Submitted by Paula Block on Mon, 14/07/2025 - 14:30
Callum White, a student from FIBE2 cohort 3, was recently honoured with the Cambridge Society for the Application of Research (CSAR) student award, presented by Pro Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, Dr Diarmuid O'Brien. The award celebrates individuals whose work demonstrates both academic excellence and the promise of significant real-world impact.
The award, which includes £1000 to support Callum’s research and career, is open to students in any discipline at the University of Cambridge who are currently pursuing their PhD and received over 200 applications this year.
"I am delighted to receive this prestigious CSAR award. While the competition was intense, I enjoyed presenting my research at the panel interview to specialists and non-specialists, who produced interesting questions and suggestions for further work. I was grateful for the mentoring I have received from CSAR members on how to achieve meaningful translation of research into practice. I plan to use the award to visit Asia and disseminate my research further, as well as to gain additional insights into research translation, particularly in the context of digital technologies. Thank you to the CSAR community and to those who have supported my research."
- Callum White
Callum had the opportunity to speak on stage about his research with the Concrete Infrastructure Research Group and engage in conversation with the Pro Vice-Chancellor. His work focuses on improving our understanding of concrete behaviour. Recognising that concrete behaves as a fluid before hardening into a high-strength material, Callum identifies a critical window during this fluid phase to detect and address potential issues before the material sets.
As part of his PhD, he has developed a digital testing system for fluid concrete that significantly enhances the insights provided by traditional site-based tests. This system delivers results comparable to laboratory testing methods but at a fraction of the cost. By offering deeper insights into the material’s behaviour, it supports improved quality control and more informed decision-making on construction sites.