Summer Schools

Overview: Physics of Life Schools

Physics of Life Schools are immersive, interdisciplinary programmes designed for early-career researchers eager to explore how physics and biology together advance our understanding of living systems.

Traditionally held in the historic surroundings of Durham University, the Schools unite national and international participants in a vibrant residential environment that encourages both intellectual exchange and collaboration.

Durham University, Castle College

Physics of Life School Highlights

The Schools offer a dynamic blend of expert-led lectures, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities that inspire discovery and teamwork at the interface of physics and biology. Participants explore how physical principles shape biological systems, from molecules to organisms to disease, while gaining valuable skills for success in interdisciplinary research careers.

Cutting-Edge Research Talks
Engage with world-leading experts through lectures and discussions on topics such as computational modelling, advanced imaging, synthetic biology, and applications to health and disease.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Work alongside peers from diverse scientific backgrounds. The programme promotes genuine collaboration and creative, cross-disciplinary thinking to address complex biological challenges.
Career Development & Science Communication
Gain practical insights into career paths across academia, industry, and beyond. Workshops in science communication and professional development strengthen essential skills for presenting research and navigating interdisciplinary environments.
Networking & Community
Supported by the Physics of Life Network (PoLNET), the Schools foster a lasting, supportive community that continues to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange. Structured events—including flash talks, poster sessions, and formal dinners—offer inclusive spaces to connect with peers and leading scientists.
Empowering the Next Generation of Biophysical Scientists
The Schools not only deepen scientific understanding but also equip participants to become future leaders in biophysics. Whether your focus is fundamental discovery or translational research, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and network to make a meaningful impact at the intersection of physics and biology.

Support and Registration

The Physics of Life Schools are made possible through generous support from UKRI and, where possible, additional partners including Durham University’s Biological Sciences Institute (BSI), the British Biophysical Society (BBS), the Institute of Physics Biological Physics Group (IoP BPG), and the Wellcome Trust.
This funding enables us to significantly subsidise attendance, keeping registration fees low while delivering a rich, research-focused programme designed for early-career researchers.
Our registration packages offer exceptional value—typically starting at around £140—and usually include three nights of college accommodation, all meals, and full access to four days of academic sessions and networking events.
Thanks to this support, the Schools remain consistently popular, with overwhelmingly positive participant feedback (see testimonials below).
With the launch of our new PoLNET4 funding, we are excited to announce that two further Schools are planned for 2026 and 2027. Planning is already underway, so stay up to date by joining our mailing list for future announcements.

Previous Summer Schools

Physics of Life Summer School 2018
Physics of Life Summer School 2019
Physics of Life Winter School 2023
Physics of Life Summer School 2025

Summer School Feedback

Participant Reflections: Life at the Interface of Physics and Biology

Discover what makes the Physics of Life Summer Schools such a transformative experience — directly from the researchers who took part. From world-class lectures to castle dining, these reflections capture the collaboration, creativity, and community that define PoLNET.

Where Disciplines Collide: Reflections from the PoLNET Summer School

Report from Anna Worsely - PhD student, KCL

At the intersection of physics and biology, the Physics of Life Network 2025 Summer School brought together early-career researchers exploring the mechanics of life itself. For me, six months into my PhD at King’s College London, it was an unexpected yet timely opportunity. I had imagined conferences as something reserved for later — after the data, the papers, and the confidence. But PoLNET offered the perfect environment to share early work, build communication skills, and connect with scientists from across disciplines.

Coming from a chemistry background, I now work on visualising single-molecule translocation events through nanopores in collaboration with Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Understanding these mechanisms could transform nanopore-based sequencing, with implications for cancer diagnostics, infectious disease monitoring, and genomics.

Anna Worsley, King’s College London

“The PoLNET Summer School was the perfect environment for growth and innovation — a place where science, creativity, and collaboration truly meet."

Anna (far left) as a founding member of the Physics of Life running club!

The School opened with flash talks and posters showcasing projects that seamlessly blended experimental, computational, and theoretical biophysics. Workshops such as “Working Across Disciplines: No Such Thing as a Stupid Question” reminded us of the power of curiosity — and how much can be gained from asking the basics.

A highlight was Dr. Michelle Sahai’s talk on AI-driven computational models for drug discovery, applied to modern psychoactive substances — a vivid example of how advances in biophysics ripple into policy, ethics, and society.
Equally inspiring were imaging talks by Dr. Kirti Prakash and Dr. Kurt Anderson, tracing microscopy’s evolution from its earliest days to cutting-edge selective illumination methods — sparking ideas for refining my own imaging experiments.

Prof. Rivka Isaacson’s workshop on science communication was another standout, especially discussions about creative outreach, like Dr. Goodsell’s molecular art and Prof. Drukker’s fusion of pottery and physics. It made me rethink how science can be shared — through visuals, stories, and art.

Beyond the lectures, the School offered unforgettable experiences — dining in Durham’s Castle College, exploring the cathedral (and spotting Harry Potter filming locations), and joining the running club through the city’s cobbled streets.

The PoLNET Summer School broadened both my scientific and personal horizons. I would highly recommend it to any early-career researcher eager to explore biophysics, gain confidence, and find their place in a thriving interdisciplinary community.

Bridging Theory and Biology: Insights from India

Report from Mayank Sharma — PhD Student, IISER Pune, India

Mayank was one of the recipients of our Physics of Life Wellcome Bursary awards for researchers travelling from LMICs (see here).

My research focuses on understanding how passive mesoscopic entities move in thermal environments where damping or diffusion varies across space — as often seen in crowded biological systems. I study how spatial inhomogeneities influence Brownian motion and lead to unexpected transport behaviours under local equilibrium.

I joined the 2025 Physics of Life Summer School after being awarded a PoL Travel bursary (funded by the Wellcome Trust) to learn how physics contributes to biological problems, from morphogenesis to drug delivery and disease biology. The School’s interdisciplinary focus was immediately clear — it brought together researchers from physics, chemistry, and the life sciences in an atmosphere of collaboration and curiosity.

The most memorable session for me was the workshop “Crafting Scientific Narratives: Abstract Writing & Communication”. We paired up and explained each other’s research to the audience — a challenging yet enjoyable exercise that sharpened our communication skills. Other memorable experiences, included Visiting Durham Castle, dining in its grand hall, and standing in the same spots where the Harry Potter films were shot made the experience truly magical. (“Expecto Patronum!” was definitely shouted more than once.)

I learned how valuable it is to engage with people from different backgrounds and to bridge theory with real-world applications. The School inspired me to think creatively about interdisciplinary collaboration and its potential to advance both physics and biology.
Read more about Mayank's personal related research here:

Mayank Sharma pictured far left in Durham City market place

"The PoLNET Summer School was both scientifically enriching and personally inspiring — a reminder that great science happens when diverse minds connect.”
— Mayank Sharma, IISER Pune

Durham Castle, the venue for the Physics of Life conference dinner

Join the Next Physics of Life School

Inspired by these stories? With our new PoLNET4 funding, we’re planning two more Schools for 2026 and 2027. Stay informed and be first to hear when applications open by joining our mailing list.