See below for our series of workshops running on the morning of Tuesday 9th June, before the conference starts that afternoon.
Workshop 1: Visual Storytelling
This workshop will explore the continuous spectrum between science, arts, and the humanities. Narrative development is fundamental to conceptualising and communicating the sciences, while the arts and humanities place scientific knowledge into societal, ethical and political context. Dr Emily Finer (School of Modern Languages), Dr Claire Cousins (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences), and Dr Martin Dominik (School of Physics and Astronomy) will be joined by BPSC Keynote speaker Olena Kompaniiets and fine artist Ilana Halperin to examine how illustrated children’s books, science fiction, and contemporary art can lend novel interpretations to planetary phenomena and expand our understanding beyond factualised scientific discovery. Places are limited to 20 to allow active discussion and engagement for all participants.
This workshop will run on 9th June 10am – 1pm, with a refreshment break included.
To sign up, please complete this form: BPSC Visual Storytelling workshop – Fill in form by the 22nd May 2026 (inclusive). Places will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis.
Workshop 2: A guide to using Lunar polarimetric DFSAR data from Chandrayaan-2
This workshop is focussed on the techniques needed to process polarimetric DFSAR data from India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission to the Moon, and is aimed particularly at lunar scientists unfamiliar with radar. A suite of software tools are being developed at Royal Holloway, University of London, as part of the UK Space Agency’s Bilateral Science programme with India. The workshop will start with introductory lectures covering the basic concepts of SAR imaging (Richard Ghail, Royal Holloway) and polarimetry (Armando Marino, Stirling University). While still in development, participants will then gain hands-on access to the tools in a walk-through practical with Poppy McVann (Royal Holloway).
This workshop will run on the morning of 9th June, with refreshments included.
To sign up, please complete this form: Lunar Radar workshop form by the 22nd May 2026 (inclusive). Places will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis.
Workshop 3: Modelling and interpreting JWST spectra of exoplanets
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has kick-started a revolution in our knowledge of extrasolar planets, providing the first high-fidelity spectra of worlds around other stars. These spectroscopic observations have expanded the remit of planetary science beyond the solar system. This workshop will provide an introduction to the tools and techniques used to interpret James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) spectroscopic observations of exoplanet atmospheres. The workshop will be delivered by Dr Ryan MacDonald (School of Physics and Astronomy) in two parts:
- Measuring Exoplanet Atmospheres with the James Webb Space Telescope (lecture). This short (~ 30 minute) lecture will provide an introduction to the exoplanet atmosphere field for non-experts.
- Modelling and Interpretation of a JWST Exoplanet Spectrum (hands-on). Participants will use an open source exoplanet spectra modelling code (installed on participant’s laptops before the workshop) to infer the chemical composition of a giant exoplanet from a real JWST spectrum.
No existing knowledge or research experience in the exoplanet field is assumed. Knowledge of Python will be assumed for the second part of the workshop, which will use a Jupyter notebook on participant’s own laptops.
This workshop will run on the morning of 9th June.
To sign up, please complete this form: BPSC Exoplanet Workshop by the 22nd May 2026 (inclusive).