University of Glasgow - University events - Conferences - SM2Q2026 & 1st Glasgow Quantum Summit

Glasgow Quantum & Nano Week 2026

SM2Q-2025 Conference Group Photos

About the SM2Q conference

The International Conference on Superconductor Materials and Metamaterials for Quantum Hardware (SM²Q) is a new global conference series dedicated to advancing the foundations of quantum technology. The series is designed to unite researchers, engineers, industry partners, and policy makers working at the intersection of (meta) materials science, circuit design, device engineering, and quantum hardware applications. With a strong emphasis on superconducting materials and metamaterials, SM²Q provides a forum to accelerate progress in quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing by bridging fundamental advances with scalable hardware solutions.
The SM²Q-2026 will be held alongside the 1st Glasgow Quantum Summit, and take place on 2-4^th December 2026 in the Glasgow University Union, 32 University Avenue, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. By gathering international contributors in one of the UK’s leading centres for quantum research, the event aims to inspire new ideas and partnerships that will advance quantum hardware. Alongside technical sessions, the programme will highlight industrial perspectives and supply chain considerations, making SM²Q-2026 a comprehensive meeting point for academia and industry alike.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Quantum computing, qubits, Josephson junctions, quantum circuits, and components
• Superconducting electronics, SFQs, transistors, parametric amplifiers, photon sources, SQUIDs, filters, and diodes
• Superconducting metamaterials and novel circuit architectures
• Superconducting photonics, modulators, detectors and SNSPD sensors
• Hybrid superconducting circuits and quantum interconnects
• Quantum communications and hybrid quantum interconnects
• Superconductor–semiconductor devices and interfaces
• Advanced superconductors: nitride-based, high-temperature, 2D, layered, and topological systems
• Modelling, simulation, and design of cryogenic electronic devices and circuits
• Materials growth, fabrication, and characterisation for quantum hardware
• Industrial perspectives: sustainability, advanced superconductor supply chain and scalable technologies

We are delighted to warmly welcome all participants to the SM²Q in Glasgow. Glasgow, as one of the UK’s leading centres for quantum research, provides the ideal setting for this inaugural meeting. Beyond the technical sessions, which span materials science, device engineering, and scalable quantum hardware, we hope you will enjoy the city’s vibrant cultural heritage and its dynamic innovation ecosystem. Together, we look forward to inspiring new ideas, promoting collaborations, and shaping the future of superconducting and cryogenic quantum technologies.

SM²Q Conference Chair

Kaveh Delfanazari

About the Glasgow Quantum Summit

The 1st Glasgow Quantum Summit

Held alongside SM²Q-2026, the 1st Glasgow Quantum Summit will bring together the wider quantum science and technology community to explore the future of quantum innovation, from fundamental discoveries to industrial deployment. By creating a shared forum for researchers, engineers, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and students, the Summit aims to strengthen collaborations across the UK’s rapidly expanding quantum ecosystem and its international partners. The co-location with SM²Q-2026 provides a unique opportunity to connect advances in superconducting materials, devices, circuits, and systems with the broader challenges and opportunities across quantum computing, communications, sensing, networking, and enabling technologies.

The Summit will showcase the latest developments across the full quantum technology landscape, highlighting interdisciplinary research, emerging technologies, commercialisation pathways, and national and international initiatives. Sessions will feature invited keynote lectures from internationally recognised leaders, panel discussions on future quantum strategies, industrial perspectives, early-career researcher presentations, and networking activities designed to stimulate new collaborations and accelerate technology translation.

As one of the UK’s leading centres for quantum research, the University of Glasgow provides an ideal venue for this inaugural event. The Summit will celebrate Glasgow’s internationally recognised strengths in quantum technologies while providing a platform to discuss the scientific, engineering, educational, and societal challenges that will shape the next generation of quantum systems.

Summit Themes

The Glasgow Quantum Summit will include, but is not limited to, the following themes:

Quantum computing and scalable quantum hardware
Quantum communications, networking and the quantum internet
Quantum sensing, imaging and metrology
Quantum and nano materials, metamaterials, nanostructures, including quantum dots, nanowires, 2DEG, graphene, topological insulator and advanced materials
Cryogenic electronics and control systems
Quantum software, algorithms and error correction
Quantum photonics and integrated quantum platforms
Artificial intelligence for quantum technologies
Quantum standards, benchmarking and certification
Industrial translation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship
Quantum skills, education and workforce development
National and international quantum strategies and future research directions

Whether you are a researcher developing next-generation quantum devices, an engineer building scalable quantum systems, an industrial innovator exploring commercial opportunities, or a student entering this exciting field, the Glasgow Quantum Summit offers an outstanding opportunity to exchange ideas, establish collaborations, and contribute to shaping the future of quantum technologies.

We look forward to welcoming you to Glasgow in December 2026 for three days of inspiring science, engineering, innovation, and international collaboration at the 1st Glasgow Quantum Summit and SM²Q-2026.

About the Quantum and Nano Technologies Winter School

Quantum and Nano Technologies Winter School

The Quantum, and Nano Technologies Winter School is a dedicated educational programme held as part of SM²Q-2026 and the 1st Glasgow Quantum Summit. Designed primarily for undergraduate students, while remaining accessible to learners at all levels, the Winter School aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by introducing them to the exciting fields of quantum science, nanotechnology, and other emerging technologies that are shaping our future.

Hosted by the University of Glasgow, the programme will provide an accessible introduction to the fundamental concepts, experimental techniques and real-world applications of modern quantum and nanoscale engineering. Through lectures, demonstrations, laboratory visits, interactive discussions and networking sessions, students will gain first-hand exposure to internationally leading research and learn how discoveries made in university laboratories are translated into future technologies.

A central theme of the Winter School is research-led learning, bringing together internationally recognised researchers from academia and industry to showcase how fundamental science drives innovation in computing, communications, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and beyond.

Topics will include

Quantum mechanics for engineers and scientists
Quantum computing and superconducting circuits
Quantum communications and the future Quantum Internet
Quantum sensing and precision measurement
Nanotechnology and nanoscale engineering
Metamaterials and engineered electromagnetic materials
Nanophotonics and integrated photonic systems
Graphene and other two-dimensional (2D) materials
Two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) and semiconductor nanostructures
Topological materials and topological insulators
Semiconductor quantum devices
Superconductors and cryogenic technologies
Terahertz science and technologies
Advanced electronic and photonic materials
Quantum materials for next-generation devices
Artificial intelligence for scientific discovery and engineering
Emerging technologies and future engineering challenges

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend selected keynote lectures, industrial talks, poster sessions and exhibitions organised as part of SM²Q-2026 and the 1st Glasgow Quantum Summit, allowing them to interact directly with world-leading researchers, engineers and industrial innovators.

The Winter School is intended to broaden horizons, stimulate curiosity and help students explore future careers in research, industry and entrepreneurship. Whether participants are considering postgraduate study, pursuing a career in high-technology industries or simply wishing to learn about some of today’s most exciting scientific advances, the programme offers an inspiring introduction to the rapidly evolving fields of quantum science, nanotechnology and emerging engineering technologies.

We warmly welcome undergraduate students from universities across the UK and internationally to join us in Glasgow for this exciting educational event.