The Unit held its ninth annual Training & Careers Development Event on Tuesday 16th April. Unit members, together with colleagues from across the University of Oxford, were treated to a range of engaging presentations and workshops, each of which was accompanied by a lively Q & A session.

Unit Director Professor Peter Magill started the Event by recapping some key aspects of the Unit’s approach to training and career development. This was followed by an insightful joint presentation by Dr Anshul Thakur and Dr Elena Gal of the University Department of Engineering Science about the use of Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models as research tools. Dr Susan Black of the University’s Careers Service then gave a talk and some welcome advice on honing interview skills.

In the first of two break-out workshops held after refreshments, Unit Group Leader Professor Charlotte Stagg led an interactive discussion about how to thrive at Oxford. In the second workshop, Unit Group Leader Professor Tim Denison chaired a session during which some of the Unit’s alumni offered their insights about thriving in careers in academia and industry outside of Oxford.

Professor Stagg, Chair of the Unit’s Training & Career Development Committee, commented “The training and career development of all our members is hugely important to the Unit, and we were delighted to host another successful training event at St Hilda’s College. Unit members actively engaged in a wide range of sessions, and we were particularly pleased to welcome back some of our wonderful alumni to speak about their career paths after leaving the Unit. Thank you to all our speakers and to the Committee for all their hard work.”