The guidance below is provided to help current AI4ER students identify available support and advice, and you are encouraged to raise any concerns that you may have at the earliest opportunity.
If you need support, please read the following guidance and do not hesitate to approach any of the programme staff, AI4ER mentors, your Advisor, College Tutor, Supervisor or the ED&I student rep, in confidence, who will be able to provide advice and/or signposting to the relevant support networks.
Overview of the AI4ER support structure
AI4ER Mentors for students
The CDT has created a mentorship scheme aimed at providing AI4ER students with additional pastoral support (beyond what is offered by college and centrally by the university). A total of 6 mentors have been appointed, all of whom are happy to be approached to provide such support. Thus, if you have any issues, concerns, or questions (i.e. pastoral care, including welfare, emotional support and well-being issues), then please get in contact with any one (or more) of them.
We also place a strong emphasis on supporting career progression beyond the CDT and will provide advice and mentorship on this to students, linking to provision of the University Careers Service. We will also encourage our staff and students to participate in the Springboard programme, a personal development programme for all female staff/graduate students.
MRes Advisors and Supervisors
All first year MRes students will have an Advisor. Individual meetings will be held at least once a term to provide advice and support in all aspects, including course and project selection, teaching support and general welfare. After the first year, this role will be assumed by your PhD supervisor in the Department you are based in for your PhD.
During the MRes project, you will also have the support of your project supervisor who can provide guidance on the day-to-day activities of your project.
Student representatives
Four student representatives (reps) spanning the different cohorts will be nominated at the beginning of each academic year to attend relevant programme committee meetings and provide central feedback from the cohort. The student reps will also meet with the Programme Manager on a termly basis to provide any feedback and suggestions for the programme
2021 /2022 Student reps:
• Ira Shokar – Teaching committee and first year PhD student rep
• Marc Girona-Mata - second year PhD student rep
• Simon Mathis - ED&I student rep
• MRes student rep - tbd
Difficulties with the programme
We realise that Cambridge can be a daunting environment and occasionally you may struggle with some aspect of the programme. If you are at all concerned that this is the case, you should speak with your Advisor or the Programme Manager, at the earliest opportunity. You may also wish to consult your College Tutor at this time.All programme staff are available to help; even if you want a quick chat, please do reach out to us.
Personal difficulties
Occasionally, students encounter personal difficulties, which could range from medical, financial or family issues, during the course of their studies. If you encounter such difficulties, you should inform your College Tutor as soon as possible. They can advise on your options and on any formal processes or procedures that may apply. Your College may also be able to provide you with other support (e.g. access to counselling services) and will have experience in dealing with many different issues. You are also welcome to discuss any difficulties with your Programme Manager or Advisor, who can offer advice or signposting to relevant support structures. The University Student Wellbeing website has links to many useful resources.
The University also has a counselling service available to all students registered at the University.
Nightline is a confidential and anonymous listening service run by students for students. Nightline volunteers are available from 7pm – 7am during every Cambridge University full term. You can call, chat, email or skype with them: 01223 744444.
Medical problems and disabilities
Students with medical problems or disabilities are strongly advised to discuss such problems with their College, who will offer advice and support for such issues. There is also a University Disability Resource Centre.
Caring responsibilities
The University is supportive of staff with caring responsibilities as well as those impacted by ill-health or those that are disabled, and as such enables flexible working and career break opportunities, along with a returning carers scheme. The University also provides support for students with caring responsibilities and has a student maternity/paternity policy. The CDT will promote family-friendly working, including adhering to timetables that focus activity within “core” hours(~9:30am – 3:30pm) or otherwise choosing hours that are mutually convenient, and welcoming families to social events.
Reporting inappropriate behaviour
If you would like to speak informally about any concerns you may have with respect to inappropriate behaviour of other students or staff, then please feel free to contact any of the programme staff, AI4ER mentors, your Advisor, College Tutor or Supervisor. If you would like to make a formal complaint, the University has an anonymous reporting system, report +support, for students to make named reports about any inappropriate behaviour from other students or staff. The scheme has been established to make Cambridge a place where everyone can feel safe, access support and thrive.
"The University is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming and inclusive community which nurtures a culture of mutual respect and courtesy. There is no place for any form of bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, or victimisation in our community and each of us is responsible for the way we interact with and treat others".
University procedures – student complaints
Should it not be possible to resolve any issue locally, the University has procedures in place for managing a range of student complaints.