The SPECIES Summer School is looking for students interested in gaining evolutionary computation and general research work skills, networking with the school mentors and with other students and enjoying a nice stay by the Mediterranean!
We specially encourage women and minorities to apply for this summer school, where everyone is welcome.
Dates
August 26 (Tuesday) to 31 (Sunday), 2025.
Venue
The SPECIES Summer School will be held in the town of Moraira, a cute beach resort in the South-eastern coast of Spain.
Up to 16 students will be lodged in the La Marina Youth Hostel, where the sessions will also take place.
Mentors’ team
Anikó Ekárt — Aston University, UK
J. Ignacio (Iñaki) Hidalgo — Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
(to be completed)
Anna I Esparcia-Alcázar — SPECIES, Spain (Summer School Coordinator)
Programme (tentative)
| 26 Aug. | 27 Aug. | 28 Aug. | 29 Aug. | 30 Aug. | 31 Aug. | 1 Sep. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | 10:00 | Arrival & reception | Tutorial 3 | Tutorial 5 | Tutorial 7 | Tutorial 9 | Team work | That’s all folks! |
| 10:00 | 11:00 | Tutorial 4 | Tutorial 6 | Tutorial 8 | Tutorial 10 | |||
| 11:00 | 11:30 | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break | ||
| 11:30 | 12:30 | Introduction to the summer school, presentation of the program | Challenges’ Pitch | Team work | Team work | Sailing and kayaking | Team work | |
| 12:30 | 13:30 | |||||||
| 13:30 | 15:30 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Picnic | Lunch | |
| 15:30 | 16:30 | Tutorial 1 | Splitting into groups | Team work | Team work | Outdoor activity | Presentation of the Challenges’ Results | |
| 16:30 | 17:30 | Tutorial 2 | ||||||
| 17:30 | 18:30 | Ice breaker | Outdoor activity | Beach volley | Outdoor activity | Team work | Closing ceremony | |
| 18:30 | 19:30 | |||||||
| 19:30 | 21:00 | Welcome Reception | Dinner | Pizzas on the beach | Dinner | Dinner | Farewell dinner |
Who can apply
Students and recent graduates interested in bio-inspired computation
Fees: 350 €
Included in the fees: 7 nights accommodation (Monday 25th to Monday 1st), all meals from Tuesday August 26th breakfast to Monday September1st breakfast, outdoor activities.
You can choose between arriving at the hostel on Monday 25th evening (dinner not included) or Tuesday 26th in the morning. You may also book (and pay) additional nights accommodation via the hostel web page.
The fees do not include: travel to and from the venue, visa costs (if any), insurance, optional activities.
How to get there
Nearest airports are Alicante and Valencia.
Please note: A special bus will be arranged for people flying to and from Valencia — please let us know if you’re interested!
If you prefer to travel independently, from either airport go to the respective Estación de Autobuses, where you can take a bus (around 14.45 € one way from Valencia, 11.70€ from Alicante) to Teulada. From the same bus stop (or the one across the road) you can then take another bus to Moraira.
The times for the buses Teluada-Moraira are: 9:10, 11:15, 13:00, 17:40, 19:40 and they take 10 minutes. Then you need to walk 9 minutes to the hostel
What to bring
- Compulsory: Your own laptop to work on the projects.
- Recommended: swimming costume, beach towel, sun cream, hat, diving mask
The Summer School Code
Students are expected to:
- Attend the 6 days of the summer school
- Cooperatively work on a challenge and follow the standards of proper social and research behavior.
- Deliver, by the end of the school, a presentation on what they have been working on during it.
Papers resulting from previous Summer School editions
How to apply
Places will be allocated on a first come-first served basis. Please, fill the form below to apply.
