Research Sandpits
Learning Simulations
Research Sandpits are a common way that Research Councils create and fund collaborations in order to address major research challenges. Those events are intensive and residential, bringing together a small but diverse group of researchers in order to create innovative, collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to tackle a key research challenge of global importance.
In addition to learning and facilitated events for Academia, we offer the “Sandpit” format as a simulated learning experience for postgraduate researchers; for research groups on live programmes seeking to develop their creative thinking skills, and learn how to work effectively in teams under inititiatives such as EPSRC’s “Creativity@home”; and for teams coming up with ideas for proposals or improvements.
The event for Doctoral researchers is a short simulation of a Research Sandpit to give an experience of this intensive approach to collaboration and research proposals. It provides the opportunity to learn tools and practise the key skills of creativity, problem solving, teamwork, interdisciplinary thinking and pitching proposals.
Research Groups
For Research Groups coming together to develop live proposals for research programmes, we work with the client to determine a suitable thinking focus for this format for an event, and integrate key stakeholders, staff, and your requirements into the programme.
Research Sandpit
“Thank you so much for all your support, guidance and energy during this amazing event, and for sharing the photographs. I believe the techniques and insights we learned from you at the Sandpit will stay with me, and be of benefit in many ways. The experience was wonderful, and truly enriching for me – I hope our paths cross again in the future!”
Soudabeh Bahrami Gharamaleki, Doctoral Researcher, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey
See Who we do it for – Academia for our clients and examples of who we work with, and how they responded to what we did for them, and Engagement Formats for different options for delivery.
thinking ahead
With hindsight we can analyse, but the future has to be designed.
proportion
Maintain a sense of proportion: see parts in relation to the whole.
lead your mind
Direct your own mind and pay attention to the ideas you follow.
