2026-27: Opening Symposium
Tuesday 29th September 2026
- Wednesday 30th September 2026
All new PhD students in the mathematical sciences at SMSTC member institutions are encouraged to attend! There will be opportunities to learn about SMSTC modules on offer this year, hear presentations about aspects of life as a PhD student, and meet fellow PhD students from across Scotland. Attendance is in person so that you can make the most of the social aspects of the programme and connect with your peers!
The SMSTC Opening Symposium for 2026-27 will be held at the AK Bell Library, Perth. Location & directions are available here: AK Bell Library
COSTS
If you are a new mathematical sciences PhD student in one of our member departments, your event fees will be covered by your department. See here for a list of our member departments: https://smstc.ac.uk/about-us . You are required to make your own travel arrangements, which you need to book yourself and then arrange reimbursement with your department, according to their relevant procedures.
(If financial constraints are preventing you from attending, please contact the SMSTC Director, ana.lecuona@glasgow.ac.uk and we can discuss how to help.)
Day one commences at 10.00am and day two is expected to conclude at c.3.30pm
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be reserved for the night of Tuesday 29th September only, for any participant that requires it (single occupancy). You will be asked if you require accommodation when you complete the sign-up form. Details of the accommodation provided will be emailed to you after the sign-up deadline has passed.
PROGRAMME
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Tuesday 29th September |
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10.00 - 11.00 |
Registration and coffee |
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11.00 - 11.30 |
Welcome (Ana Lecuona) |
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11.30 - 11.50 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Mathematical Methods for Data-Driven Modelling (Debasish Das) |
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11.50 - 12:00 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Gravity & Holography (Matthew Walters) |
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12:00 – 12:20 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Mathematics of Fluids and Plasmas (Erin Goldstraw) |
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12.20 - 12.30 |
Royal Statistical Society (Nevil Hopley)
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12:30 – 13:15 |
Lunch |
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13:15 – 13:45 |
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13:45 - 14.00 |
University College Union (Maia Woolf) |
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14.05 - 14:25 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Integrable Systems (Anton Izosimov) |
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14:25 – 14:45 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Class Field Theory (James Rawson) |
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14:45 – 15:05 |
Coffee break |
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15:05 – 15:50 |
Breakout activity |
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15:55 – 16:15 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Calculus of Variations (John Ball) |
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16:15 – 16:45 |
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19.30 onwards |
Dinner at Willows |
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Wednesday 30th September |
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09:15 – 09:20 |
Welcome back and Q&A |
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09:20 – 09:50 |
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09:50 – 10:00 |
Student Rep experience (Gary McPake) |
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10:00 – 10:20 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Conformal Field Theory & Vertex Operator Algebras (Anatoly Konechny) |
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10.20 - 12.05 |
Breakout activity |
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12.05 - 12.50 |
Lunch |
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12:50 – 13:20 |
Theme Talk: Structure & Symmetry (Alessandro Sisto) |
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13:20 - 13:40 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Algebraic K-Theory I and II (Irakli Patchkoria) |
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13:45-14:00 |
Supplementary Module Talk: Quantum Guage Theory (Lotte Hollands) |
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14:00 – 14:10 |
Break |
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14:10 – 14:40 |
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14:40 – 15:00 |
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15.00 – 15.30 |
Wrap up, coffee and connections |
Day one includes an evening group dinner at a local restaurnt. When you complete the sign-up form you will be asked about any dietary requirements for all catering, including the dinner.
Day two includes a social event, 'Try Curling' at the Dewars Leisure Centre. This is a fun, relaxed coaching session on the iconic Scottish sport of curling, where you will learn how to deliver a curling stone, how to sweep, etiquette & rules and have the chance to try out a game of curling as part of a small team.
When you complete the sign-up form you will be asked if you wish to take part. You will need to bring a pair of clean trainers / rubber-soled shoes with you for the activity.
MODULE INFORMATION
Theme talks as part of the Symposium will present information on all the SMSTC Core modules and the programme also includes presentations by leaders of many of this year's Supplementary modules. You can access preparatory information about the 2026-27 modules listing via our modules page.
Location
Sign-Up is required to confirm your attendance and inform us of any requirements. There are limited places so early sign-up is encouraged!