Image courtesy Nathan Pitt, Department of Chemistry.
On Friday 23 October, the department held its second Graduate Admissions Open Day, with over 100 potential graduate students attending from across the UK and Europe.
An army of volunteers from our community of PhDs and postdocs – some 40 in all – offered to help out throughout the day; manning the registration desk, keeping research sessions in order by stepping in as sessions chairs, acting as tour guides, presenting posters, and being great ambassadors and representatives for the many research groups in the department.
The focus of the day was to give visitors the opportunity to find out about taking their chemistry studies to the next level by getting immersed in research. The day began with a welcome from Head of Department Professor John Pyle, followed by Dr Deborah Longbottom’s introduction to the department’s comprehensive Graduate Education programme.
Academic staff representing our five Research Interest Groups gave research talks, which were split into sessions across the morning and afternoon over three lecture theatres. Visitors were able to sign up for department tours and visit some core facilities and laboratories. A poster session was held during buffet lunch and the day closed with a social reception.
The day was largely co-organised by Dr Rebecca Myers (Head of Graduate Recruitment) and Suil Collins, a PhD student in Professor David Spring’s group and the Graduate Representative on the Graduate Education Committee.