Between 13 and 19 July, Instituto Superior Técnico hosted the 12th edition of PlasmaSurf, a summer school organised by the Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion(IPFN) that brought together 29 students from 16 countries for an intensive programme focused on plasma physics and nuclear fusion, complemented by outdoor activities such as surfing, kayaking, climbing and mountain boarding.
Each morning, students attended lectures and hands-on sessions led by Técnico professors and IPFN researchers at Técnico – Alameda campus in Lisbon, covering key topics such as plasma physics, nuclear fusion, diagnostic techniques, laser-plasma interaction, and the ITER project.
According to Jorge Paz, a Spanish student from the Fusion-EP master’s programme at Aix-Marseille University, the lectures offered a clear and engaging overview of plasma applications and fusion concepts. “Some of my colleagues had never studied plasmas and said they could follow quite well, while those of us with more experience picked up new insights and perspectives”, he noted.
From Jorge’s perspective, the academic experience was enhanced by the informal and social atmosphere, considering that the group bonded over a wide variety of fun activities and sports. A particularly notable moment for the participant was rock climbing and cliff jumping at sunset over the Atlantic. ”These shared experiences were key to forming connections in the fusion field, for example, exercising and chilling after a day of lectures really helped us connect”, he added.
The same lecture left a lasting impression on Kayra Tuncer, a Turkish student who is set to pursue a master’s degree in nanophysics at KU Leuven, Belgium. With a background in material science and nanotechnology, she highlighted how Plasmasurf allowed her to “connect the dots” between her field and plasma physics. She described the introductory sessions as eye-opening and found the lecture on inertial confinement fusion particularly exciting; it almost convinced her to pursue a career in the field of fusion. Among the activities carried out, she highlighted “climbing a route by the ocean, enjoying the view from the top, and swimming with friends in crystal clear waters”.
Shibangi Majumder, from the University of Stuttgart, emphasised how PlasmaSurf encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone, both socially and academically. Scientifically, she appreciated the interactivity of the lectures, especially the one about ITER, and mentioned that learning about lasers and their applications in optics labs was one of the “unexpected highlights of the week”.
The importance of initiatives like PlasmaSurf was underlined by Bruno Gonçalves, president of IPFN, who praised the event’s ability to attract new talent to the field. “Nuclear fusion activities are gathering momentum worldwide and plasma science is also increasing its importance to society. Therefore, it will be crucial to attract young blood into the field and nurture a new generation of researchers and engineers”. He also expressed his satisfaction with the students’ enthusiasm, wishing that “passing through the summer school is a first step towards a successful career in plasmas and nuclear fusion”.
For Lucas Da Silva, a Brazilian student currently completing a double degree at Centrale Méditerranée in France, PlasmaSurf offered both academic insight and lasting connections. He particularly enjoyed the lecture about ITER, which deepened his understanding of the current state of plasma research. “This experience gave me not only new scientific tools, but also friendships and memories I’ll take with me”, he shared.
The week concluded with a visit to IPFN’s experimental laboratories — Tokamak ISTTOK, VOXEL, and L2I – followed by a tour of Lisbon, where participants explored the city’s hills and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Tejo River, providing a memorable conclusion to the week.
