To future-proof themselves, scientists must have strength of character and a set of flexible personal skills that enable them to respond to unpredictable environments and multiple pressures: just having excellent technical skills is no longer enough to be an excellent scientist. The ability to work with others, listen, adapt and be tolerant of differences are skills that are learned through life experience, but they can be improved and enriched if we focus on them.

The PRBB Intervals programme has a dual purpose. Firstly, it provides learning opportunities that support personal and professional development, enabling all our staff to become more effective influencers, whatever their current or future role in society.

Secondly, it encourages relationship-building between people in all the PRBB centres, across disciplines and profiles.

Last year, the Intervals programme ran 36 courses involving a total of 450 places. Course attendees gave very positive feedback, with 90% of them rating the courses as excellent or very good.

The programme is organised into three thematic learning areas:

• Self skills: courses that focus on developing personal skills such as thinking, creativity and personal mastery.
• Interpersonal skills: courses that focus on the interrelationships between individuals, generally one-to-one, but also in small groups or teams.
• System skills: courses that focus on developing the skills that enable an individual to interact effectively with large groups and the public, both in a scientific and non-scientific context, and to find their own path through the complex social system of science.