From 25–29 August 2025, the Horizon Europe HELIOS project held its Summer School in Palanga, Lithuania, hosted at the Hotel Gabija during the prestigious 27th International Conference-School “Advanced Materials and Technologies”. The event was organized by the consortium partner Riga Technical University (Latvia), led by Dr. Kaspars Traskovskis.
PhD students, young researchers, and representatives of partner institutions from across Europe actively participated in the school. Among them was the team of Lviv Polytechnic National University (LPNU, Ukraine), the coordinator of the HELIOS project, which made a significant contribution to the programme. For many participants, this was a unique opportunity to combine attendance at a high-level international conference with practical training focused on developing essential scientific and communication skills.
A Focus on Scientific Communication
The Summer School included two highly interactive training modules, integrated into the conference agenda and designed to equip PhD students and early-career researchers with essential communication skills:
Module 1: How to Write a Scientific Paper
Delivered by Prof. Peter Skabara (University of Glasgow), this training went far beyond a simple lecture. Drawing on his experience of publishing over 230 peer-reviewed papers in organic electronic and photonic materials, Prof. Skabara provided a step-by-step guide to writing impactful scientific articles.
Participants explored the IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion), with real-world examples of how to frame a strong research question, highlight key findings, and build a clear scientific narrative. Prof. Skabara also offered practical advice on choosing the right journal, understanding editorial requirements, and preparing manuscripts that stand out to reviewers.
The training particularly resonated with PhD students, who asked questions about handling reviewer comments and strategies for avoiding common pitfalls like excessive jargon or incomplete referencing. Through open discussion, participants learned not only the formal rules of scientific writing but also the mindset needed to communicate with clarity and confidence.
Module 2: How to Make a Scientific Presentation
The second module was delivered by Dr. Audrius Bučinskas (Kaunas University of Technology), who combined his academic and industry experience to train participants in presentation skills.
The session began with guidance on structuring talks: from crafting a concise introduction to presenting key findings and building to a memorable conclusion. Dr. Bučinskas emphasized the importance of tailoring the level of detail to the audience, an especially relevant point given the diversity of participants at international conferences.
PhD students were then introduced to techniques for designing effective slides – balancing text, visuals, and data so as to engage, not overwhelm, listeners. Several participants shared their own slides for discussion, leading to lively peer-to-peer feedback.
Perhaps the most valuable element was the focus on delivery and engagement: voice modulation, maintaining eye contact, and strategies for overcoming nervousness during Q&A sessions. Dr. Bučinskas encouraged participants to view presentations not just as a duty but as an opportunity to tell the story of their research.
Reflecting on the outcomes, Dr. Kaspars Traskovskis, organizer of the Summer School and representative of Riga Technical University, emphasized:
“Our goal was to build an environment where young researchers feel encouraged to share their ideas, gain practical skills, and strengthen international ties. The Summer School in Palanga demonstrated how cooperation between countries can pave the way for true scientific breakthroughs.”
Building an Inspiring Learning Environment
Beyond the lectures and workshops, the programme featured a working dinner on 27 August and a final session of discussions and closing remarks on 29 August, encouraging networking and collaboration among participants.
An important part of the programme was the Steering Committee meeting of the HELIOS consortium, where partners from Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and United Kingdom, discussed the project’s progress, upcoming milestones, and future joint activities to ensure the project’s continued success.
The HELIOS Summer School in Palanga marked a milestone in the project’s dissemination and training programme. It not only strengthened cooperation within the consortium but also provided young scientists with valuable tools for advancing their academic and professional development.
Professor Iryna Yaremchuk, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at Lviv Polytechnic National University and Coordinator of the HELIOS project, added:
“Such events prove the strength of our consortium and the importance of international partnership. They show how Lviv Polytechnic contributes to preparing a new generation of researchers in Ukraine and beyond, empowering them to drive innovation and address global challenges in materials science and optoelectronics.”
The HELIOS consortium remains committed to supporting excellence in research and communication, ensuring that the next generation of scientists is well-prepared to tackle global challenges in materials science and optoelectronics.
From 25–29 August 2025, the Horizon Europe HELIOS project held its Summer School in Palanga, Lithuania, hosted at the Hotel Gabija during the prestigious 27th International Conference-School “Advanced Materials and Technologies”. The event was organized by the consortium partner Riga Technical University (Latvia), led by Dr. Kaspars Traskovskis.
PhD students, young researchers, and representatives of partner institutions from across Europe actively participated in the school. Among them was the team of Lviv Polytechnic National University (LPNU, Ukraine), the coordinator of the HELIOS project, which made a significant contribution to the programme. For many participants, this was a unique opportunity to combine attendance at a high-level international conference with practical training focused on developing essential scientific and communication skills.
A Focus on Scientific Communication
The Summer School included two highly interactive training modules, integrated into the conference agenda and designed to equip PhD students and early-career researchers with essential communication skills:
Module 1: How to Write a Scientific Paper
Delivered by Prof. Peter Skabara (University of Glasgow), this training went far beyond a simple lecture. Drawing on his experience of publishing over 230 peer-reviewed papers in organic electronic and photonic materials, Prof. Skabara provided a step-by-step guide to writing impactful scientific articles.
Participants explored the IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion), with real-world examples of how to frame a strong research question, highlight key findings, and build a clear scientific narrative. Prof. Skabara also offered practical advice on choosing the right journal, understanding editorial requirements, and preparing manuscripts that stand out to reviewers.
The training particularly resonated with PhD students, who asked questions about handling reviewer comments and strategies for avoiding common pitfalls like excessive jargon or incomplete referencing. Through open discussion, participants learned not only the formal rules of scientific writing but also the mindset needed to communicate with clarity and confidence.
Module 2: How to Make a Scientific Presentation
The second module was delivered by Dr. Audrius Bučinskas (Kaunas University of Technology), who combined his academic and industry experience to train participants in presentation skills.
The session began with guidance on structuring talks: from crafting a concise introduction to presenting key findings and building to a memorable conclusion. Dr. Bučinskas emphasized the importance of tailoring the level of detail to the audience, an especially relevant point given the diversity of participants at international conferences.
PhD students were then introduced to techniques for designing effective slides – balancing text, visuals, and data so as to engage, not overwhelm, listeners. Several participants shared their own slides for discussion, leading to lively peer-to-peer feedback.
Perhaps the most valuable element was the focus on delivery and engagement: voice modulation, maintaining eye contact, and strategies for overcoming nervousness during Q&A sessions. Dr. Bučinskas encouraged participants to view presentations not just as a duty but as an opportunity to tell the story of their research.
Building an Inspiring Learning Environment
Beyond the lectures and workshops, the programme featured a working dinner on 27 August and a final session of discussions and closing remarks on 29 August, encouraging networking and collaboration among participants.
An important part of the programme was the Steering Committee meeting of the HELIOS consortium, where partners from Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and United Kingdom, discussed the project’s progress, upcoming milestones, and future joint activities to ensure the project’s continued success.
The HELIOS Summer School in Palanga marked a milestone in the project’s dissemination and training programme. It not only strengthened cooperation within the consortium but also provided young scientists with valuable tools for advancing their academic and professional development.
The HELIOS consortium remains committed to supporting excellence in research and communication, ensuring that the next generation of scientists is well-prepared to tackle global challenges in materials science and optoelectronics.
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