Newsletter Issue - 26-03-2026

CDT Weekly Newsletter


Welcome to this week’s issue of the newsletter. If there is any news, celebration, or event that you would like to share with your colleagues, please email:

iai-cdt@bristol.ac.uk 



Message from the Director 


From the 20 April, we will be welcoming Helen as a temporary member of staff to help with the admin for the PrO-AI for a couple of months whilst we recruit a replacement for Wanli. Helen’s working hours will be 1-5pm, Monday-Friday. The PrO-AI mailbox will not be monitored outside these times so please allow sufficient time for queries/requests to be responded to.

There will be no newsletter either side of the Spring university closure days (3 April - 7 April); the next newsletter will appear on Friday 17 April (tentative).



Internal call for Google PhD Fellowship applications now open


The 2026 call for Google PhD Fellowships is now open! Bristol can nominate up to three students for this prestigious award, and we invite short applications for internal review by Friday 27th March 2026, 17:00, through this Microsoft form. The three strongest eligible candidates will then be invited to complete a full proposal in time for the final Google deadline on 30th April.How to submit an internal application Please complete this short form: Google PhD Fellowships 2026 - Internal Call Where possible, proposals should be submitted by candidates’ supervisors. Proposals submitted directly by students currently enrolled at Bristol will, however, also be accepted. Responses should include:  

  1. Student details, including a short narrative description of research experience and track record, as well as details of supervisor, faculty and school;  

  1. Project summary (maximum 500 words) to be uploaded. The project summary should be accessible for those who are not specialists in specific field of candidate’s research. If a candidate is successful in receiving a nomination, they will be invited to make the proposal in greater technical detail at the formal application stage;  

  1. Candidate CV to be uploaded. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at doctoral-college@bristol.ac.uk if you have any further questions about this opportunity.  
     



Bristol Doctoral College (BDC) Events and Opportunities  


1. 5 Weeks of Wellbeing (upcoming events for PGR students)   

This March, we’re inviting PGR students to slow down, breathe out, and make space for the parts of life that don’t revolve around research. Over five themed weeks, Bristol Doctoral College will be sharing activities designed to boost your wellbeing, spark joy, help you connect with the PGR community, and reconnect with yourself.   

  • Week 4 (23 - 27 March) Learn a New Skill   

  • Week 5 (30 March - 3 April) Be Mindful   

Get to know the PGR Clubs, join the lunchtime Wednesday Wellbeing Walks, or sign up for one of our other workshops, think zine making, yoga, a mending workshop, a group cycle ride, or even a soothing sound bath. All the events are free to attend and exclusively for postgraduate researchers.   

See all the upcoming opportunities on BDC events calendar, just filter the tags to 5 Weeks of Wellbeing.  

2. ND x LGBTQ+ Network Activity-Based Mixer 

Date: 31 March, 16:30 - 17:00 

Location: PGR Hub 

Event welcome to any PGR or staff identifying as Neurodivergent or LGBTQ+. 

The Neurodivergent PGR Network, LGBTQ+ Staff Network, and Trans & Non-binary PGR Networks will be joining for an evening of crafts and mingling. Lego, paper crafts, and colouring sheets will be provided - feel free to bring your own project along, come just to chat, or just to hang out in a friendly, inclusive, and low-pressure environment. 

Please email nd-pgr-network@bristol.ac.uk if you have any questions or would like to register your interest. 
 



Global Lounge - Spring vacation events (19 March to 10 April)


If you are staying in Bristol over the vacation period, it’s a great chance to meet up with others, learn about spring and Easter traditions and enjoy some free chocolate mini eggs! Come along each week to Culture Club, Language Café and Friday Hangouts. Make friends from around the world, learn something new and enjoy our friendly, welcoming community. There will be an event on the last day before closure, Thursday 2 April, and then after the University reopens on Wednesday 8 April. 

See all of upcoming events on Global Lounge: Upcoming events 



University of Bristol Innovation Showcase 2026


Time: 14:00 - 18:30

Location: Watershed

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has been creating change-makers for 10 years!

The 2026 Showcase and Runway Awards is your chance to celebrate and look forward to the future as we make the move to our new Temple Quarter Campus. Meet the brilliant minds of our 2026 graduating class and connect with entrepreneurs, businesses and innovators who are shaping the future. Hear about our graduating students’ projects at the Showcase, tackling everything from fresh water scarcity to electric vehicle adoption and elite athlete recovery; ideas that will define the next decade.

Take your seat for the Runway Awards and see the Centre’s entrepreneurs pitch live for a share of £75,000 in funding. With 2026 a milestone year for the Centre, this is the perfect moment to be part of the next chapter in Bristol’s innovation success story.

Reserve your spot here. 



Around Bristol


AJ Bell Great Bristol 10K 2026

Over 950 of our community participate in the annual Great Bristol run. Come and join us and conquer the streets … run, walk or jog the Great Bristol 10K with us. 

Event details:

Find out more at the Event page here.



British Summer Time


⏰ This is a reminder that the clocks will go forward 1 hour at 1am on 29 March - the official start of British Summer Time. Please prepare emotionally for the loss of precious sleep.



Forthcoming Calendar of Events



CDT AI Symposium – Foundation and Applications of Trustworthy AI