Anna Baker (2012 cohort)
Please provide a brief summary of your PhD project.
My PhD research focussed on the development of programmable shape changing materials from soft, wet and biocompatible plastics.
Did you choose to continue your XP project as a PhD? Why or why not?
Yes, I really enjoyed working with my research group in the School of Chemistry and wanted to continue onto a PhD at the interface between Chemistry and Engineering.
How did the taught component benefit your PhD research?
I came from a chemistry background and had very little engineering knowledge. The taught component enabled me to learn the engineering and composite knowledge I needed for my PhD, without it I would have been unable to undertake a multi-disciplinary PhD.
How did the cohort structure benefit your PhD research?
The cohort structure really benefited me. It meant I could rapidly get up to speed with the engineering as there were 10 engineers in the cohort I could get advice and guidance from. The cohort environment was also incredibly supportive, it was great to have a network of peers outside the immediate research field.
What did you most value about being part of a CDT?
The most valuable part of being part of the CDT was the access to the community of researchers and other PhD students; coming from a chemistry background it was invaluable to have other PhD students from a non-engineering background to talk to who were also going through the same experience of completing a PhD outside their initial field.
What was the 'impact' of your research?
I was fortunate enough to present my research, which was very ‘blue sky’, at international conferences and also publish a number of papers in leading science and engineering journals.
During the PhD, through public engagement, I was able to demonstrate the importance of my work, and smart plastics more generally, to the wider research community, general public and school children.
What was your destination on leaving the CDT?
Research Assistant at the University of Bath (Mechanical Engineering).
What are your main responsibilities?
My main responsibilities are conducting research in to 4D printing of hydrogels, supervising undergraduate project students and teaching undergraduate labs.
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years' time?
I am currently going through a change in career direction into secondary school teaching and hope to have moved up into a leadership role in 5 to 10 years, such as Head of Department or maybe a Head Teacher.
How have the skills and knowledge you acquired during your time in the CDT helped develop your career?
The CDT provided me with a range of skills both technical and broader skills. Beyond a conventional PhD the CDT route provided me with more opportunities to present at conferences, take part in public engagement and network across a broad spectrum of fields.