1. Aim & Scope

The third Workshop and School will be hosted by CAU at Kiel. The School will run from 04-08 September 2026 and Workshop #3 will follow from 09-11 September 2026. Both will gather all Consortium Partners, members of the External Advisory Board (EAC), and young scientists from outside the project. It will provide a platform to present and discuss the latest SPEARHEAD results and developments. A key component of the event will be the tutorial-style school offering hands-on training with SPEARHEAD tools and data, further strengthening user engagement and community building.

2. School

The SPEARHEAD School offers hands-on training with its tools and data, providing an interactive introduction to the project’s methodologies while building on previously developed MSc course materials.

Open to students, early-career researchers, and other interested participants, the school especially encourages student applications. Limited financial support is available upon request (deadline: 30 April 2026).

The program includes practical exercises and is offered as an elective module worth 3 ECTS credits, assessed through participation, group work, and a short report or presentation.

Lectures will be given by:

• Dresing Nina – University of Turku, Finland
• Dumbovic Mateja – Hvar Observatory, Croatia
• Heber Bernd – Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany
• Mishev Alexander – University of Oulu, Finland
• Papaioannou Athanasios – National Observatory of Athens, Greece

Held in a hybrid format, the school also features social activities, including visits to Laboe and Kiel Rönne, to support networking and community building.

3. Workshop

The workshop will bring together researchers, students, and stakeholders, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and community building.

Confirmed Speakers (in alphabetical order):

• Benella Simone – INAF, Italy
• Dalla Silvia – UCLan, UK
• Klein Ludwig – ObsParis, France
• Richardson Ian G. – NASA/GSFC & Univ. Maryland, USA
• Rodriguez-Garcia Laura – ESA
• Rouillard Alexis P. – IRAP, France & AIP, Germany
• Warmuth Alexander – AIP, Germany
• Wijsen Nicolas – KU Leuven, Belgium

The scientific programme will feature:

• Invited lectures by leading experts
• Short contributed presentations
• Interactive discussions and networking opportunities

Each session is designed to foster both depth and interaction. It will begin with a review presentation by an invited speaker, providing context and outlining key themes. This will be followed by a SPEARHEAD impact contribution and two short contributed talks. Sessions will conclude with a moderated discussion, encouraging active exchange between speakers and participants.

In addition, posters will be displayed in the lecture hall and will be available throughout the workshop for viewing and discussion, offering further opportunities for engagement.

The workshop will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and remote participation.

Proceedings:

Open-access proceedings (MACAU) are planned for this workshop. Publication is free of charge, with priority given to first publications by students, supporting early-career researchers in disseminating their work. These proceedings will also enhance the visibility and impact of SPEARHEAD.

School & Workshop Timeline

• 02/04/2026 – First Announcement of SPEARHEAD School & Financial Support
• 02/04/2026 – Registration for the SPEARHEAD School is Open
• 25/04/2026 – Second Announcement of SPEARHEAD School & Financial Support
• 31/04/2026 – Deadline for SPEARHEAD School Financial Support call
• 01/05/2026 – First announcement of the SPEARHEAD Workshop #3
• 01/05/2026 – Registration for the SPEARHEAD Workshop #3 is Open
• 01/05/2026 – Call for Abstracts for the SPEARHEAD Workshop #3
• 15/05/2026 – Second announcement of the SPEARHEAD Workshop #3
• 30/06/2026 – Deadline for in-person SPEARHEAD School registration
• 01/09/2026 – Deadline for hybrid/virtual SPEARHEAD School registration
• 30/06/2026 – Deadline for in-person SPEARHEAD Workshop #3 registration
• 01/09/2026 – Deadline for hybrid/virtual SPEARHEAD Workshop #3 registration
• 04/09/2026 – SPEARHEAD School in-person/hybrid/virtual begins
• 09/09/2026 – SPEARHEAD Workshop #3 in-person/hybrid/virtual begins

Visa Information for International Participants

Participants who require a visa to enter Germany are strongly encouraged to contact the German embassy or consulate responsible for their place of residence at the earliest opportunity in order to determine the applicable entry requirements and expected processing times.

Registered participants of the SPEARHEAD School and/or Workshop #3 may request a formal letter of invitation to support their visa application. Such letters will be issued by the local organizers and will confirm the participant’s registration, as well as the title, dates, location, and official nature of the event.

Please note that a letter of invitation is issued exclusively for the purpose of supporting a visa application. It does not constitute a commitment by the organizers or the host institution to cover registration fees, travel expenses, accommodation costs, daily allowances, health insurance, or any other associated costs, unless explicitly stated.

Participants are solely responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa and for ensuring compliance with all relevant immigration requirements. They are also responsible for arranging and covering their own travel, accommodation, insurance, and related expenses.

To request a visa support letter, participants should contact the local organizing team at spearhead.ws3-loc@noa.gr and provide the following information:

• full name as it appears in the passport
• nationality
• passport number
• institutional affiliation
• postal address
• confirmation of registration for the School and/or Workshop