SUM4Products Study Groups
About our Study Groups
Our Study Groups enable academics to come together in a short, intensive workshop format to work directly with industry partners on specific problems.
Study groups are week-long events where academic members of the network use mathematical techniques to address pressing challenges that are posed by industry partners. These events are based on European Study Groups with Industry, which are internationally recognised for being a cost-effective means of making real progress on current challenges in just a few days.
Work that will be completed as part of the Study Group can form the basis of further research. To support ongoing impact, the SUM4Products Study Group will be followed by a Research Project Scheme funding call. Attendees will be able to apply for three months of funding to continue and expand on research conducted during the Study Group.
Format of a Study Group
-
On the first day of the workshop, each organisation presents their technical challenges (there are normally between 4-6 organisations presenting challenges)
-
The mathematical scientists then split into groups, and for the next three days work closely with each external partner representative to brainstorm ideas, model scenarios, and problem solve
-
On the final day, each group presents their progress and recommended routes forward
-
After the meeting, appropriate deliverables from the week will be made available to the organisation; traditionally this has been a technical report summarising the week’s work (see Mathematics in Industry Reports for examples of reports from other Study Groups, browsable by sector and partner)
Study Group problems and outputs
A group of 30 researchers from over 10 Universities across the UK tackled problems presented by PepsiCo, Mondelez and Afton Chemical at our 2026 Study Group. Outcomes and reports will be populated below in June.
Take part in our next Study Group
Our next Study Group will be held in April 2027.
Information for industry partners
Organisations of any size or sector are invited to present challenges and benefit from a mathematical approach to developing practical solutions. Challenges are prepared in close collaboration with the organising committee. If you are interested in discussing a Study Group problem, please email us.
There is a fee of £10,000 + VAT to bring a problem to the Study Group, which helps to cover the costs associated with the meeting. SUM4Products is committed to lowering barriers to participation to enable collaboration with as wide a range of organisations as possible; there is scope to reduce costs for SMEs, charities or other similar organisations.
Please note that the opportunity to present at one or more Study Groups is included for SUM4Products Gold and Silver Partner organisations. Find out more about how to join as a member.
Information for academic participants
We welcome mathematical scientists to participate in our Study Group with expertise in, for example, statistical modelling, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and data science.
Academic staff, research fellows and PhD students are invited to participate in the workshop and come up with new ideas and potential solutions for real challenges. Please note that in-person attendance is required for all academic participants. There is no charge to attend; meals are provided and there is limited accommodation available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration for our next Study Group will open in Autumn 2026.
Confidentiality
At SUM4Products Study Groups and triaging workshops, industry partners present current challenges to academic members of the network. These events are open to all academic members of the network. Given the open nature of these events, it is not possible to ask participants to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in advance of, or during, any events. However, any follow-up work, such as work funded by the SUM4Products short projects with a defined project team, can be carried out under an NDA if needed.
If you have questions about data sharing and confidentiality, please contact the SUM4Products team.
Code of Conduct
The SUM4Products Network+ and partner universities are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community for all. We expect cooperation and support from all participants to help ensure an environment where everyone is treated fairly and where diversity is valued. Participants would be expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct throughout their engagement with the Study Group.
Photos from our 2026 Study Group
Practical information from 2026 (archived)
-
10.00am: Arrival refreshments - Room G29, Y3 Building
11.00am: Welcome 11.15am: Mondelez problem presentation
11.45am: PepsiCo problem presentation
12.15pm: Lunch
1.15pm: Afton problem presentation
1.45pm: Group forming and problem solving
3.00pm: Afternoon refreshments
3.30pm: Group problem solving
5.00pm: Adjourn (residential participants can check into their accommodation by going to Edgbaston Park Hotel)
7.00pm: Dinner at Dilshad Restaurant -
9.00am: Group problem solving
10.30am: Morning refreshments
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Group problem solving
3.00pm: Afternoon refreshments
3.30pm: Group problem solving
5.00pm: Adjourn
6.00pm: Dinner at Ristorante Caffe Arena -
9.00am: Group problem solving
10.30am: Morning refreshments
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Group problem solving
3.00pm: Afternoon refreshments
3.30pm: Group problem solving
4.30pm: Group catch up session 5.00pm: Adjourn
6.00pm: Dinner at Ming Moon Buffet -
9.00am: Group problem solving
10.30am: Morning refreshments
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Group problem solving
3.00pm: Afternoon refreshments
3.30pm: Group problem solving
5.00pm: Adjourn
5.30pm: Pizza and drinks at University of Birmingham Physics Bridge space, Watson Building -
9.30am: Final group working session
10.30am: Morning refreshments
10.50am: Group presentations, summary and next steps
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Depart
Schedule
We will be based at Building Y3 (Old School of Engineering / Mechanical and Civil Engineering Building) throughout the week. Navigate to the exact building through Google Maps or look at the University’s Campus Map.
Meals
All participants will be provided with lunch, snacks and refreshments throughout each day of the Study Group. Dietary restrictions which have been mentioned on the registration form will be catered for for all meals.
For participants who are staying in Peter Scott House, breakfast is served at the nearby Edgbaston Park Hotel from 7am.
-
Evening meals will accommodate for all dietary reequirements that have been declared. Food is paid for and covered by SUM4Products, and individuals can pay for their own drinks separately.
Monday 20th April: 7.00pm at Dilshad Indian Restaurant
Dilshad is on the main street of the Selly Oak area. There are a few supermarkets on the street should you wish to get supplies before or after the meal. Non-alcoholic drinks are served at the restaurant but you are welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks should you wish to. There will be starters and sides to share- vegetarians and anyone with dietary requirements will be catered for and asked to sit together.
Tuesday 21st April: 6.00pm at Ristorante Caffe Arena (Italian)
Ristorante Caffe Arena is based in the Brindleyplace area of Birmingham’s city centre, where there are many places to eat and drink along the city’s canals. The closest train station is Five Ways, which is one stop from the University train station.
In order to attend the meal, please pre-order your food.
If you’d like to see more of Birmingham city centre after dinner, you could go through Symphony Hall, past the Library of Birmingham and down New Street before catching a train or bus back to campus.
Wednesday 22nd April: 6.00pm at Ming Moon Buffet
Ming Moon is a short walk from New Street station (under 5 minutes) and is part of Birmingham Chinatown. A private room has been booked. Anyone with dietary requirements can refer to their allergen menu.
Thursday 23rd April: Takeaway pizza and drinks at the Physics Bridge social space, Watson Building, University of Birmingham
Takeaway pizza will be served in the Physics Bridge space, which also has room for collabortion and further group working. Some drinks will be provided but you may also wish to bring your own.
-
For all guests who requested accommodation, room availability will have been confirmed to you when your space at the Study Group was confirmed. Should you require accommodation but have not previously requested it, please contact sum4products@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Check-in is available from 3.00pm on the day of arrival. Go to the reception at Edgbaston Park Hotel in order to collect your key.
Participants will be housed in single, ensuite rooms at Peter Scott House, which is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Study Group location. There is also a bus route which takes you to the University train station, which shortens the walk slightly.
-
Details of the Whatsapp Community for the Study Group have been shared in an email with all participants. Do join to receive practical updates; there will also be spin-out groups for each industry problem within the larger group.
Useful contacts
In case of emergency, always call 101 or 999 first. Should you need further assistance, use the below contact details.
Peter Scott House: Call the Edgbaston Park Hotel reception on 0121 414 8888 (available 24 hours)
University of Birmingham: Call Security on 0121 414 4444 (available 24 hours)
SUM4Products: Email sum4products@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Practical information
-
Travelling to and from campus
From New Street or Moor Street station and Digbeth Coach station, there are easy buses and trains to reach the University- Google Maps has the most up to date information about train/bus times and bus stops. Y3 is a short walk from the University train station, where many of the buses also stop.
Bus routes
From the University, there are buses every 10 minutes or so to the city centre (they stop outside the University train station, and on the main road by Peter Scott House). You can use contactless to tap on or cash. If you are travelling in a group, 5 people can buy one group day ticket for £9.20, which allows for multiple trips and is quite a big saving.
Trains
Train tickets can be bought on the usual apps or at the station (you cannot tap on and off). A return ticket to and from New Street £3.60 (or cheaper with a rail card).
Other forms of transport
Uber and Bolt are available in Birmingham and tend to offer the fastest response amongst ride-sharing apps.
-
If you requested for travel or other expenses to be reimbursed, we will have confirmed the amount you can claim back. Please remember to keep and attach receipts to your return and send claims to sum4products@contacts.bham.ac.uk after the end of the Study Group.
Download the ‘non-staff expense claim form’ from the University of Birmingham’s non-staff expenses page.
Complete the personal and bank account details sections
Under the ‘Expense Items’ section, itemise the claims under the ‘Research project use only’ header, using the expense description, receipt currency, amount and reimbursement amount columns. There’s no need to fill out the middle columns (i.e. project number, task number, expenditure type and organisation).
Sign and date under ‘claimant name’ and return the form, along with attachments of your receipts, to sum4products@contacts.bham.ac.uk.