Global Fellows Programme

Imperial-TUM-NTU Global Fellows Programme:
The Role of Robotics in Well-being and the Workplace
20 - 24 June 2022

From 20th - 24th June 2022 the Technical University of Munich (TUM) will host the 2nd  trilateral Global Fellows Program in partnership with Imperial College London (Imperial) and the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore). 

In the current scientific environment international collaborations and networking are the basis for developing successful projects. In a competitive research environment funding is increasingly drawn to interdisciplinary, collaborative research with partners from around the world. The modern researcher requires both excellence in research and developed professional competencies. This exciting course will provide an opportunity for participants to focus on the development of these professional competencies and then apply them to address topics under the programme theme.

Throughout the week approximately 40 doctoral researchers from NTU, TUM and Imperial will work together to develop professional, research and collaborative competencies as well as intercultural awareness that is required to establish and continue successful collaborations.

Participants will also have the opportunity to apply those skills and competencies to address topics under the program theme “The role of robotics in well-being and the workplace”. Robotics, robot alike systems and artificial intelligence not only have in-depth implications for manufacturing and industry but also enable new approaches to tackling societal challenges like aging society and healthcare. Such rapid technological advances also demand continuous adjustments and new approaches to how we deal with disruptions to established patterns in our everyday life and work, as well as how we relate to one another. 

During the program, participants will engage in intercultural, interdisciplinary and intersectoral discussions and develop their own creative approaches to handle and use robotics to tackle societal challenges and enhance everyday life and work. Furthermore, guest speakers from Imperial, NTU and TUM will provide participants with insight into current research in (but not limited to) human-robot interaction, the future of work, policy making and ethical aspects of robotics and AI, impact of rapidly advancing technologies on everyday wellbeing, as well as robotic technologies for elderly & health care. 

Overall the program is designed to facilitate active interdisciplinary and intersectoral discussions and approaches.

A background on the subject is not essential, doctoral candidates from any discipline are invited to apply for this 5-day professional skills course.

This is a chance to challenge yourself outside of your normal working environment, meet people from other disciplines and cultures, and have fun!

Any additional queries not answered in webpages, please contact Laura Bulmer or Dr Elena Forasacco

You can read about the experiences of previous participants in the Global Fellows Programme here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/students/global-opportunities/pg/student-experiences/

Further Information

Programme Information

During the 5-day program, participants will work in interdisciplinary and international groups, assisted by a coach from one of the partner universities.

During the programme, participants will enhance:

  • Their competencies to work collaboratively on research ideas
  • Their competencies to network and communicate effectively and with impact in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams
  • Their intercultural and international competency and awareness
  • Their creativity to develop collaborative research ideas
  • Their appreciation of research in international institutions

Eligibility & how to apply

Imperial College London participants must:

  • Be a current doctoral student from any discipline (note: this programme is not open to MRes students).
  • Be between 6 and 30 months into their PhD at the time the programme takes place (6 and 48 months for part-time students).
  • Not have taken part in a previous Imperial College Global Fellows Programmes.

This programme counts towards the attendance requirement.

Application process

Doctoral students need to fill an application form by 5PM on 14 February 2022. In their application applicants should:

  • show their awareness of competencies and skills needed to develop international collaborations
  • explain what they expect to contribute to and gain from the programme
  • demonstrate enthusiasm for engaging with international peers from the partner universities
  • explain how their current competencies, skills and knowledge (e.g. communication skills, adaptability, technical skills, creativity) can support the development of innovations linked to “the role of robotics in well-being and the workplace”
  • show their willingness to be an ambassador for Imperial College London
  • show their willingness to share their experiences on the programme within the Imperial College London post-graduate community after the programme.

Successful applicants will be notified within 4 weeks of the application deadline.

Note: Due to the large volume of applications received it is not possible to provide feedback on individual applications.

Practical Details

  • The course will take place on the Garching campus of the Technical University of Munich Germany.
  • Single room hotel accommodation will be provided from Sunday 19th June to Saturday 25th June.
  • Imperial will arrange and pay for accommodation for participants for the programme week. Breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday is also included.
  • Imperial will provide a contribution of £200 towards each participants’ flight and visa costs (where applicable).
  • Detailed guidance on visas, travel health arrangements and travel will be provided to all participants after selection.

Covid-19

While we very much hope that the Global Fellows Programme can go ahead in person, international opportunities may continue to be impacted by the pandemic. The situation is fast-moving and dynamic and may require adjustments at short notice. We will continuously monitor the Covid-19 situation over the coming months and will advise and adapt accordingly. The College will need to adhere to host institution requirements as well as to UK and international travel advice and restrictions. Overseas opportunities may be cancelled or delivered in an alternative format. We will keep all students informed.

College updates can be found here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/about/covid-19/students/

Details about TUM’s Covid-19 policies and regulations, including vaccination status, can be found here. This information is subject to change. We will provide further guidance to all selected students.

In order to comply with local regulations at TUM and entry requirements for Germany, all participants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, unless exempt. Please review the following and remain alert for updates:

The in-person programme will be cancelled in the event of any of the following: 

  • there are isolation/quarantine requirements after travel in the UK or Germany 
  • any one of the international partners is unable to attend 
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office bans ‘all but essential travel’ to Germany  
  • current restrictions and regulations would not allow delivery of a successful event

A final decision about whether the programme can proceed in person will be made on 25th March 2022. Participants should not book flights or make any other financial commitments or arrangements related to the programme before this date and confirmation from the programme organisers. Further instructions will be provided to all participants.

If the in-person programme is cancelled we will work with partners to consider possible alternatives, including remote delivery.

Research Visits - Funding

Global Fellows Programme participants may also be interested to apply to the separate Imperial Global Fellows Fund, a new scheme to support high impact international placements for PhD students in labs at Imperial’s strategic international partners. Students, with support of their PhD supervisor and host supervisor, will have the opportunity to spend between 1 and 3 months at an eligible partner institution. NTU and TUM are both included as possible partner institutions.

Placements much be completed during the 2021/22 academic year and all grant funds spent by 31 August 2022. The International Relations Office will provide top up funding equal to the cost of living grant provided by the Turing scheme. Applications will be reviewed on the 10th of every month until funds are exhausted.

For more information on eligibility, funding, partners and the application process, please visit the Global Fellows webpage here. 

Please note, this opportunity is separate to the Global Fellows Programme and requires a separate application. Please see link above.

Any questions, please contact the International Relations Office at globalseedfunds@imperial.ac.uk.