CHEDDAR supports Imperial College’s Thrive Residential Programme: Inspiring the next generation of computer scientists

On Friday 19 September, CHEDDAR is delighted to take part in the Thrive Residential programme at Imperial College London, welcoming 27 incoming Computer Science students from widening participation backgrounds to campus.

The Thrive Residential programme helps new students settle into Imperial life before term begins. By offering a chance to stay in halls, meet peers, and take part in tailored departmental activities, the programme fosters a strong sense of belonging and confidence from the very start of the university journey.

CHEDDAR Research Assistants, Lubna and Hira Hameed will lead the research session for Incoming Computing Studentswhich will take place at AESE Lab room 254.

As part of the Department of Computing’s contribution, students are invited on a tour and demo session, where they will be introduced to CHEDDAR’s cutting-edge research in distributed systems and future connectivity. The aim is to wow them with world-leading research, raise aspirations, and show first-hand the breadth of opportunities available at Imperial, giving students the opportunity to see first-hand how research at Imperial is addressing the challenges of future digital connectivity.

Lubna shared her reflections on the value of Thrive Residential:
“Starting university is an exciting step, though it is natural to feel a little uncertain too. That is why the department, together with initiatives like Thrive and the support of our CHEDDAR team, is here to create a welcoming space where students can connect, learn, and begin exploring Imperial’s research culture. I believe, such initiatives not only ease the transition into university life but also inspire students to explore new and emerging areas of technology with confidence and make new connections.
We are excited to welcome the new undergraduate students to the Department of Computing at Imperial College London. As part of their first days, they are invited to a Research Session in the AESE Lab, where they will have the chance to explore some of the projects our research team is working on. Students will see live demonstrations of technologies such as RF sensing for human activity recognition and gain a glimpse of how research connects to real-world applications. Most importantly, the session is an opportunity to get curious, ask questions, and discover what inspires them. We hope it helps them feel at home in the department and excited about the journey ahead.”

Hira added her perspective on the programme’s impact:
“From my perspective: Going to university can be an exciting time, but it’s completely normal to feel a little nervous as well. Imperial’s Thrive programme is designed to bring together students from similar backgrounds in a friendly and supportive setting. It’s a great way to get a feel for university life, meet new people, and even connect with your departmental staff before the term begins. It also opens up the opportunity to understand the research culture, and our CHEDDAR team plays a key role in supporting students as they explore new and emerging areas of technology, which often inspires and motivates them to develop a deeper interest in their studies”

This initiative strongly aligns with CHEDDAR’s mission to build inclusive, connected, and sustainable digital futures. By engaging early with underrepresented groups, programmes like Thrive ensure that the next generation of researchers and innovators feel supported, empowered, and ready to contribute to the digital ecosystems of tomorrow.