This year, FIBE3 CDT secured EPSRC funding and embarked on an exciting 8-year journey starting in October, with a focus on the timely theme of Unlocking Net Zero. As the third consecutive CDT in the FIBE group, Cambridge University has the distinguished honour and proudly stands among the few UK institutions to receive EPSRC funding three times in a row.
FIBE3 and FIBE2 concluded an eventful year with a cohort-bonding dinner at Jesus College. Many thanks to India Harding for securing the beautiful venue as this is India's college. This celebratory event brought together CDT staff, directors, and students from both FIBE2 and FIBE3, marking a successful MRes for Cohort 5 in FIBE2 and a new beginning for FIBE3 with its inaugural cohort 1. Cohort 5, the final group recruited under FIBE2, has now transitioned into their PhD studies, joining other FIBE2 students at various stages of their doctoral journey while FIBE3 Cohort 1 has successfully completed their Michaelmas term of the MRes year. Alongside many awards from FIBE2 students who have published their research in various journals, FIBE2 students have attended international conferences in diverse locations such as Hong Kong, Italy, Norway, and Australia. These events provided opportunities to present their research and network with global experts in their fields. The CDT also has RTSG funding for secondments with Cohort 2 Representative, Doug Morley, successfully completing a secondment at the University of Pretoria in South Africa to further his research and led him to win the Turner prize award. We eagerly anticipate Cohort 3 student, Alice Bennett's upcoming secondment to the University of Canterbury in New Zealand next year.
The room buzzed with excited chatter as dinner commenced with a delicious three-course meal. Centre Coordinator, Paula Block, organized guessing games that sparked much laughter and singing throughout the evening. She created stickers featuring Christmas songs and their popular singers, and went round the room, placing them on the foreheads of all attendees. There was even stickers featuring famous people and cartoon characters, adding to the fun. Guests had to guess the songs on their foreheads based on clues from those around them. These catchy Christmas tunes stayed with us for the rest of the evening!
FIBE2 is thrilled to welcome two "FIBE babies" this year. Cohort 5 student, Simon Wong recently celebrated the arrival of his baby girl, and we eagerly await the birth of Cohort 4 Representative, Natasha Balwit's baby this month. During Natasha's maternity leave, India Harding will step in as Cohort 4 Representative. Congratulations to Simon, Natasha, and their families! We wish them all the very best as they embark on this new journey of parenthood.
2024 has been a dynamic year for our newly successful FIBE3 CDT, marked by numerous proposal submissions and a strategic shift to address our new theme, Unlocking Net Zero, in our MRes + PhD program. Under the skilled guidance of the many FIBE3 industry partners, and especially under the expert leadership of Director, Professor Julian Allwood, Lead Author of the 5th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we are developing the iterative FIBE3 Roadmap to achieve Net Zero Infrastructure. As part of the MRes course, the next 5 cohorts will contribute research insights and establish a foundation for strategic analysis for each updated version of the Roadmap. We are excited to train the next generation of Civil Engineering professionals, providing them with the research, knowledge, and skills necessary to Unlock Net Zero in the construction industry.