International Travel Scheme
Supporting AAPS CDT Students mobility for both individual training needs and research partnership development
The International Travel Scheme supports AAPS CDT Students research mobility for both individual training needs and research partnership development. In the CDT we offer support opportunities for short-term postgraduate research visits to support our students in enhancing their employability in the global recruitment market while enhancing our networks with international institutions.
Mac Geoffrey Ajaereh
Argüelles Lab, Penn State University, Pennsylvania
Mac's visit to Penn State was a transformative experience. Whilst there Mac had the opportunity to work closely with leading experts in the field of ultrasound non-destructive evaluation (NDE) for battery characterization. This hands-on experience allowed him to deepen his understanding of advanced ultrasound techniques and their applications in sustainable energy research.
Beyond the lab, Mac immersed himself in the vibrant academic community at Penn State, attending seminars, workshops, and networking events. These interactions not only broadened his knowledge but also helped him build valuable connections with researchers and professionals from around the world. Mac's journey was also enriched by the cultural exchange, as he explored the local area, participated in university events, and experienced the diverse culture of Pennsylvania.
Overall, Mac's experience through the international travel scheme was a pivotal moment in his career, providing him with new skills, insights, and a global perspective on his research.
Thomas Barthelay
Chalmers University, Götenburg in Sweden
After visiting Chalmers University and KTH in Sweden during his MRes year, Thomas Barthelay was inspired to apply to the travel fund to stay for an extended period whilst working on his PhD project.
Despite initial challenges, including finding accommodation and adapting to a new environment, Thomas successfully collaborated with local researchers, learned new experimental techniques, and refined his computational models. He also immersed himself in Swedish culture, enjoying local traditions like “Fika” and attending the Materials for Tomorrow conference. His experience highlights the importance of flexibility in research and the value of international collaboration.
Pete Dyson
University of Groningen, Netherlands
Pete spent 10 weeks at the University of Groningen's Environmental Psychology Research Group. His visit focused on collaborating with researchers investigating social norms and electric vehicle adoption, directly supporting his PhD research on electric vehicle adoption policies and the influence of green number plates.
During the visit, Pete worked with researchers to develop an agent-based model exploring how increased visibility of electric vehicles can influence adoption through social processes. The trip also provided opportunities to present his research, receive feedback from leading environmental psychologists, and engage with one of Europe's most established sustainability research communities.
Beyond the research, Pete gained valuable insights into Dutch approaches to sustainable transport and urban mobility, drawing inspiration from Groningen's internationally recognised cycling culture and transport policies. The visit strengthened international collaborations while providing new perspectives and ideas to take forward in his PhD research.
Eymen Kilic
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California, USA
Eymen completed a three-month research visit to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley. The trip aligned closely with his PhD research into next-generation battery technologies and provided an opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers working on advanced energy storage systems.
During his visit, Eymen contributed to the development of an electrochemical, physics-based continuum model for an anode-free solid-state battery cell. The project aimed to improve understanding of the physical and chemical processes occurring within these novel batteries and support the design and optimisation of future experimental cell technologies.
The experience strengthened Eymen's expertise in battery modelling and reinforced the value of international collaboration in addressing the challenges of developing safer, more efficient and more sustainable energy storage technologies.
Yuqiang Lin
University of Washington, Seattle, USA
Yuqiang spent three months as a visiting researcher at the University of Washington's STAR Lab (Smart Transportation Applications and Research) in Seattle. Supported through the AAPS CDT International Travel Scheme, the visit enabled him to collaborate with leading researchers in intelligent transportation systems and explore emerging applications of visual language models in transport research.
Working under the supervision of Professor Yinhai Wang, Yuqiang investigated how visual language models could enhance traditional computer vision approaches for analysing and understanding complex traffic scenarios. The trip also included participation in the PacTrans 2025 Conference, where he engaged with academics and industry representatives working on real-world transportation challenges.
The visit broadened Yuqiang's research horizons, introduced new research directions for his PhD, and enabled him to develop valuable international connections. Alongside significant academic development, the experience provided cultural enrichment and lasting professional relationships that will continue beyond his PhD journey.
Tara McGuicken
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
During her three-week research visit to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Tara worked with the Citizen, Environment, and Safety research group, gaining insight into new perspectives on environmental psychology and sustainable mobility. She shared findings from her PhD on car-use habits, received constructive feedback to strengthen her final papers, and connected with researchers working on related themes. Alongside productive time for writing and collaboration, she also experienced life in Trondheim and explored Norway’s landscapes. The visit provided valuable academic development, international connections, and renewed momentum as she approached the final stages of her PhD.
Lois Player
Otto-von-Guericke University in Germany
Lois Player's international travel provided her with a unique opportunity to broaden her academic horizons. During her six-week placement at Otto-von-Guericke University in Germany with Professor Ellen Matthies’ Environmental Psychology group, Lois engaged in cutting-edge research focused on understanding, predicting, and facilitating the public acceptability of environmental transport policies across different demographic groups.
Her research aims to identify the barriers to the acceptance of climate transport policies, such as Clean Air Zones and Liveable Neighbourhoods, and to develop strategies to overcome these barriers. By employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative, qualitative, and machine-learning techniques, Lois seeks to understand the factors that influence public support for these policies and how to encourage pro-environmental behaviour.
This experience not only enhanced her research skills but also allowed her to gain valuable insights into different academic cultures and methodologies. Lois's journey underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge and fostering professional growth.
Johannes Rohwer
Polytechnic of Turin in Italy
During Johannes' research trip to the Polytechnic of Turin in Italy, he collaborated with a leading automotive research group to advance his work on Lithium-ion battery state of health (SoH) estimation. His research focused on developing a battery management system (BMS) algorithm that incorporates advanced Kalman filters for real-time SoH estimation, which is crucial for enhancing the performance and lifespan of batteries in electric vehicles (EVs).
The trip provided Johannes with practical insights into BMS and the application of online SoH estimation algorithms, using synthetic data from electrochemical degradation models. Beyond the lab, Johannes enjoyed the cultural richness of Turin, including a memorable trip to the Alps with fellow researchers. This experience not only deepened his technical expertise but also fostered valuable international collaborations.
Elisabetta Schettino
RWTH Aachen University, in Aachen (Germany)
Elisabetta undertook a research trip to RWTH Aachen University in Germany, where she conducted experiments on solid oxide fuel cells. Despite the logistical challenges of transporting delicate samples, Elisabetta successfully performed high-temperature densification of ceramic electrolytes. She also explored Aachen’s rich history, including its Roman roots and its significance as the residence of Charlemagne. Her journey included visits to local landmarks, enjoying traditional German cuisine, and experiencing the vibrant Christmas market. Elisabetta’s trip highlights the blend of rigorous scientific research and cultural immersion.
Matt Smith
Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV)
After securing funding from the AAPS CDT International Travel Scheme, Matt Smith, undertook a 3 month research visit to the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV). For Matt the experience highlighted the value of international collaboration and the importance of integrating lifestyle with learning in the context of sustainable innovation.
Sarah Toy
Sweden, Germany and Denmark
Through the AAPS CDT International Travel Scheme, Sarah undertook a sustainable urban mobility study tour across Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The trip was designed to support her research into the world's most ambitious car-reduction cities and to build connections with leading sustainable transport researchers and practitioners across Europe.
Sarah visited universities, government departments and transport organisations, presenting her research and discussing approaches to reducing car dependency in cities. Key visits included collaborations with researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt, Lund University, the Technical University of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen, as well as meetings with policymakers and sustainable mobility practitioners.
The experience provided valuable academic feedback, new collaboration opportunities and first-hand insights into sustainable transport systems and urban design. By experiencing innovative mobility initiatives across several European cities, Sarah returned with fresh perspectives, professional connections and new ideas to support her PhD research.
