Gatsby Plant Science Summer School
Discover the world of plant biology
Are you an undergraduate bioscience student curious about plant science, but haven't yet explored it in depth? We designed this immersive summer school specifically to spark your interest and reveal where a career in plant biology can take you.
Join peers from 30 UK universities to learn directly from leading global researchers in a relaxed, welcoming, and collaborative environment.
Quick facts
- Cost: Completely FREE (fully funded by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation)
- Eligibility: First-year undergraduates (or second-year students in Scotland) at participating UK universities
- When: 5 days between June-July each year
- Where: The Hawkhills, Easingwold, York
- How to Apply: Contact the Gatsby Mentor at your university
What to expect
Spend a dynamic week building your skills, your network, and your future. The program blends world-class science with social connection:
- Learn from the experts: Hear the UK’s top scientists explain how plant biology addresses global challenges and solves science's biggest questions
- Build practical skills: Dive into hands-on lab practicals, tutorials, and interactive discussions to develop your skills for research, study and work
- Map out your future: Attend targeted careers sessions to gain insider insight into research pathways, industry roles, and graduate study
- Form lasting connections: Meet lifelong friends and professional connections in a welcoming and supportive environment
Who can apply?
You must be a first-year undergraduate student (or a second-year student in Scotland) enrolled at one of the 30 participating UK universities.
How to apply?
To be considerd for a place, contact your university’s Gatsby Mentor and let them know you are interested.
There are 80 student places, selected from 30 UK universities.
Your mentor will select the most suitable undergraduate students from your university. Don’t be put off that it’s competitive; it’s worth telling your mentor if you’re interested, as they may be able to put other local opportunities your way too.
History of the summer school
Now in its 22nd year, the summer school was established by the University of Leeds in 2005 to inspire the next generation of plant scientists. It became part of the Gatsby Plant Science Education Programme (GPSEP) at the University of Cambridge in 2014.
Gatsby Plant Science Summer School attendees and organisers out the front of the York venue.
GPSSS is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn more about plant science and gain new perspectives about academia.
Gatsby Plant Science Summer School student (2024)
I came here not knowing what to expect... but the events have helped nerves disappear and have captured me into the world of plant biology firmly now.
Gatsby Plant Science Summer School student (2025)
Past Gatsby Plant Science Summer School lectures
You can view lectures from past years on the Gatsby Plant Science Education Programme YouTube channel.
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Deepening engagement in plant science
Alongside the annual summer school, the Gatsby Plant Science Education Programme periodically develops additional activities to reach wider student audiences. In recent years, one example of such an initiative has been Rootstock, a summer school designed for plant enthusiastic bioscience students to delve deeper into the fascinating realm of plant science.
Contacts
The project manager for the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School is Claire Pennycuick, and the project coordinator is Yulia Lapko. If you have any additional questions about the summer school, please contact Yulia via email at gpsep@botanic.cam.ac.uk.
Support and accessibility
Venue has accessible facilities, and individual needs can be discussed. Students can speak to their Gatsby Mentor about bursaries, access arrangements or any barriers to attend.
Recruiting students to join the summer programme
The recruitment of students for the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School is aided by Gatsby Mentors working in the participating universities.
A full list of the mentors is provided below. Students can find out more about the summer schools by contacting the Gatsby Mentor at their university.
Gatsby mentors
Professor John Doonan (Aberystwyth University)
Dr Angharad Jones (Cardiff University)
Dr Miguel De Lucas (Durham University)
Dr Tolga Bozkurt (Imperial College London)
Dr Mike Roberts (Lancaster University)
Dr Patricia Lopez-Calcago (Newcastle University)
Professor Verena Kriechbaumer (Oxford Brookes University)
Professor Alessandra Devoto (Royal Holloway University of London)
Dr Gareth Norton (University of Aberdeen)
Dr Paula Kover (University of Bath)
Dr Daniel Gibbs (University of Birmingham)
Professor Jill Harrison (University of Bristol)
Professor Julian M. Hibberd (University of Cambridge)
Dr Piers Hemsley (University of Dundee)
Dr Ben Miller (University of East Anglia)
Dr Andrea Paterlini (University of Edinburgh)
Dr Pallavi Singh (University of Essex)
Dr Mike Deeks (University of Exeter)
Dr Eirini Kaiserli (University of Glasgow)
Dr Stefan Kepinski (University of Leeds)
Dr Sinéad Drea (University of Leicester)
Dr James Hartwell (University of Liverpool)
Dr Jon Pittman (University of Manchester)
Professor Zoe Wilson (University of Nottingham)
Dr Francesco Licausi (University of Oxford)
Dr Jonathan Mitchley (University of Reading)
Professor Katie Field (University of Sheffield)
Professor Matthew Terry (University of Southampton)
Professor Alex Jones (University of Warwick)
Dr Liz Rylott (University of York)