.