SHIELD Summer School

The 2026 SHIELD Summer School, titled “Plasma Processes at the Edge of the Solar System”, will be held at Boston University during June 1st – 5th. The summer school was an intensive one-week course in the most challenging plasma processes that drive the structure and dynamics at the Edge of the Solar System.

Our summer school is appropriate for graduate and  advanced undergraduate students, and new postdoctoral researchers interested in solar and space physics. We also encourage applications from those working in adjacent fields such as stellar and astrophysics, exoplanets, or geophysics who want to deepen their understanding of the processes of the solar wind and its interaction with the interstellar medium.  

Leading research scientists working in the outer heliosphere will lecture on plasma processes and phenomena in play at the edge of the solar system. Topics covered include reconnection, turbulence, neutral-plasma interactions, overview of the structure of the heliosphere.  The theory and practice of interpreting spacecraft data from missions such as Voyager, New Horizons, and IBEX will also be an area of focus. Please check back for an updated schedule.

Summer School participants will engage in stimulating lectures from both senior and early career researchers who are leading the field into the future. Participants will also engage in activities around interpreting data and evaluating model results. There are also opportunities for networking with the lecturers and peers.  

The summer school is supported by NASA under the SHIELD DRIVE Center. US Domestic travel and lodging will be arranged and paid for by SHIELD and participants are provided a small stipend for other expenses. Though all applicants are welcome, unfortunately international travel cannot be supported.