This face to face course is run by the Researcher Academy and the University of Nottingham Interdisciplinary Centre for Analytical Science

Target Audience: mid to late stage research postgraduates and research-only staff from all faculties.

Research postgraduates and research-only staff are invited to apply for up to £5,000 pump-prime funding for novel interdisciplinary research project(s) identified at a series of sandpit events. The research projects should offer new and innovative bridges between different disciplines founded on the utilisation of research equipment, instrumentation and facilities. 

What is a ‘sandpit’?

A research sandpit is a facilitated event where participants from different discipline areas share ideas and identify novel joint research projects.

Sandpit event programme,

• Networking lunch

• Introduction and presentations from two previous UNICAS fund holders

• All participants to present a one minute introduction on their research

• Break out session to explore different collaborative ideas

Who is eligible to attend the sandpit and apply for the UNICAS@GS funding?

Research Postgraduates: Mid to late stage postgraduate doctoral research students (full time year 2, 3 & 4 or part time equivalent) 

Research-only staff: Researchers employed by the University of Nottingham (UK campus) Job Families R&T4A-R/4-R/5-R, i.e postdocs, early and mid career researchers).

• expanding their own academic networks

• exploring the ‘sandpit’ process for generating and/or supporting research ideas, leading to at least one academic publication

• developing new and innovative bridges between different disciplines founded on the utilisation of research equipment, instrumentation and facilities.

Lunch is provided at the sandpit. Use the dietary field when booking to let us know if you require a vegan, gluten-free or lactose free meal (vegetarian options catered as standard so no need to let us know). 

There will be two UNICAS@GS sandpit events in 2018/19. Only those who have attended at least one sandpit meeting will be able to apply for the pump-prime funding. For further details about the UNICAS@GS sandpits and pump-prime funding visit the UNICAS@GS webpage. 

Research-only staff (R&T4A-R/4-R/5-R) who wish to form collaborations with other researchers and academic staff may also attend the UNICAS sandpit events (these aren't open to doctoral students). The UNICAS scheme offers pump-prime and seed funding up to £15,000. To book a place at this session visit UNICAS webpage.   This session and associated funding is not open to postgraduate students. 

Course Accessibility

The following table shows a summary of what is needed to participate in the course. 

If you feel you will experience any difficulties participating, please let us know via the ‘special requirements’ tab, providing as much information as possible. The special requirements tab can be completed when you book your place. Alternatively, you can contact us directly at ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk.

Print off pre-requisite paperwork/ resources & bring them to the course (optional)
Bring your own laptop/ PC to the course (optional)
Access seminar room on campus
Attend the course at the specified date and time
Watch and listen to the course tutor(s) and/or other attendees
Follow presentation slides during the course

Booking Conditions

Latecomer policy

Researchers should plan to arrive prior to the advertised course start time. Except for exceptional reasons, there will be no admittance to a Researcher Academy or Faculty Training Programme (FTP) course 15 minutes after the advertised course start time.

Importance of booking commitment

When booking on to a Researcher Academy short course you are entering into a commitment to attend. If you find that you are no longer available to attend you MUST cancel your place (on the system if more than three days before the course) or if at short notice by emailing ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk. This will ensure that your place can be offered to another researcher on the waiting list. Failure to cancel a place results in other researchers missing out on places through the waiting list process.

It is unacceptable for researchers to just not attend when booked onto a course. The Researcher Academy maintains records of those who repeatedly do not attend courses they have booked. This may affect future eligibility to book onto further Researcher Academy courses and will affect considerations for Researcher Academy funded opportunities.