During the 2025/26 academic year, we delivered the Informatics PhD Shadowing Scheme, jointly with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Machine Learning Systems. The scheme offered a unique opportunity for Undergraduate and Masters students from under-represented groups to spend a day with a current Informatics PhD student. It aimed to diversify the postgraduate landscape by demystifying the PhD process. By providing a platform for discovery, we helped participants determine if doctoral study aligns with their goals, and consider a path that may have previously felt inaccessible. About the participants Underrepresented groups Barriers to postgraduate research Participant feedback Host feedback "This scheme gave me the first taste of what a PhD life would be like. I gained a lot of confidence from being encouraged by everyone in Informatics, and I also got many valuable points of view from people in the field." Anonymous "A PhD is something I've always strived to do but never felt it was possible due to funding. This experience helped me realise that there are accessible routes, so I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels like they can't do a PhD" Anonymous "My expectations were surpassed - I didn't expect Tech to be so much fun, and that all you need is motivation to learn and not to have been a coder from the crib!" Anonymous "The whole experience was incredibly welcoming and supportive. The PhD student I shadowed took real care to explain their research patiently and clearly, which made it much easier to follow and enjoy." Anonymous This article was published on 2026-05-25
