EDUCATION
CONTRABASS will train 10 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in material science and material-society interactions, with focus on novel CCCs of immediate relevance to cement manufacturers.
The heart of the training comprises 4 in person Training Weeks every 6 months that include a Residential School, a Training Activity and a Workshop.
All residential schools embed Training activities and exercises to consolidate researchers’ understanding of taught material, and activities designed to develop their Transferrable skills.

1-3 days
- Research: Numerical modelling methods. Introduction to experimental techniques.
- Transferable skills: Literature/data management, presentation; scientific writing, publishing
- Training activities: hands-on modelling activities, data presentation, research literature exercise. Team building and planning for project video.
Workshop 1day: Greener construction materials: solutions & hindrances
1-3 days
- Research: Materials characterisation, science of characterisation techniques
- Transferable skills: data analysis, error and uncertainty, scientific presentation of data, project planning and organising, managing meetings, leadership.
- Training activities: Outreach [0.5 day] team video planning and organising
Workshop 1day: The durability problem
1-3 days
- Research: Industrial research and applications
- Transferable skills: ethics, project management, unconscious bias, OA & intellectual property.
- Training activities: Business Game: establishing a SME, “structured creativity”
Workshop 1day: Cement and concrete recycling – industry issues
2 days
- Research: Societal impact: anthropology of materials
- Transferable skills: interviewing, communicating complex ideas accessibly, media skills
- Training activities: Interview. Creation of videos
Workshop 1day: Citizen science and public participation