Turing Enrichment scheme 2025/26 Handbook
============================

The Enrichment 2025/26 Handbook contains tips and information to help new students familarise themselves with the programme before joining.

This handbook is a live document, content may be updated prior to the start of the Enrichment scheme in October.

Please note that some sections of the handbook may include links to the Turing intranet '*Mathison*'. Enrichment students will only be able to access the intranet after the activation of their Turing accounts in October.

If you have any questions about the content covered in this guide, please first refer to the FAQs at the bottom of the handbook. If you cannot find the answer to your query there, please contact the Academic Services team at [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail]) or call [phone]/3349

If you require this handbook in a different format, please get in touch with the Academic Services team.

# What is the Enrichment scheme

The Enrichment scheme aims to give PhD students the opportunity to expand their research horizons and career prospects by immersing in The Alan Turing Institute’s diverse data science and AI research community.

In addition to deepening their doctoral research, the scheme offers doctoral students the invaluable opportunity to further develop personally and professionally by building connections, learning new ideas and skills and developing research independence.

*‘During the Enrichment scheme, I made several meaningful changes to my research and professional approach. Exposure to interdisciplinary discussions at Turing–Roche sessions led me to extend my dataset to support structured clinical reasoning, aligning my work more closely with real-world medical applications. After engaging with reading groups and peers, I re-evaluated my evaluation methods, adopting more rigorous validation strategies, including expert-in-the-loop feedback. [...] I also became more proactive in sharing my work — participating in Lunch & Learn sessions and practicing concise communication through lightning talks, which changed how I present research to diverse audiences.’*
**Sushant Gautam, 2024 Enrichment Student**

While continuing to work towards their PhD thesis, Enrichment students will also conduct collaborative research on a project proposed by the Turing and assigned to students based on their studies, expertise and interests detailed in their application. Through the Enrichment research collaboration students will have the opportunity to enhance their organisational skills, leadership and ability to collaborate with researchers from all over the country.

Before starting the scheme, students are encouraged to reflect on what they hope to achieve during their nine months at the Turing, while remaining open and adaptable to the unexpected opportunities the experience may offer.

## Enrichment scheme dates

**Remote/online access start date:** Wednesday 1 Oct 2025
**Office/in-person access start date:** Monday 6 October 2025
**End date:** Monday 30 June 2026

Virtual access begins a few days before office access to enable students to navigate digital platforms, such as Mathison (Turing intranet) ahead of induction.

# What to expect from Enrichment and the Turing :mag_right:


## Enrichment Research Collaboration :speech_balloon:
As part of their time at The Alan Turing Institute, Enrichment students will engage in the Enrichment research collaboration. This collaboration falls into two categories:
1. Group Collaboration – where students work in small, self-led teams on an assigned research topic.
2. Collaboration with the Defence & National Security (D&NS) Research Teams – where students contribute to unclassified areas of research within a D&NS team.

Participation in the Enrichment research collaboration is on a voluntary basis, and students retain the right to publish, present, or include any outcomes or findings in their PhD thesis. For full details, students should refer to the Enrichment Terms and Conditions.

Please note: The assigned Enrichment research collaboration is the only formal research activity included in the Enrichment scheme. Any involvement in additional Turing research projects outside of this must be discussed with the student support staff and will require separate contractual arrangements.

**What’s next?**
Further details on how the Enrichment research collaboration groups and D&NS collaboration will operate, along with the support available to ensure a successful experience, will be shared at the start of the scheme.

## Become a Student Representative


*Pictured - 2023 Enrichment students during a quiz night organised by the cohort*

#### Student Representatives
<details open>

*"I have never been in a professional group that takes the needs and feedback from the students so seriously."* Salva Barranco Carceles - 2023/24 Student Representative

The Student Representatives work with student support staff to improve the student experience, encourage cohort building, advocate for the views and needs of their cohort to the Turing and help facilitate a positive and engaged student body.

Please read the [provisional Student Representative role description](https://thealanturininstitute.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/academicservicesPublicGroup/EUizBSjpAHtInzU8hvuHaXABhDVYsQVixIPPXZKcRdKFGQ?e=DfWIvK) for the 2025/26 academic year to find out more information.

Details on how to apply for the role of Student Representative for 2025/26 will be shared during induction.
</details>

## Meet your cohort :male-student: :female-student:

We wanted to share the names of your fellow 2025/26 Enrichment students. Please note that for GDPR reasons - student contact details are not included.

<details > <summary>Student list</summary>

<table width="1040" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:780pt"><colgroup><col width="176" style="width:132pt"><col width="109" style="width:82pt"><col width="219" style="width:164pt"><col width="536" style="width:402pt"></colgroup><tbody><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td width="176" height="20" class="xl431" style="width:132pt;height:15.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;mso-font-charset:0"><a name="Project collaboration!A1:D1">Firstname</a></td><td width="109" class="xl431" style="width:82pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;mso-font-charset:0">Lastname</td><td width="219" class="xl431" style="width:164pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;mso-font-charset:0">University</td><td width="536" class="xl431" style="width:402pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;mso-font-charset:0">Enrichment Research Collaboration Topic</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Aditya</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Bhattacharjee</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">Queen Mary University of London</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Fundamental research in data science and AI: AutoEmulate</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Anna</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Rösner</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University of Portsmouth</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">D&amp;NS ARC</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Anna</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Pazola</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">Brunel University of London</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Environment and Sustainability: Optimising Sensor Placement – DeepSensor</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Carrow</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Morris-Wiltshire</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">Newcastle University</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Environment and Sustainability: Optimising Sensor Placement – DeepSensor</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Domna</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Ladopoulou</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University College London</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Environment and Sustainability: Optimising Sensor Placement – DeepSensor</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Giuseppe</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Tripodi</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">The University of Manchester</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Health: Explainable AI using Multimodal Healthcare Data</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Ieva Raminta</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Staliunaite</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University of Cambridge</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">D&amp;NS AICD</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Jichen</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Zhang</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University of Oxford</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Fundamental research in data science and AI: AutoEmulate</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Jingyu</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Hu</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University of Bristol</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Health: Explainable AI using Multimodal Healthcare Data</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Kathryn</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Woodward</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University of Oxford</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Health: Advancing Biomedical Data Science Careers (ABDC)</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Matthew</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Willett</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">Birkbeck, University of London</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">D&amp;NS LASR</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Pritthijit</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Nath</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University of Cambridge</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Environment and Sustainability: Optimising Sensor Placement – DeepSensor</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Reed</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Naidoo</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">The Institute of Cancer Research</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Health: Explainable AI using Multimodal Healthcare Data</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Ryan</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">White</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University College London</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">D&amp;NS DARe</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl425" style="height:15.0pt;border:none">Sophie-Charlotte</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Perret</td><td class="xl426" style="border:none">University of Cambridge</td><td class="xl425" style="border:none">Health: Advancing Biomedical Data Science Careers (ABDC)</td></tr><tr height="20" style="height:15.0pt"><td height="20" class="xl427" style="height:15.0pt;border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:.5pt solid black;border-left:none">Syed Muhammad Shahzaib</td><td class="xl427" style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:.5pt solid black;border-left:none">Haider</td><td class="xl428" style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:.5pt solid black;border-left:none">University of Sussex</td><td class="xl427" style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:.5pt solid black;border-left:none">Fundamental research in data science and AI: AutoEmulate</td></tr></tbody></table>

</details>

# Logistics and support

You will be provided with operational and pastoral support from specific members of staff to help you make the most of your Enrichment experience. Details will be shared once you have started your programme.

## Finance and funding :moneybag:

### Enrichment scheme award

Enrichment awardees undertake a 9 month placement at The Alan Turing Institute offices in London. This award contributes to costs students may incur to meet the requirement of 8 days in-person per month during their placements.

**How will I receive my Enrichment scheme award?**

The Turing does not administer the award directly to students. The award is administered by the student’s home university, which in turn invoices the Turing for the amount.

We recommend that students get in touch directly with their department or college finance team (depending who they usually contact for finance matters) to confirm payment schedule.

Please note we expect that funds will be paid to students from November onwards, due to when the funding agreement between the Turing and universities is likely to be confirmed. We apologise for any inconvenience the delay may cause you.

More information on Enrichment awards can be found on [Mathison](https://mathison.turing.ac.uk/page/2753) - access to Mathison is available to students from October.

### Enrichment Training Fund

The Enrichment scheme offers students access to a training fund. This fund aims to support the cohort’s professional development and Enrichment research collaboration work through attending events, conferences, workshops etc

The Training Fund is administered directly between the Turing and students via an application and approval process.

**Students can only access the Training Fund during their term access dates (1 October 2025 - 30 June 2026), and can only apply to fund activities that take place within this same period.**

More information about the Training Fund application process will be provided during induction. After induction, the process to claim against your award can be found on [Mathison](https://mathison.turing.ac.uk/page/2747) - access to Mathison is available to students from October.

## Wellbeing support for students :handshake:

Juggling the demands of doing a PhD, as well as other life commitments, can be challenging.

Students can access certain **Turing wellbeing support services**, including:

**External Supervision**: The aim of external supervision is to bring a fresh approach to issues, in a safe and non-judgmental setting. These sessions are designed to provide you with techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, help manage challenging situations, and to promote positive outcomes inside and outside of the working environment.

**Mental Health First Aiders**: Turing’s MHFAiders are employees who volunteered their time to be trained and support colleagues experiencing poor mental health. The role of an MHFAider is to listen non-judgementally and confidentially, and to signpost to support (it’s important to bear in mind MHFAiders are not mental health professionals and will not diagnose or treat a condition). MHFAiders also play a vital role in reducing stigma and promoting positive mental health in the workplace.

**Headspace**: Students can also sign up for free membership of the Headspace app. Headspace's award-winning mindfulness and meditation app provides effective tools that can be used anywhere to manage stress and improve mental wellbeing. Users can choose from hundreds of themed sessions on topics including “SOS” sessions (for times of crisis), anxiety, productivity, sleep, movement and sport, and relationships.

More information on welfare and pastoral can be found on the Student hub of [Mathison](https://mathison.turing.ac.uk/Interact/Pages/Section/ContentListing.aspx?subsection=3464) available to students after October.

# Onboarding and Induction

## Onboarding :computer:
### Onboarding form

To gather all the information required for your onboarding, students were invited to complete an onboarding form through the Flexigrant system. Students received an email notification inviting them to complete the form.

### Agenda screening

To issue your access pass, three documents are required:

• A passport style photo
• A signed British Library form
• An Agenda screening report

Consequently, you will receive an email from our pre-employment screening partner, Agenda Screening Services, directing you to complete an online application.

Please submit the information on the Agenda Screening platform by 8 August.

**We ask that students please complete the screening as soon as possible. Please check your spam folder for the email and let us know if you do not receive the communication from Agenda. For any queries please email [e-mail]**

Please ensure you have completed all the required sections and uploaded any required documents, failure to do so means you may be contacted by phone by the Agenda Screening service and could result in a delay to obtaining your British Library pass.

Please note that your Full Name and Email are needed to activate your Agenda account, as provided in your Enrichment Flexigrant application.

### IT policy

Our IT team will contact all Enrichment students that require a new Turing account ahead of the start of the engagement period. Please keep an eye out from **September** onwards for their request (via DocuSign) to review and sign the Turing IT policy. You will only be allowed access to the Turing’s Digital space once you have signed and returned the IT policy.

Students using their own laptops during their Turing access period may be required to install Global Protect VPN to access certain Turing systems, applications and information.

### IT equipment

As part of the provisions of the award, placement students have the option to request a Turing laptop in their Offer Form, for the duration of their placement.

Laptops can be collected from the IT Services team during induction, instructions will be sent to placement awardees ahead of their start date.

Laptops must be returned to the Turing by the final date of placement.

Members of the Turing must get permission from IT Services in order to take Turing equipment abroad. If you are intending to take your laptop aboard (for example, whilst attending a conference or research visit), students must contact the team at [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail]) and state the country they are visiting. The team will then ask you to complete a travel form.

Once the travel form is completed, please also send this to your student support team so they are made aware.

### Office space and access

The Turing office spaces are open Monday - Friday, 08:00- 20:00. Please note if you are working past 17:00 there will be no Facilities staff onsite. The office is not open at the weekend or during public holidays. Turing access pass holders can access the building through the staff entrance at Gate 8, located on Midland Road.

Any visitors to the Turing must be registered in advance of their visit and may only access the first floor office space.

For a full list of frequently asked questions regarding onboarding, please see the FAQ's section at the bottom of the main menu.

## Induction :office::woman-walking:

To welcome the new Enrichment cohort and support student integration into the Turing community. Student support staff will host induction sessions on **Monday 6, Tuesday 7 and Tuesday 14 October** at The Alan Turing Institute in London.

Enrichment students are expected to attend all induction sessions.

**:mega: Register [here](https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=p_SVQ1XklU-Knx-672OE-RJ1q-QQHh5Mi8Rw6J0CPspUN0ZLWUpIWkVOVDNMOE9NSjJZNldRRzU4UiQlQCN0PWcu) :mega: by midnight of Monday 29 September.**

**Schedule**

| Introduction to the Turing <br> Monday 6 October - 11am to 1pm|
| -------- |
| A brief welcome to the Turing and the Enrichment scheme.
Room: Ada Lovelace - 1st Floor|

| Social Lunch <br> Monday 6 October - 1pm to 2pm |
| -------- |
| Catered lunch for all Enrichment students and an opportuniy to socialise as a cohort.
Room: Ada Lovelace/common area - 1st floor |

| Operational session <br> Monday 6 October - 2pm to 3pm |
| -------- |
| New students will complete specific operational tasks. During the session, you will: <br> - Take a group photo <br> - Receive your Turing pass <br> - Be given a tour of the Turing office <br> - Complete the Right to Study check with our Academic Recruitment team – **Please bring a valid passport and Visa (if applicable) for this – original documents only.** <br> Room: Ada Lovelace - 1st floor |

| Collaboration at the Turing <br> Tuesday 7 October - 11am to 1pm |
| -------- |
| Facilitated session preparing students for engaging with their Enrichment Research Collaboration. <br> Room: Mary Shelley/Issac Asimov - 2nd floor |

| Enrichment Stand-up meeting <br> Tuesday 14 October - 2pm to 3pm |
| -------- |
| The first of bi-weekly short stand-up sessions where all students will be invited to attend. The aim is to have a regular touch point for the cohort, to share updates and questions, fostering connection and knowledge sharing. <br> Room: Enigma - 1st floor |

Please note these sessions will be in-person - due to the nature of the activities scheduled it will not be possible to join remotely. If you have reasonable adjustments, please email [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail]). Further details will be confirmed in September, when students will be asked to register for sessions.

Please note that event dates and details are subject to change in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as train strikes.

Please note the Turing project lead for your assigned research collaboration topic may organise separate induction activities outside of these sessions/dates. Information will be shared with you once available.

# Life at the Turing :globe_with_meridians:
## **Turing Culture**

**EDI at the Turing**
The Alan Turing Institute recognises the importance of building a diverse community. To make the great leaps in research that we aspire to as the national institute for data science and artificial intelligence, promoting and embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)  is integral to achieving our mission.

Read more about [EDI at the Institute](http://www.turing.ac.uk/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion) – students will have the chance to hear more about EDI at the Turing during induction.

**EDI Network groups**
A fantastic way Enrichment students can engage with EDI at the Turing is joining one of the EDI Network Groups. The role of the EDI Network Groups is to act as 'critical friends’ to the Institute and provide an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the developing EDI agenda.

The Networks have an inclusive membership and will identify and suggest ways to address any barriers to progress within their Network Groups.Network Groups are open to both staff and students.

- [Disability and Wellbeing](mailto:[e-mail])
- [Gender Equality](mailto:[e-mail])
- [LGBTQ+ Equality](mailto:[e-mail])
- [Race Equality](https://mathison.turing.ac.uk/page/2091?SearchId=477282)

The Networks will provide support and create a safe space for the community to discuss topics and raise awareness by organising events, promoting social networks, advancing initiatives and best practice.

## Institute Strategy and Transformation to Turing 2.0
In 2023, the Turing’s new strategy was launched. Our vision is to deliver mission-led Science and Innovation, to achieve our mission of changing the world for better with data science and AI.

We highly recommend Enrichment students look through the [Turing's goals and strategy.](https://www.turing.ac.uk/about-us/our-strategy)

The Turing’s transformation to Turing 2.0 is currently underway, which will help the Turing to deliver on the ambitions of the Institute Strategy, and realise our vision for the organisation over the next five years and beyond.

### Transformation Operational Changes

The Turing is going through a transformation process in line with its strategy.

• The first phase of the transformation included a review of just over 100 Turing science and innovation projects to assess their alignment with our strategic priorities.

• We are now entering a new phase of the transformation which will look at operational structures and processes to ensure the whole organisation is aligned and set up to deliver the impact we are seeking. Proposals on this will be subject to formal consultation.

## Turing Slack

The Turing Slack Workspace is an online community for people to chat and collaborate. Anyone with a Turing email address is signed up to Slack automatically when they join the Turing. However often you use it, it's a great way to stay connected and hear about the latest opportunities and activities.

New Enrichment students will gain access to the Turing Slack workspace at the beginning of the scheme. Students find Slack a great way to connect with the Turing community, as well as the Enrichment cohort, keep up with activities and interesting events, or even ask for help and advice from Turing researchers.

Communications about Turing-wide opportunities for Enrichment students are disseminated via Slack in the hope of reaching as many members of the community as possible. More formal updates from student support teams and other Turing teams are usually disseminated via email, so it is important that you regularly check your Turing email.

# FAQs :question:

- If you have any questions about the content covered in this guide, please email: :email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail]) or call [phone]/3349

## Onboarding FAQ's

- **I have an issue with my Agenda screening/access documents, who do I contact?**
For any queries regarding your agenda screening or onboarding documents (access pass photo and British Library form) please contact the Turing HR Operations team at:
:email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

- **I have an issue with my onboarding form, who do I contact?**
Please contact the Academic Services team
:email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

- **When will I get access to my Turing account?**
Provided students have signed the IT policy, which will be sent out to students sometime in September - students will then be sent information to access their Turing account once they are activitated. Usually this takes place around 1-week prior to the term access start date (1 October 2025).

## Induction FAQ's

- **Where is the Turing office?**
Please see relevant page on our website: [How to get to The Alan Turing Institute | The Alan Turing Institute](https://www.turing.ac.uk/about-us/how-get-alan-turing-institute)
The Alan Turing Institute is located on the first floor of The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB, London, UK.
You can access the building via the main library entrance.
When you receive your access pass you will be able to enter via the staff entrance of the British Library (Gate 8).

- **I may be unable to attend some of the induction sessions, what should I do?**
We would encourage students to attend all induction sessions, but appreciate this may not always be possible. Please contact [e-mail] to ensure that key information from the sessions is shared with you and any key tasks (e.g. pass collection) is completed on a separate day.
Please note, for health and safety reasons, students cannot access the office until they have had an operational induction from a member of the team.

- **What if there is a tube/train strike on the day of an in-person session?**
We will endeavor to let students know if there is a planned travel strike around the time of induction, essential in-person sessions (such as the operational day) may have their dates moved to accomodate this if needed.

- **Will the sessions be recorded?**
Due to the nature of activities planned, we might not be able to record sessions, but will aim to do so if appropriate and will share resources with students who are unable to attend.

- **What is the Right to Study check?**
The Right to Study (RtS) check for students* is a verification process to ensure that all students hold an appropriate immigration permit to allow them to study in the UK. A relevant member of Turing staff will witness and scan your identity documents and the scan will be securely saved in our system. It is a requirement of the Turing to undertake this check for all Enrichment students. The RtS check will be done on the Operational day in October.

**Please bring original documents (not copies) of your passport and visa information on the day.**

## Programme FAQs

- **Will students' in-person attendance be monitored?**
As per the Enrichment terms and conditions, it is expected students meet the 8-days in the office per month requirement. This is to ensure students get the most out of their placement experience and effective use of funds, given students are awarded funding to support with their in-person engagement.

Although we do not formally monitor student attendance, if it becomes apparent that a student is not meeting the requirement of 8-days per month in the office, support staff will follow up with the student. For duty of care purposes we ask that students log any leave (sickness, compassionate or holiday) on our student HR system.

Please note Enrichment students that hold a **Student Visa** may be asked to attend an in-person appointment with support staff at specific intervals during their placement. This is dependent on the visa sponsor's requirements (students' home university) for the Turing to support with the sponsor's monitoring responsibilities.

- **How do I report an issue or make a complaint during my time at the Turing?**
Students can contact support staff by email or phone. Or they can use Report + Support, which is an online tool developed by Culture Shift where Turing People can report issues of bullying and harassment, discrimination, assault, hate crime, sexual misconduct, or a breach to our Turing Values, anonymously or via contacting an advisor to discuss.

Report + Support is also home to information about internal and external support, policies and procedures. Here is a link to [the website](https://reportandsupport.turing.ac.uk/) with more information.