Outreach in the local community gives students a chance to share their passion for science and engineering with others. They are keen to encourage schoolchildren of all ages, and particularly females, to consider STEM subjects and particularly engineering as a career option.

Students in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Communications work to generate public awareness of Communications and the research taking place within the CDT by running workshops in schools, hosting visits to the labs, participating in Engineering and Science Fairs, acting as STEM ambassadors, longer term projects with local schools and making videos.

The Centre works closely with students and staff from a local school on a long-term project to help develop their curiosity about engineering. Students have the opportunity to develop their core transferable skills essential when working and to learn about engineering. This engagement goes beyond the traditional model of a school outreach and has developed over the last few years with students co-presenting our exhibition stand at Bath TAPS Engineering and Science Fair, and presenting their work at our annual research conferences.

Postgraduates also participated a range of outreach activities organised by their host research groups and the School of Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Engineering Maths. These have included visits to local primary schools, hosting activities for schoolchildren at the University, mentoring schoolchildren involved in a Dress Sense technology competition, working as STEM ambassadors within local schools and as University Student Ambassadors to promote widening participation.