CCMI RAL Visit 2026 - Tuesday 26th May

Full-day visit to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) — a facility of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC-UKRI) — by the Collaborative Computational Modelling at the Interface (CCMI) Centre for Doctoral Training.

The day will include tours of world-class facilities like the Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, as well as lightning talks, opportunities to network with STFC researchers, and the chance to hear about some of the open-source software projects that exist at the facilities.

• About the Organizations Overview of STFC, RAL, and the CCMI CDT.

• Provisional Timetable Schedule of events, talks, and networking sessions.

• Facility Tours & Safety Guidelines Essential site access rules, ID requirements, and tour information.

• Registration Mandatory registration.

About the Organizations

This page provides a brief overview of the host organizations, the scientific facilities, and the visiting Centre for Doctoral Training for the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site visit on Tuesday, 26th May 2026.

Collaborative Computational Modelling at the Interface (CCMI) CDT

Collaborative Computational Modelling at the Interface (CCMI) is a collaboration between University College London and Imperial College London. It offers a novel and innovative PhD training programme at the interface of computational modelling, data sciences, and research software engineering.

The Software Journey: A core component of this programme where students collaborate on a diverse range of open-source software projects. Some are suggested by the students themselves, while others are driven by academics or industrial partners.

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is a United Kingdom government agency that carries out research in science and engineering. It is one of the constituent councils of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

STFC funds and operates large-scale scientific facilities, providing researchers in the UK and internationally with access to world-class equipment and expertise.

Mission: To deliver world-leading national and international research and innovation capabilities and, through those, discover the secrets of the Universe.

Its major research and innovation campuses at Harwell (RAL) and Daresbury, along with research facilities across the UK and overseas, support fundamental research in astronomy, physics, computational science, and space science.

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL)

The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) is one of STFC's primary scientific research laboratories, located on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.

The site is home to several major experimental facilities and computing centres.

Facilities at RAL

During the day, the visitors will interact with several key areas of the laboratory:

Scientific Computing Department (SCD)
An international centre of excellence for advanced computing expertise and digital research infrastructure.

Diamond Light Source
The UK’s national synchrotron, serving scientists and researchers from around the world.

ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Enables researchers to explore materials down to the atomic level, providing insights to answer key scientific questions and drive innovations that benefit society.

Provisional Timetable: CCMI Trip to RAL

Facility Tours & Safety Requirements

As part of the CCMI visit to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), attendees will participate in guided tours of the Diamond Light Source and the ISIS Muon and Neutron Source.

Due to the nature of these working scientific facilities, strict health, safety, and security protocols are in place. Please read the following requirements carefully before your visit.

Essential Site Access Requirements

To enter the RAL site and participate in the tours, all visitors must comply with security registration:

• Mandatory Photographic ID: All Visitors must bring an in-date, physical photographic ID. Accepted forms include a Passport, or Driving Licence. Digital copies on a phone are not permitted.
• Visitor Badges: Badges will be issued at the Reception upon arrival and successful ID verification. These must be worn and visible at all times.

ISIS Muon and Neutron Source Tour Requirements

• Mandatory Safety Reading and form: All visitors to ISIS must read and fill in the form ISIS Safety Information and form for Visitors. You will be asked to confirm you have read and filled in the form during registration.

Diamond Light Source Tour Requirements

The Diamond Light Source advices the following for visitors participating in the tour:

• Footwear: The tour involves extensive walking. Visitos are advised to wear comfortable, closed-toed footwear.
• Temperature: The synchrotron building can feel quite warm. Visitors are advised to utilise the facilities available to leave any layers or coats before the tours.
• Accessibility: There are very few restrictions for those with health and mobility issues, but we require advance notice to plan suitable tour routes. Please declare any specific requirements during registration.

Action Required

Before the visit, please complete the CCMI RAL Visit 2026 registration form.

Registration & Preparation

Complete the registration form here.

1. Mandatory Reading Before Registering

Before completing your registration, you must read the Facility Tours & Safety Guidelines page.

The registration form will require you to confirm that you have read and understood the strict security and safety protocols, including:

• The requirement for valid, physical photographic ID.
• The mandatory ISIS safety information.
• The Diamond Light Source tour advice.

2. Preparing for Lightning Talks

During the afternoon session, there will be a 1.5-hour block of lightning talks featuring both CCMI PhD students and STFC staff, along with 45 minutes of discussion.

Time Limits

Each lightning talk must be strictly no more than 4 minutes. Please prepare your materials accordingly, keeping in mind that there will be minimal time for changeovers between speakers.

Talk Content Guidelines

Further details defining exactly what we expect will be added here.