Summer School, July 2025

Reflecting on Our First Summer School at Shrivenham Defence Academy

From 14 to 16 July, we were proud to host our very first Summer School at the Shrivenham Defence Academy. The event brought together Hub students, representatives from industry partner organisations, and Hub staff for three days of talks, practical demonstrations, and collaborative activities.

The first day was dedicated to Radio Frequency (RF) technologies. Attendees enjoyed a series of talks covering magnetrons, radar systems, and electromagnetic compatibility. Alongside these sessions, there was an equipment demonstration and a chance for Hub students to deliver lightning pitches on their research projects. Poster presentations were displayed to encourage lively and interactive discussions.

A highlight of the day was the ballot for the best poster and lightning pitch. The award for best poster resulted in a three-way split between Daniel Elmar from the University of Southampton, Alan Hamilton from the University of Glasgow, and Dominic Blackledge, also from the University of Southampton. The best lightning pitch was awarded to Ryan Daly from the University of Liverpool.

Throughout the day, breaks provided opportunities for participants to network, view the posters, and explore the range of military equipment on display at the academy.

Day two focused on systems. The programme included sessions on target tracking, the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning, system integration and interoperability, and a series of real-world case studies. Students and industry representatives were grouped into mixed teams to collaborate on a task, encouraging interdisciplinary engagement and knowledge sharing.

Participants were also given the opportunity to take a guided tour of the armoury

The final day centred on lasers and optics. Talks covered several topics in this field, and the day also featured a panel discussion with experts offering their insights. The Summer School concluded with a student challenge that had begun before the event. Each team presented their findings to the wider group, answered questions, and the winning team was selected by a panel of judges.

Our first summer school offered a balanced mix of content tailored to our students and industry partners, while also providing valuable opportunities for networking and building connections across both academic and industry sectors. The programme featured a range of sessions designed to inform and engage all participants, complemented by a couple of social events designed to help our students to get to know each other better and feel part of the group. These activities helped to strengthen peer relationships and create a sense of community within the cohort, as our students are based at various locations across the UK.