Watt in the World

Watt in the world logo

PhD Development Programme

Watt In the World is a brand-new programme for PhD students, enhancing engagement and communication skills and creating a network of enthusiastic, engaging researchers.  

Watt in the World follows on from a pilot programme in 2021-22, when HW Engage and Outreach launched a six-month development opportunity for PhD students designed to further their public engagement and outreach skills. Funded by the Learning and Teaching Academy, students were supported to develop a curriculum tied learning resource in line with their PhD research. 

Watt in the World is launching as a follow up across 2022-23, and is primarily focused on skills development, knowledge sharing and capacity building to enable our researchers to carry out successful community engagement and outreach. By producing online resources and sharing our research across local schools and library spaces in West Lothian, we are fostering an environment of knowledge sharing across local communities in an accessible manner. 

The programme is designed to support PhD students in building confidence and tools for workshop and public delivery. As well as furthering their engagement skills, they’ll also be enhancing meta-skills such as presenting, stakeholder engagement and project management. Supported by the Community Engagement and Outreach Teams, Community Engagement Leads and an expert science communicator, the programme will consist of a range of mentor and workshop sessions. 

Previous students within the cohort have developed engagement materials which are being purchased by Edinburgh Castle, as well as going on to work in the field of Outreach. This programme is designed to build confidence in students to engage with public audiences, inspire the next generation, and celebrate the broad range of research ongoing at Heriot-Watt University.  

Key information