AFM & SPM 2026 – Advances in Molecular and Multiscale Analysis
Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24, and Thursday 25 June 2026
Leeds, UK
We are delighted to announce that AFM & SPM 2026 will take place in person in Leeds at the crossroads of physical sciences, life sciences, and advanced instrumentation. As the UK’s flagship meeting for the scanning probe community, this conference unites researchers pioneering atomic force microscopy (AFM) and related scanning probe techniques across diverse disciplines.
Programme Outline
- Tuesday 23 June – Applications in Biology, Biopharma & Beyond
Focused on the role of AFM and scanning probe methods in biological research, pharmaceutical development, and biomolecular studies. Open to anyone curious about applying nanoscale techniques in life science and pharma-related areas. - Wednesday 24 June – Materials Innovation & Scanning Probe Technologies
A dedicated day exploring cutting-edge scanning probe microscopies including AFM, STM, PFM, and more, applied to materials science, nanotechnology, polymers, and energy research. This session highlights the latest advances in nanoscale characterization, multifunctional materials, surface engineering, and device development. Open to researchers and industry professionals from materials science, and related industrial sectors looking to connect fundamental science with practical applications. - Thursday 25 June – Future of AFM/SPM
A forward-looking day focused on instrumentation advances, automation, machine learning, multimodal integration, and the emerging frontiers of scanning probe microscopy. This platform brings together method developers, theorists, software engineers, and visionaries shaping the future of the field.
Event Features
- Invited and contributed talks
- Poster and flash presentation sessions
- Interactive “Techno Bites” showcasing methods and tools
- Instrument exhibitions and live demonstrations
- Networking and social events
- Panel discussions on the future of the field
Who should attend?
This event welcomes a broad audience including:
- PhD students and early career researchers
- Academic and industrial users of scanning probe techniques
- Developers of instrumentation and software
- Scientists from pharma, biotech, materials science, nanotechnology, and beyond
AFM & SPM 2026 will be a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and forward-thinking meeting, a must-attend for anyone working with, or curious about, scanning probe microscopy and its expanding impact.
When available, please see the information tab for location and practical details. Registration for this meeting will open Autumn 2025.
Scientific Organisers
George Heath
George is a University Academic Fellow at the University of Leeds, appointed across the School of Physics & Astronomy and the School of Biomedical Sciences. His current research group focuses on developing High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy methods to study the structural dynamics of single biomolecules. Before starting his group, he held a postdoctoral position in New York with Prof. Simon Scheuring at Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University. George obtained his PhD in Physics from the University of Leeds in 2015. In 2023, George was awarded an EPSRC Open Fellowship to continue developing AFM methods.
