Training the future photonics research leaders: a Summer Fellowship Programme to attract students to pursue a career in photonics research

The Tyndall & IPIC Summer Fellowship Programme gives undergraduate students a high quality immersive research experience with the objective to attract the best undergraduate students from across Ireland to purse a PhD in photonics. Students join a leading research group, working in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams to complete novel research projects in state-of-the-art facilities. A parallel Development Programme supports students in learning skills in science communication, networking, technical skills, with the aim to build confident, well-trained researchers for future roles in academia and industry. The objectives of the programme include (1) increase the number of Irish students who progress to complete a PhD, in particular in photonics or wider STEM subject, (2) improve gender diversity by aiming to have 40%+ representation of women each year, (3) provide career-enhancing skills (4) provide an inclusive, positive experience where students build multi-disciplinary networks. Applicant numbers have grown 5-fold between 2017 and 2022, extending this fellowship to a nationally recognised programme. The programme has had 38% women representation through this 6-year period and has attracted the highest calibre students with 84% of the 2022 cohort obtaining 1:1 or first-class honours. Since 2017, 52% of the graduated programme alumni have proceeded to a postgraduate, either masters or PhD. We continue to develop the programme to ensure it as one of the top national summer training programmes. In the words of an alumna, "The IPIC programme taught me a lot about research, learning, and STEM career options [and] heightened my interest in pursuing post graduate studies."