AFM & SPM 2026
Leeds, UK

Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24, and Thursday 25 June 2026 with optional practical workshop Monday 22 June 2026.

We’re excited to welcome you to the AFM & SPM 2026 meeting hosted in Leeds. This meeting brings together speakers and participants from around the world, with a focus on cross-method collaboration, international knowledge exchange and developing the next generation of SPM researchers.

Whether your work is in materials science, biology, chemistry, instrumentation, or computation, AFM & SPM 2026 aims to foster dialogue across the full range of scanning probe techniques from AFM and STM to MFM, KPFM, SNOM/NSOM, and beyond.

 

Programme Outline

Monday 22 June
Hands-on training and development (optional)

  • Theory, tips and tricks: short lectures and discussions focused on how to get the most from experiments.
  • Practical workshops: AFM imaging, high-speed imaging, and multi-modal SPM training.
  • Data Analysis workshops: training on various image analysis packages, python-based SPM analysis, and an introduction to machine learning methods

Where possible sessions will run in parallel, allowing for small group sizes and for participants to tailor the day to their interests and expertise.

Tuesday 23 June, Wednesday 24 June, and Thursday 25 June 
AFM & SPM 2026 Conference 

  • 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

Join us in Leeds for AFM & SPM 2026, an opportunity to connect with a vibrant, international community and explore the evolving landscape of scanning probe microscopy.

Who Should Attend
This meeting welcomes:

  • PhD students and early career researchers
  • Academic and industrial users of SPM
  • Developers of instrumentation and software
  • Scientists from materials science, biophysics, nanotech, and beyond
  • Panel discussions on the future of the field

Banner image: Peptide Snowflakes by Christian Bortolini (National Physical Laboratory) – Winner, 2025 MMC AFM & SPM Image Competition. 

 

Scientific Organisers

George Heath

George Heath

University of Leeds

Lekshmi Kailas

Lekshmi Kailas

University of Leeds

Kristina Rusimova

Kristina Rusimova

University of Bath

Samuel Jarvis

Samuel Jarvis

Lancaster University

RMS Organisers

Jess Cole

Jess Cole

Event Organiser