Evaluation of the 4TU.Energy PhD Course 2025
The 4TU.Energy two-day PhD course in 2025 was well organised and well received once again. In the evaluation session, which took place on the second day of the course before its conclusion, 36 participants answered 10 questions. Based on the evaluation results, it is clear that the course attendees â a diverse group of participants from various Dutch universities â were satisfied. The overall feedback was highly positive, with strong ratings for the relevance of the content, the design of the course, its organisation, and the likelihood of recommending it. Participants also reported meaningful networking outcomes and balanced exposure to the course topics.
Attendance & Participation
A total of 53 people registered for the course, of whom 40 attended, resulting in a no-show rate of 25%, which is higher than in previous editions. To avoid this no-show rate, we will take precautions for the next edition.
Participants came from a variety of Dutch universities, with the largest groups being from TU/e (13), TU Delft (12) and UTwente (8).
Course Evaluation Results
The scale runs from 1 to 5, with 5 representing the highest level.
Relevance & Content
We continue to see the value in investing in and providing pre-course pitch training because the importance of research pitching skills was rated very highly, with 77% of participants giving scores of 4 or 5.
In terms of content, most participants also reported an improved understanding of the energy transition after the course, with around 60% rating this improvement as 4 or 5.
Course Design
The multidisciplinary aspect received strong approval, with roughly 83% scoring it 4 or 5. The accessibility of the course, regardless of participantsâ backgrounds, also received high ratings, with around 73% scoring 4 or 5.
Organization
The organisation of the course was highly rated, with around 95% of attendees giving a score of 4 or 5, and more than half of those giving the highest score. Attendees also provided feedback to the chair and organiser on the day, expressing their appreciation for the organisation of the course.
Recommendation Likelihood
The course earned a strong endorsement, with around 85% of participants indicating they would recommend it (scores of 4 or 5).
Additional Insights
The course topics were appreciated, with points distributed to Tech/Systems (31%) and Governance (28%), followed by Society (25%) and Circularity (16%).
As a challenge this year, participants were specifically asked to make new contacts outside their universities. All participants reported doing so, and 61% expect to stay connected. Nobody failed to accomplish this challenge.
Suggested future course topics (frequency) include: Energy markets & economics (20.8%), Nuclear (11.7%), renewable & emerging tech (15.6%), Ai & digitalization (14.3%), and others (11.7%) covering âLeadershipâ, âBridging innovation and industryâ, âLocal politicsâ, âGeopoliticsâ, âBusiness perspectiveâ, and âFairnessâ.
Participants reported the following topics (percentage) that they will take away from the course: Social & justice (34.5%), Market & business (15.5%), Sustainability & environment (12.1%), and others (20.7%) covering âBroader contextâ âSocietal valuesâ âmulti-aspect approachâ, âEnergy democracyâ, âEnergy Literacyâ, âDifferent perspectives on participationâ.
Conclusion
We are pleased that, with this instalment of the 4TU.Energy PhD course, we have been able to facilitate knowledge transfer, broaden PhD candidatesâ understanding of the energy transition, and help them build their peer network.
We look back on a fruitful PhD course, recognized by the participants who are willing to recommend this course to their peers. We look forward to organizing the next edition in 2026!