Completing a PhD is about more than producing a thesis—it’s about developing a versatile skill set that prepares researchers for diverse career paths. The FIBE3 CDT training emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and leadership alongside technical expertise. By equipping PhD students with these transferable skills, we ensure they are ready to tackle complex challenges and make meaningful contributions both inside and outside academia.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training helps students understand the role of diversity in innovation and equips them to create inclusive research environments. Activities such as The Diversity Fresco, unconscious-bias workshops, and sessions on intercultural communication build awareness, empathy, and confidence in navigating Cambridge’s international research landscape.
Each year, our PhD students participate in the Cambridge Festival, designing interactive outreach games that align with the theme of Unlocking Net Zero. These activities go far beyond public engagement—they are powerful training opportunities. By translating complex research into accessible ideas for diverse audiences, students strengthen their communication skills and build confidence in public speaking. Outreach fosters creativity in engagement, adaptability in responding to unexpected challenges, and teamwork through collaborative design. It also sharpens organizational and project management abilities while promoting cultural awareness to ensure messages are inclusive and impactful.
Supporting student wellbeing is a priority throughout the programme. Interactivesessions by the CLIC team help new cohorts build strong foundations for collaboration and equip students with practical strategies to maintain wellbeing and balance during the pressures of postgraduate study. Also, to promote long-term success, our training in Sustainable Academic Practice introduces evidence-based approaches to managing workload, maintaining motivation, and developing healthy research habits. A complementary workshop on storytelling and pitching helps students communicate their research clearly, confidently, and with impact.
Students also will receive training in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), delivered by the School of Technology, which introduces key principles for conducting research that is ethical, socially aware, and aligned with public needs. Alongside this, we will provide a dedicated sessions on Trusted Research, covering good practice in international collaboration, legal considerations such as export control, and practical steps to protect research security.
Finally, workshops on environmental sustainability will be introduced to the CDT students in the upcoming Easter term led by Cambridge Zero, helping them consider the environmental impact of their work and embed sustainable practices into their research approach.