Last week, we kicked off the Summer 2014 edition of the labs and brought together this year’s cohort at the University’s Devonshire Hall.

This edition saw twenty technologists apply, more than double the previous edition , as well as representing a more gender-balanced and geographically diverse group. Though our level of interest from academics was high, the close of the academic year meant fewer academics were able to apply, narrowing the possible matches we could make.

Nevertheless, the process was agonising with Sue and I going through several rounds matching technologists to academics, trying to find a balance of chemistry and collaboration. Every personality was a fascinating blend of curiosity and ability and it was wrenching to drop some applicants, but we found our five matches and also managed to squeeze in an extra technologist whom we suspected could bring a lot to an already fizzing matchup.

So just over a week ago, we brought together our 6 technologists and 5 academics over lunch to introduce them to each other and share our hopes and vision for how this edition of the labs would progress…

We’ll introduce each of the cohort shortly and you’ll begin to see their diaries appear here very soon…