A research sandpit is a 3 to 5-day residential interactive workshop where 20-30 participants from multiple disciplinary backgrounds are led through the development of research projects by a team of facilitators, directors and mentors. Although the outcomes are not predetermined – one aim is to define these during the sandpit – the events are often used as a method for collaborative grant-writing, with teams pitching their ideas at the conclusion of the event in the hope of securing ring-fenced funding. This sandpit approach was developed by EPSRC’s IDEAS Factory in 2004.
In RAi UK, the sandpit model was selected as a method to enable early career researchers to build and implement their own projects within the consortium.
At the end of the sandpit, teams present their proposal through a short pitch, before going away to write up a full proposal over the coming weeks. Proposals are then assessed against the following criteria:
Members of the RAi team welcomed 27 researchers to the De Vere Latimer Estate, near Chesham for the RAi Integrator Sandpit. Participants included RAi UK researchers, and members of teams from our funded portfolio of Impact Accelerator, International Partnership and Keystone Projects.
Over 3 days, participants took part in structured sandpit sessions facilitated by Lucy and Liz from the Centre for Facilitation, encouraged to explore their own skills, expertise and areas of interest alongside ‘deep dives’ into core challenges (arising from the RAi UK Roundtables); Responsible AI societies, Responsible AI systems, Responsible Human-AI Organisations, Responsible AI cultures across borders, Responsible AI education and skills , and Responsible AI for authenticity. The focus for all was on the pivotal question:
‘How can we bring delight, flourishing and fulfilment to individuals, communities, organisations and societies through the responsible design, deployment, and use of AI?’
Sandpit Directors Joel Fischer and Matt Jones, and mentors from RAi UK were on hand throughout the sandpit to offer advice and support the development of project teams and ideas. Representatives from RAi UK stakeholder organisations and funded projects were able to join us for the afternoon on day 1, or to participate through pre-recorded video pitches. By day 3 each team was ready to pitch their project to the CEO, mentors and other participants. Teams then went away to work those pitches into full proposals for the RAi Integrator Project call. 3 projects were funded and now form part of the Co-ordinating Keystone.
Responsible AI UK (RAi UK) is an ecosystem for Responsible AI in the UK and beyond. The India Sandpit was co-organised with CeRAI – a virtual interdisciplinary research centre at IIT Madras – and aimed to seed research projects that establish new relationships and address the challenges of building, operating, and regulating artificial intelligence across different countries and cultures.
‘In what ways can diverse demographics in India and the UK drive responsible AI innovations in the technological and social domains?’
An array of ideas emerged, which were subsequently refined into two exciting proposals co-created by Early Career Researchers from RAi UK and CeRAI, with input from senior academics and partners, including at a project refinement workshop in November. The supported projects now form part of the Co-ordinating Keystone.
CeRAI supports the involvement of their fellows, by funding their time, and providing research expenses and travel for India based team members to visit the UK or travel within India. RAi UK covers the time of our researchers, and research expenses, including travel for UK based team members to India.
In Spring 2025, RAi UK conducted a survey of previous sandpit participants to evaluate, and to inform the planning and design of future sandpits, and in response to some concerns about equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) challenges. We also held a Focus Group for participants to discuss experiences of attending in more detail. This study seeks to explore the nature of these EDI challenges and craft recommendations for sandpit best practice, which could range from suggested adjustments through to new sandpit models and new ways of working.
RAi UK will store your data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2017 (GDPR). We will not share your data with any third parties and you are given opportunities to unsubscribe at any time within the electronic communications you receive, or by emailing info@rai.ac.uk