On 20th and 21st November 2024, Royce hosted our annual PhD Research Sandpit session with Saint-Gobain UK and facilitators Company of Mind.
The research sandpit model is a common approach used by research councils, like the EPSRC, to stimulate new thinking to address complex problems or challenges and allocate funding. This sandpit event was an opportunity for students to learn that process, working with a real-world example and learn skills in the following areas:
- Address a genuine “grand challenge” faced by industry and society where materials science and engineering can have significant impact.
- Explore the extents of their imagination, technical capability, energy, and creativity as a researcher in materials science to explore potentially ground-breaking, disruptive concepts that will help the field.
- Learn and practise systematic tools for creative thinking – for the generation, evaluation and management of ideas.
- Build new networks among peers, gain more practice in research teams across a range of disciplines for a shared purpose, and put cases together.
- Develop collaborative proposals to a tight deadline and present them.
The “Grand Challenges” presented at this Sandpit were based around the materials that form the basis of some of Saint-Gobain UK’s product lines, namely; Interior Solutions (plasterboard), Light Admission (glass), Exterior Solutions (brick and render), and Insulation (glass mineral wool). Each area required solutions to reduce their embodied carbon emissions and improve their product circularity through end-of-life recovery, for reuse or recycling, to enhance Saint-Gobain UK’s circular economy offering.
The students in attendance – representing areas of materials science, chemistry, engineering, physics and nano-technology – were split into teams for each of the challenges. Across the two days, the teams were expected to create a proposal to address the issues raised in their allocated challenge area and present in front of a team of experts, acting as a research council. The experts then provided feedback based on criteria such as the quality of methodology proposed, potential research impact and stakeholder buy-in.
Tom Hancocks, Training and Skills Manager:
“This signature Royce event is a fantastic way for us to interact with the wider materials UK student community. The event challenges them to consider the wider scientific landscape beyond their area of expertise, whilst offering chances to consider how their knowledge and skills will play a part in driving materials innovation in their future careers.”
George Miller, Student Engagement Manager:
“The Royce PhD Student Sandpit is an exciting opportunity for students to experience new ways of working and generating ideas. It’s also an insight into the challenges industry faces, and the many considerations, materials-focused and otherwise, that are involved in building a complete solution.”
