Find out what studying with the AgriFoRwArdS CDT is really like through quotes from our students…

You will find yourself in the company of kind and encouraging colleagues.

AgriFoRwArdS not only supports you in your research but also trains you with all the skills you would ever need.

You will be motivated to be the best version of yourself.

Sinking into the CDT community is very easy, due to many events organised specifically for the CDT students.

Everyone here is friendly, supportive and want you to succeed.

Agriforwards finds a good balance between pushing you to be your best, while ensuring your wellbeing.

AgriFoRwArdS is fun, rewarding and well organised.

You will be joining a team who really care about their work and each other’s progress.

Although I have worked with robots for several years, the first year MSc programme has once again expanded my knowledge and skills in robotics.

The development of agricultural robot technology will definitely excite you.

We’ve had lots of CDT social events this year, from chill pub trips to hikes in the Peak District.

All MSc RAS modules start with pretty much no assumed knowledge, so don’t let the ‘advanced’ in the module names put you off.

You will be surrounded by people to help you settle in.

The Agriforwards team will take great care of you and will communicate with you every step of the way.

Tireless efforts to make sure we have all felt at home within the CDT.

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As part of the AgriFoRwArdS programme, each student is matched with one of our Industry Partners. Here is what our students have to say about this experience…

I love working with my industry partner – it has been the highlight of my PhD journey so far. It is super exciting to visit food manufacturing sites and get a view of the intricacies of the food system up close. I think it is important to really root your research in real-world problems, so collaborating with an industry partner is an effective way of ensuring that research is on a useful topic that people in the food system will benefit from. I have been working closely with my industry partner to better understand their innovation processes and work with them to collaboratively design a tool that they can implement. The most useful thing, aside from access to large amounts of data, is being able to learn from experts in the food industry about what a career in the food industry may look like.

The most important thing is that I get instructions from my industrial partner on how to collect my data…, it definitely guides me to think about how we should work towards next steps.

It has been useful for context for me… and I’m looking forward to doing a placement later this year.

Collaborating has been invaluable for my PhD research, ensuring that my work has practical, real-world applications. This partnership allows me to bridge theoretical advancements with industry challenges, making my research more impactful.  Additionally, engaging with industry professionals has broadened my perspective beyond academia, helping me develop essential technical and collaborative skills for future research and career opportunities.

Industrial partners are a link to the real world when doing a PhD. Research can take you down many avenues of exciting thought, and then an industrial partner tells you how they work and what data they have. This is where you discover the gap between your thoughts on a subject and the role that your research should play. Bridging that gap makes science and your research beneficial to the world.

Collaborating with an industry partner enriches my research by ensuring my work addresses real-world challenges. This partnership offers firsthand exposure to automation issues faced in day-to-day operations, enabling me to tailor my research for greater impact. Moreover, it enhances my communication skills, as I learn to present my research in ways that resonate with non-academic stakeholders, ultimately making the research more accessible and relevant beyond academia.