CDT Winter School 2021: Imran Ahmed tells us his experience

The UKCCSRC recently supported Imran Ahmed from Newcastle University to attend the ECR Winter School hosted by the CDT in Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems. Here he shares his experiences about his time in Nottingham:

“I am a first year PhD student at Newcastle University. My field of research is supported molten-salt membranes for CO₂ permeation and my supervisors are Dr Greg A. Mutch and Professor Ian S. Metcalfe. I received the opportunity from the UKCCSRC to attend the Winter School, hosted by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems, in Nottingham. Spread over 3 days, the Winter School was an opportunity to learn from and network with other students and professionals working on technologies and strategies to combat climate change.

A number of external speakers from professional backgrounds spoke at the event on their contributions to climate change solutions. I was given a detailed overview of the ongoing political efforts at international, national, regional and local levels through speakers from IFRF, BEIS, UKRI, Nottingham City Council and Glastonbury Council. This allowed me to better understand the political motivations and procedures necessary to achieve net zero emissions as a scientific-focused PhD student.

As well as networking and learning from industry professionals, all doctoral students at the event were given the opportunity to present their own work. These presentations gave me an insight into the vast array of research being carried out across a range of disciplines to provide solutions in the fight against climate change. I presented my own research on supported molten-salt membranes and was given useful feedback on how to structure my future work, as well as tips on how to better engage both technical and non-technical audiences.

Over the course of the 3-day event, students were split into small teams and prompted to create a presentation on what a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions future may look like. This allowed me to better understand the nature and scale of the challenges we face and how an interdisciplinary systems-based approach is required to combat the climate crisis.

I would like to thank the organisers of the Winter School hosted by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems as well as the UKCCSRC for sponsoring my attendance at the event.”

Imran Ahmed, Newcastle University – pictured far left

Thanks Imran!