Our vision for the FIBE3 CDT is to lead a transformation to net zero infrastructure through industry partner co-creation and co-delivery of an inspirational doctoral training programme for cohorts of emerging talents from diverse academic and social backgrounds. We will transform their potential by equipping them with the understanding, skills and qualities to collaboratively engineer the infrastructure that will unlock net zero through conducting world-class, cutting-edge and user-need focused cohort-based training and research to lead the design and implementation of the infrastructure net zero agenda in the UK.
The FIBE3 CDT strategy revolves around two main elements: the FIBE3 Roadmap and the 4D T-shaped training model.
The FIBE3 CDT academics, industry partners and students will collectively generate a live and dynamic FIBE3 Roadmap that will act as the umbrella to guide all the CDT activities and its evolution and expansion. The Roadmap will be updated annually to ensure that the CDT continues to address the needs of the sector to deliver ambitious yet realistic and achievable outcomes.
The FIBE3 Roadmap will be built around four high level thematic enablers. These are:
- Existing and disruptive/new technologies
- Radical circularity and whole life approach
- AI-driven digitalisation and data
- Risk-based systems thinking and connectivity
The 4D T-shaped training model builds on the successful FIBE2 CDT 3D T-shaped model consisting of depth, breadth and cross-disciplinarity as the third dimension. In FIBE3, a fourth dimension of industry and collaboration has been added to represent the central role that collaboration with industry will play in shaping all the FIBE3 CDT training elements.
High level net zero infrastructure engineering concepts will be delivered by both academic and industry leaders and closely related to underpinning technical challenges and solutions. This will be linked to broad cohort-based training of the relevant environmental, societal, economic, business and policy impacts as well as responsible research and innovation (RRI), trusted research (TR), environmental sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training. The four dimensions of the T-shaped training are interwoven and brought together through problem-based challenges using large-scale infrastructure case studies, all within the context of the evolving FIBE3 Roadmap and associated four enabling research and training themes.
