Grantham Scholar training programme

There are many paths to a sustainable future, but they all require social, cultural and political change. New research is essential, but it’s not enough on its own. We need experts from across disciplines to be able to advocate for the environment.

And our aim at the Grantham Centre is to foster these advocates: the sustainability leaders of the future.

Training the sustainability leaders of the future

In order to do this, the Grantham Centre funds and creates a special training programme. This training provides Grantham Scholars with the expertise to advocate for evidence-based change.

We have identified key areas of expertise, for example research skills, policy engagement, and interdisciplinary working. These core areas form the basis of our training. We also cover business and enterprise, public engagement, media engagement, and leadership.

Overall, our goal is to offer a unique PhD experience and a range of interesting opportunities. As a result, Grantham Scholars graduate with a valuable set of skills for their careers in sustainability.

Grantham Scholar training programme

Here are some examples of the training we provide. If you have any questions about training at the Grantham Centre then please contact the programme manager Linda Billam.

Methods@Sheffield

Methods@Sheffield introduces Grantham Scholars to the multidisciplinary perspective needed for a sustainable future. Over the course of a week early in their training, each Grantham Scholar will learn about and present a talk on another Scholar’s work. And the whole cohort meets to hear the presentations, giving them an overview of all the work going on around them and why it matters to sustainability.

Find out more: Methods@Sheffield

Internal Seminar and Cake (ISAC)

Grantham Scholars present their work in an informal setting. This is an opportunity for everyone to get together and talk about subjects of shared interest, and to see what everyone else is doing.

Find out more: Multidisciplinary knowledge exchange and cake

Journal Club

This is a monthly reading group led by supervisors and Grantham Scholars. Journal Club develops the ability to engage with research and researchers from other disciplines. Plus it trains Scholars in how to present their work in a way that can be understood by non-experts.

Find out more: Journal Club

Annual Symposium

Our Annual Symposium is a conference to share sustainability research from across the University of Sheffield. Through talks, posters, external guests and TUoS academics, it is designed to challenge the audience with perspectives from multiple disciplines.

Find out more: Sustainability Symposium

Festival of Debate

Scholars organise a series of public discussions with Festival of Debate. Scholars are supported by Linda Billam and Jana Green to organise, run and promote their talks. As well as giving experience in organising events, these sessions are an opportunity to hear what people outside the university think about sustainability issues.

Find out more: Festival of Debate 2025