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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/L01582X/1
Title: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Infrastructure Systems
Principal Investigator: Powrie, Professor W
Other Investigators:
Kemp, Professor PS Preston, Professor JM
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Arup Group Ltd Buro Happold CEMIG
Centre for Env Fisheries Aqua Sci CEFAS Chalmers University of Technology China Three Gorges University
Chinese Academy of Science Delft University of Technology Department of the Army
EDF Environment Agency (Grouped) Federal University of Lavras
Federal University of Sao Joao del Rei Fisheries and Oceans Canada Fugro EMU Limited
Humboldt State University Hydro Tasmania Kilbride Group
Lloyd's Register Group Nanyang Technological University National Grid
Network Rail Nova Scotia Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Laboratory
RWE Generation Sandia National Laboratory Southampton City Council
Southern Water Thames Water Plc TWI Ltd
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) United States Department of the Interior University of Calgary
University of California (to be replaced University of Melbourne University of Washington
University of Wollongong Uppsala University W J Groundwater Ltd
Wessex Water Ltd
Department: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment
Organisation: University of Southampton
Scheme: Centre for Doctoral Training
Starts: 01 May 2014 Ends: 01 July 2023 Value (£): 3,149,530
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Building Ops & Management Construction Ops & Management
Structural Engineering Transport Ops & Management
Urban & Land Management Water Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Construction Energy
Transport Systems and Vehicles Water
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
23 Oct 2013 EPSRC CDT 2013 Interviews Panel A Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
UK economic growth, security, and sustainability are in danger of being compromised due to insufficient infrastructure supply. This partly reflects a recognised skills shortage in Engineering and the Physical Sciences. The proposed EPSRC funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) aims to produce the next generation of engineers and scientists needed to meet the challenge of providing Sustainable Infrastructure Systems critical for maintaining UK competitiveness. The CDT will focus on Energy, Water, and Transport in the priority areas of National Infrastructure Systems, Sustainable Built Environment, and Water. Future Engineers and Scientists must have a wide range of transferable and technical skills and be able to collaborate at the interdisciplinary interface. Key attributes include leadership, the ability to communicate and work as a part of a large multidisciplinary network, and to think outside the box to develop creative and innovative solutions to novel problems. The CDT will be based on a cohort ethos to enhance educational efficiency by integrating best practices of traditional longitudinal top-down / bottom-up learning with innovative lateral knowledge exchange through peer-to-peer "coaching" and outreach. To inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists an outreach supply chain will link the focal student within his/her immediate cohort with: 1) previous and future cohorts; 2) other CDTs within and outside the University of Southampton; 3) industry; 4) academics; 5) the general public; and 6) Government. The programme will be composed of a first year of transferable and technical taught elements followed by 3 years of dedicated research with the opportunity to select further technical modules, and/or spend time in industry, and experience international training placements. Development of expertise will culminate in an individual project aligned to the relevant research area where the skills acquired are practiced. Cohort building and peer-to-peer learning will be on-going throughout the programme, with training in leadership, communication, and problem solving delivered through initiatives such as a team building residential course; a student-led seminar series and annual conference; a Group Design Project (national or international); and industry placement. The cohort will also mentor undergraduates and give outreach presentations to college students, school children, and other community groups. All activities are designed to facilitate the creation of a larger network. Students will be supported throughout the programme by their supervisory team, intensively at the start, through weekly tutorials during which a technical skills gap analysis will be conducted to inform future training needs. Benefitting from the £120M investment in the new Engineering Campus at the Boldrewood site the CDT will provide a high class education environment with access to state-of-the-art computer and experimental facilities, including large-scale research infrastructure, e.g. hydraulics laboratories with large flumes and wave tanks which are unparalleled in the UK. Students will benefit from the co-location of engineering, education, and research alongside industry users through this initiative. To provide cohort, training, inspiration and research legacies the CDT will deliver:

1) Sixty doctoral graduates in engineering and science with a broad understanding of the challenges faced by the Energy, Water, and Transport industries and the specialist technical skills needed to solve them. They will be ambitious research, engineering, industrial, and political leaders of the future with an ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation when working as part of teams.



2) A network of home-grown talent, comprising of several CDT cohorts, with a greater capability to solve the "Big Problems" than individuals, or small isolated clusters of expertise, typically generated through traditional training programmes.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.soton.ac.uk