Newsletter Issue - 22-10-2026

CDT Weekly Newsletter


Welcome to this week’s issue of the newsletter.



EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway Fellowship - 2026 Call 


EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway Fellowship - 2026 Call 

Closing date: 1 November 2026

Applications are now open for the EPSRC Postdoctoral Pathway Fellowships. These prestigious fellowships offer recent EPSRC-funded PhD graduates—or those nearing completion of their EPSRC-funded PhD—the chance to begin their independent research career at the University of Bristol through a two-year funded position. The call is open to both internal and external applicants. 

Fellows will have the opportunity to design and lead their own innovative research programme at the cutting edge of Science and Engineering. 

Benefits of the Fellowship include: 

Apply through the University jobs portal. 

Full details, including application guidance and candidate notes, can be found via the link above. 

If you have any questions, please contact: EPSRC-Postdoctoral-Pathway@bristol.ac.uk.



Storytelling for Research (by yellowlees)


Thursday 12 November 2026, 10am - 12:30pm, Room 5.223, Sloane Robinson Building

How can you help people understand and connect with your research? This workshop explores how imagery, empathy and curiosity can help you engage your audience and communicate the value of your work.

Combining theory with practical ideas, the session will introduce storytelling tools for researchers, explaining not only how they work but why they are effective.

The cost is £80 (depending on the number of attendees, with 30 places available). The cost will be charged to your RTSG.

If you wish to attend, please sign up using the online form and let us know.



Develop Your Research Identity


Tuesday 10 November 2026, 1 - 2pm, Online (Microsoft Teams)

Join Pui Anantrasirichai and Steven Ramsay for a session aimed at researchers in the early stages of their academic careers, including those who have recently completed their PhD.

Drawing on their own experiences, they will share practical advice on establishing a research profile, creating opportunities and finding your place within the research community.

The talk will be followed by a Q&A.

If you have topics you would like to see covered in a future How-To Session, or would like to contribute to a session, please email cs-staff-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk.

 



AI & HPC Talk Series – Autumn 2026


The AI & HPC Talk Series brings people together to share experiences of using AI and high-performance computing (HPC), including the good, the bad and the ugly, to help others avoid hours of trial and error.

Upcoming talks

For more information, email grp-ai-hpc-physics@groups.bristol.ac.uk.



AI CDT Lunch and Learn Seminar


Please save the date for our next CDT AI Lunch and Learn Seminar as follows:

Date: Wednesday 4 November

Location: Room 3.305, Sloane Robinson Building

Time: 1:30 - 3pm

Speaker and Talk title to be confirmed.

We will have a light lunch and the chance to network with colleagues in the social area, room 3.710 from 1:30 - 2pm followed by the talk in room 3.305 from 2pm - 3pm. Please join us if you can.



Bristol Doctoral College (BDC) Events and Opportunities   


1. PGR Board Game Club 

28 October 2026, 18:00 – 20:00, Senate House (PGR Hub)

Join the PGR Board Game club for an evening of board game entertainment! Hosted in the PGR Hub’s Training Room with food and drink provided, there will be a range of board games available to play, ranging from Werewolf, to Catan, to Forbidden Island!

Book you ticket here.

 

2. PGR Coffee Morning: PGR Careers Support

30 October 2026, 10:30-11:30, Senate House (PGR Hub)

Start your Friday with coffee, pastries and conversation with fellow postgraduate researchers. No booking is required.

The Careers Service offers support for PGRs at all stages of their career journey, from exploring next steps to checking CVs and cover letters. There are also sessions on academic, academic-adjacent and alternative careers. Visit the PGR Compass to explore the support available.

Selected University services also join the coffee mornings throughout the year, providing a relaxed opportunity to find out more about support and opportunities for PGRs.

See the PGR events calendar for upcoming events.

 

3. Expressing Criticality in Your Writing

3 November 2026, 14:00–16:00, Senate House (PGR Hub)

Want to develop your doctoral writing skills? Explore how to critically analyse research, develop your academic voice and use effective writing techniques to communicate your engagement with the literature in this workshop.

Book your tickets here.

 

4. How to Get Published in Research Journals

4 November 2026, 14:00–16:00, Senate House (PGR Hub)

Want to publish your research but not sure where to start? Join this workshop led by Sharon Harris, Journals Development Editor at University of Bristol Press, who has over 25 years’ experience in journal publishing. Learn how to choose a suitable journal, understand the editorial and peer-review process, and improve your chances of publication.

Book your tickets here.



Funding opportunities for Interactive AI CDT students


Two additional funding opportunities are available to support current and former Interactive AI CDT students.

1. Interactive AI Impact Funding

Funding is available to help current and former IAI CDT students explore opportunities to create impact from their PhD research. This could include developing research collaborations, exploring commercial opportunities, informing policy or professional practice, improving public services, supporting communities or contributing to sustainability and public engagement.

Support could include travel to collaborators or partner sites, equipment for a pilot project, justified project expenses or up to three additional months of stipend. Most applications are expected to be below £5,000, although larger requests may be considered.

The scheme does not cover routine PhD costs, thesis completion or general conference attendance. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the funding is spent.

Find out more and apply.

2. Post-Submission Conference Funding

Additional funding is available for IAI CDT students to present papers arising from their PhD at leading conferences after submitting their thesis. Funding can contribute towards registration, travel, accommodation and reasonable subsistence costs.

This is separate from RTSG support and is intended for presenting an accepted paper, rather than conference attendance alone. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to available funding.

Find out more and apply.



Congratulations!


Many congratulations to Dr Ellie Prosser for winning one of the FSE Best Doctoral Thesis awards this year with a thesis entitled “Interactive Agents for Online Child Safety”. Ellie was supervised by Matthew Edwards and Claudia Peersman and sponsored by the Interactive AI CDT. 

UoB LinkedIn announcement: University of Bristol awards prizes for best doctoral theses | Professor Harry Mellor posted on the …

Ellie’s LinkedIn post: https://lnkd.in/p/eTi5E6k5

 



Getting Started at the British Library


Thursday 29 October, 2–4pm | Online

New to the British Library? Join this free online session for an introduction to its collections, catalogue and research facilities. The session will cover reader registration, searching for and ordering materials, and development opportunities for PhD and postdoctoral researchers, including placements, studentships and fellowships. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

Booking is essential. Find out more and book your place.



Forthcoming Calendar of Events



UK AI Research Symposium