Royce was delighted to recently host the Materials for Quantum Networks (M4QN) Summer School, a four-day residential event designed to bring together 52 UK-based PhD researchers working at the forefront of quantum materials and technologies.
Held at the Royce Hub Building in Manchester, this second event in the M4QN series followed the successful Winter School earlier this year and continued to foster interdisciplinary learning and collaboration across the quantum materials landscape.
Designed to equip early-career researchers with both technical insights and practical knowledge, the Summer School covered emerging topics across quantum devices, optoelectronics, spin systems, and materials science. The programme also explored wider themes including quantum policy, reproducibility in research, and pathways into careers across academia and industry.
M4QN was established in 2022 to address the critical role of materials in the advancement of quantum technologies in the UK and is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). It aims to bring together the world-leading UK materials research base, the existing National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), and the developing quantum technologies industry base in a UK-wide coordinated effort.
Across a programme of expert lectures, workshops and interactive sessions, attendees gained a comprehensive overview of the current challenges and opportunities shaping the future of quantum technologies. Highlights included an engaging session from Pawel Piotrowicz, a European and UK Patent Attorney working specialising in Electronics, Software and Communications, who introduced key considerations around intellectual property and patenting in quantum materials.
Thoughtful reflections on the future of the field were sparked by Richard Curry’s roadmap discussion, while Ilana Wisby’s “Leading with Heart” workshop brought a fresh perspective on emotional intelligence in entrepreneurship. Joe Willis from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) rounded out the mix with an impactful session on policy, exploring how researchers can play a role in shaping the national quantum agenda.
This rich mix of professional insight was complemented by a series of technical sessions, with those on spin systems led by Yusuf Karli – where ‘spin’ refers to the intrinsic angular momentum in collections of quantum particles like electrons that could be harnessed as a fundamental resource in quantum technologies – were particularly well received by the cohort.
Crucially, the Summer School also served as a platform for building connections: early-career researchers had the opportunity to engage with academic leaders, industry professionals, and peers from across the UK’s quantum ecosystem. Workshops on progressional development and policy added valuable context to the UK’s wider quantum landscape.
Royce believes that the development of scientific and technical expertise in materials science and engineering has never been more important. Supporting skills development, building strong communities, and providing access to cutting-edge facilities are central to our mission.
To learn more about our opportunities for students and early-career researchers, visit our dedicated support page here.
