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Training School on

Topological Textures: theory and mathematical analysis, simulation and experiment

11-14 May 2026, Zagreb, Croatia

Organisers

Local Organisers

Training School Questionnaire

All participants of the POLYTOPO Training School are kindly asked to complete the short questionnaire below. Your feedback will help us evaluate the training school and improve the organisation of future POLYTOPO activities.

Complete the questionnairey now
Deadlines

Trainers

Michael Sigal
Michael Sigal
University of Toronto, Canada
Quantum vortices
and vortex lattices
Lectures 1-2: Abelian gauge theories and equivariant states Lecture 3: The Ginzburg-Landau Equations
Ivan Smalyukh
Ivan Smalyukh
Uni. of Colorado at Boulder, USA
&
WPI-SKCM2 at Hiroshima Uni., Japan
Topological solitons and knotted vortices in soft matter and magnetic solids
Lecture 1: Topological solitons and knotted vortices in soft matter and magnetic solids Lecture 2: Order parameter spaces, homotopy theory & classification of defects in LCs Lecture 3: Entanglement & dynamics of LC vortices Lecture 4: Chirality-enabled knot solitons and knotted vortices as topological metaatoms
Gareth Alexander
Gareth Alexander
University of Warwick, U.K.
Geometric topology and textures in soft matter
Lecture 1. Textures in the plane Lecture 2. Escape from the plane Lecture 3. Hopfions and chiral topology
Douglas Lundholm
Douglas Lundholm
Uppsala University, Sweden
Mathematics of the 2D anyon gas
1. Quantum statistics & transmutation
2. Local exclusion & stability for ideal anyons
3. The almost-bosonic, extended, interacting anyon gas
4. Nonabelian anyons & topological quantum computing
All lectures: Mathematics of the 2D anyon gas
Trainers

Scope

The School will consider topological textures across a wide range of physical systems, including band structures, skyrmions, knots and links, and related phenomena. The scientific programme will focus on their physical and mathematical descriptions and associated applications, with an emphasis on theoretical, computational, and mathematical approaches, informed by experiment and technology.
The aim of the School is to disseminate knowledge on topological textures and to train researchers by providing broad perspectives on theoretical, mathematical, computational, and experimental research.

Target Groups

The primary target group consists of early-career researchers and young innovators, in particular doctoral candidates, research-oriented MSc students, and postdoctoral researchers. A secondary group includes more advanced researchers, especially from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs), who wish to broaden their research interests towards the School’s topics. Participation from a wide range of research fields related to the main theme of the School is welcomed, with priority given to members of the Polytopo network.

Scope

Program

The program consists of a series of lectures related to the study of models for topological textures:
(a) Mathematical methods,
(b) Theoretical physics methods,
(c) Computational methods.

Program

Meeting Venue

The training school will be held at the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI).
 Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

The Institute is easily accessible by bus from a stop near the main square, Kaptol, where the Cathedral is located.

You can take bus 106, 201, 226, or 238 to “Institut Ruđer Bošković”. Choose a Zone 1, 30-minute ticket; the fare is €0.53 each way.

Digital tickets can be purchased in the vehicle either by NFC or by scanning a QR code, using the Moj ZET application. This is the official city transport app; we provide the link for information only.

Detailed information on Zagreb public transport routes and schedules can be found here.

Venues

Important notes

  • Registration Fee

    There is no registration fee. Participation includes access to all sessions and coffee breaks.

  • Personal Arrangements

    Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation. We recommend booking well in advance.

  • Entry Requirements

    Participants should independently ensure they meet entry requirements for Croatia. For general European Union entry guidelines, visit this link. 

  • Budget Allocation

    The available budget will be allocated in accordance with the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy.

  • Notification of Support

    Decisions regarding COST support will be communicated to participants well in advance of the meeting to allow sufficient time for travel arrangements.

  • Travel Reimbursement

    Trainees may apply for long-distance travel reimbursement and for a daily allowance (DA) of ~€110, as set by the Management Committee.
    Did you receive an invitation through e-COST to participate in the Training School on May 11-14 in Zagreb? Does your invitation indicate that you are eligible for financial support? Read here the procedure to follow!

Accommodation Scam Warning

We have been informed of unauthorised emails sent to invited speakers and potential participants, offering to arrange accommodation for POLYTOPO events.
Please note that the POLYTOPO COST Action and the local organisers do NOT collaborate with any housing, travel, or accommodation companies, and no third party is authorised to contact participants on our behalf regarding hotel bookings.
All participants are solely responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
If you receive emails offering hotel reservations, or asking you to confirm accommodation for a POLYTOPO event, please treat them as scam attempts and do not reply.

Important notes