Spring School May 2026

The Quantum Informatics CDT (QI CDT) was delighted to welcome participants from across the quantum community to its inaugural Spring School, held from 24^th to 29^th May 2026 at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye. Bringing together postgraduate students, early-career researchers and leading academics, the School provided an intensive week of advanced training across some of the most important areas of modern quantum informatics.

The programme reflected the interdisciplinary nature of quantum informatics, spanning quantum algorithms, complexity theory, programming languages, semantics, resource estimation, causality and quantum error correction. Through a combination of lectures, tutorials and discussions, participants gained insight into both the theoretical foundations and practical challenges facing the development of future quantum technologies.

The School opened with a course on Quantum Algorithms and Complexity: A Modern Approach, delivered by Dr Jinge Bao from the University of Edinburgh. Dr Bao introduced participants to modern approaches to quantum algorithm design, including Quantum Singular Value Transformation (QSVT), and explored both unconditional and conditional lower bounds in quantum complexity theory. His expertise in quantum algorithms and computational complexity provided students with a rigorous understanding of the capabilities and limitations of quantum computation.

Participants also benefited from Compilation and Resource Estimation, taught by Dr Olivia Di Matteo of the University of British Columbia. Dr Di Matteo guided attendees through the challenges of translating high-level quantum algorithms into fault-tolerant implementations, demonstrating how compilation strategies and hardware assumptions influence resource requirements. As a leading researcher in quantum software and compilation, she offered valuable perspectives on bridging theory and practical implementation.

A course on Causality in Quantum Theory from Within was delivered by Professor Fay Dowker of Imperial College London. An internationally recognised researcher in quantum foundations and quantum gravity, Professor Dowker introduced participants to path-integral approaches to quantum theory and explored emerging ideas concerning intrinsic notions of causality within quantum systems.

The programme’s training in Quantum Error Correction was provided by Dr Armanda Quintavalle from Iceberg Quantum. The course examined how reliable quantum computation can be achieved despite noise and imperfections in quantum hardware, covering both fault-tolerant protocols and current challenges in decoding and logical operations. Participants gained insight into one of the most critical areas for the future scalability of quantum computing.

In Quantum Programming Languages, Professor Benoît Valiron of CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, explored the structure of quantum algorithms and the programming paradigms needed to express them effectively. Drawing on his internationally recognised work in quantum programming languages, type systems and semantics, Professor Valiron provided participants with a deeper understanding of how programming language design supports quantum software development.

The School concluded its core academic programme with Semantics of Mixed Quantum Theory, delivered by Dr Priyaa Srinivasan of Tallinna Tehnikaülikool. Through an exploration of linear logic, category theory and diagrammatic reasoning, participants examined the mathematical structures that underpin quantum theory and quantum computation. Dr Srinivasan’s expertise in categorical methods and quantum semantics provided a unique perspective on the foundations of the field. 

Alongside the formal teaching programme, participants engaged in industry tutorials, panel discussions, and networking activities that provided valuable opportunities to connect with researchers, industry professionals and fellow students from across the quantum ecosystem. Contributions from the Spring School’s sponsors included sessions delivered by Tomer Itelson (Classiq), Dr Viet Pham Ngoc and Ruairi Pyrgos (Infleqtion UK), and Dr Sophie Engineer (IBM), offering participants insight into current developments and career opportunities within the quantum sector.

Set against the backdrop of the Isle of Skye, the School fostered a collaborative environment that encouraged discussion, reflection, knowledge exchange and the development of new professional connections.

The QI CDT would like to thank all speakers, participants, organisers and sponsors for contributing to the success of the inaugural Spring School. The outstanding quality of the teaching and engagement throughout the week demonstrated the strength and breadth of the quantum informatics community, and we look forward to building on this success in future editions of the School.