Our exciting programme on 8-10 September 2026 offers a rich blend of training, networking, and cohort-building experiences. Further information on registration to follow soon.
Active Networking with SkillfluenceNetworking is no longer a nice-to-have skill, but a core competency required to excel in today’s workplace. Build confidence and learn how to connect with the right people in this practical networking workshop.
In the Active Networking programme, you will learn how to make strong first impressions, start and end conversations smoothly, and follow up to turn quick chats into lasting professional relationships. You’ll also get PhD-focused LinkedIn guidance: improving your profile, finding relevant researchers and industry contacts, and messaging effectively to grow your network beyond academia.
With guidance tailored specifically for PhD researchers, this workshop will leave you with practical tools you can use straight away. It’s an ideal opportunity to learn, practise, and refine your approach to networking in a supportive environment.
In a series of short talks throughout the event, guest speakers from NPL, academia and industry will explore their career paths after completing their PhDs and offer advice for launching a successful career of your own. We will explore the different options available after graduation, best practices and how to effectively utilise your connections and networks for beginning, continuing, and maintaining a highly successful career journey.
React is a unique training provider that uses drama and theatre to create practical, immersive learning experiences.
In this dynamic workshop, professional actors will role-play supervisory scenarios in fresh and compelling ways, offering an engaging space to examine what makes a successful PhD–supervisor relationship. Through interactive scenes and group discussions, participants will unpack effective communication, understand common pitfalls, and reflect on strategies for building constructive and resilient relationships.
Designed to challenge expectations and spark fresh insights, this session promises an energising and memorable learning experience.
The Presentation Skills Training session is based on the idea that presentations are used not merely to communicate information but to influence, persuade and maintain the attention of an audience.
This session will support you to design and deliver more effective presentations at meetings, events, conferences, lectures and pitches by focusing on what makes a successful talk.
The session will be delivered by Simon Cain, owner of Westbourne Training & Consulting. Simon has worked with the NPL over many years and specialises in presentation & pitching skills. He has delivered workshops to over forty universities and a wide range of commercial organisations. In addition, he has worked with over 400 researchers to create their pitch for a funding grant.
PGI alumni will come together to share their experiences, insights, and advice. This informal discussion is a chance to hear different stories, ask questions, and learn more about the opportunities and journeys that follow the PGI. Whether you are curious, planning ahead, or simply looking for inspiration, the roundtable will provide a valuable space for conversation and connection.
Day Two of the PGI Summer School will conclude with an evening social hosted at The Pavilion in Bushy Park, bringing participants together to relax, connect and enjoy a well-earned break. Expect good food, great company and plenty of opportunities to share stories and reflections from the week so far.
On the final day, you’ll have the chance to put your newly gained skills into action through a friendly competition designed to reinforce your learning. It’s a great opportunity to build confidence, work with others and try something new. And of course, there’ll be prizes to win!
The PGI was established in 2015 with the aim of becoming the leading institution for postgraduate research and training in measurement science in the UK. The vision for the PGI was developed through a strategic partnership between the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the University of Strathclyde and the University of Surrey.
We work with a range of academic and industrial partners to provide a prominent and distinctive centre for collaborative measurement science research and state-of-the-art training facilities to develop a highly skilled future workforce.
Our cohort has been growing rapidly since our establishment and we currently have around 200 students working on various multi-disciplinary projects with over 30 universities across the UK, working under the supervision of around 250 distinguished academics and scientists.
Our research and measurement solutions support innovation and product development. We work with companies to deliver business advantage and commercial success.
Contact our Customer Services team on +44 20 8943 7070