Machine Learning of Wearables in Large Scale Biomedical Studies



Overview

Join us at Jesus College, Oxford for an immersive post-graduate short course on machine learning of wearables in large scale biomedical studies. This course aims to connect post-graduate and post-doctoral researchers from academia and industry with experts at Oxford's Big Data Institute and Nuffield Department of Population Health.

Our friendly tutors, internationally recognised for their scientific expertise, will offer specialist instruction and hands-on practicals across five broad areas at the intersection of wearables, machine learning, and health data science: real world validation, time-series machine learning, and hands-on epidemiological analysis in a large dataset.

The course is aimed at trainee scientists actively engaged in health data science research, who wish to expand their knowledge of concepts and techniques.

Programme details

The course will include:

  • Daily lectures providing broad context and conceptual insights into key issues
  • Interactive computer sessions for consolidating conceptual knowledge with practical skills
  • Opportunities for one-to-one interactions with leading Oxford academics
  • A relaxed small-group atmosphere in beautiful Oxford
  • Dining and en suite accommodation at Jesus College
  • Refreshments served during teaching breaks
  • Welcome drinks reception and dinner and farewell gala dinner

The venue

Located in the historic heart of Oxford, just a few minutes’ walk from the University’s libraries, science campus and humanities buildings, and with shops and restaurants on the doorstep, Jesus College combines the highest standards of academic excellence in teaching and research with a vibrant, inclusive and supportive community.

The College was founded in 1571 by Queen Elizabeth I, at the request of a Welsh lawyer and clergyman called Hugh Price, and the beautiful Dining Hall, Chapel, and Principal’s Lodgings are still used for their original purposes today. The historic Fellows’ Library houses a collection of early printed books, and the stunning quadrangles provide an oasis of green, bustling with life in the summer months.

Timetable

Please see an example of the previous course timetable. The day-by-day breakdown is as follows:

Sunday 20 September

Arrival at Jesus College, with registration in the afternoon, followed by an opening reception and dinner in the evening in the friendly and relaxed dining hall.

Monday 21 September

Real world validation, including an overview of wearables in health data science, how to setup devices, and pratical considerations of collecting sensor data in thousands of people.

Tuesday 22 September

Time-series machine learning, accelerometer data cleaning, including an overview on opportunities to integrate new wearables in large biomedical studies.

Wednesday 23 September

Using open datasets for human activity recognition, open models for self-supervised learning, and their application to physical activity and sleep measurement.

Thursday 24 September

Associate sensor measurements with health outcomes in an epidemiological dataset, including parallel computing of wearable phenotypes, and relevant epidemiological considerations. 

We will have a closing drinks reception and a Gala Farewell Dinner on the Thursday evening.

Friday 25 September

Identify opportunities to transfer course learnings to other biomedical challenges including multimodal sensor data and the discovery of digital biomarkers. 

Course Director and Tutors

Professor Aiden Doherty, Course Director

University of Oxford, Big Data Institute - Biography

Dr Ben Maylor, Deputy Director

University of Oxford - Biography 

The course will feature presentations from a range of speakers from Oxford and beyond. Last year’s speakers included:

Professor Derrick Bennett 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Professor Will Dixon 

Univeristy of Manchester - Biography 

Professor Richard Dobson

University College London - Biography

Professor Barbara Jefferis 

University College London - Biography 

Professor Laurent Servais 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Professor Lord (Lionel) Tarassenko

University of Oxford - Biography

Dr Laura Brocklebank 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Dr Shing Chan 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Dr Adam Huffman 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Dr Tatiana Plekhanova 

University of Oxford 

Dr Stefan van Duivjvenboden 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Dr Hang Yuan 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Aidan Acquah 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Abram Schonfeldt 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Charilaos Zisou 

University of Oxford - Biography 

Digital Certification

Certificate of Attendance

At the end of the course you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Digital badge

You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
All tuition, en suite room & full board £2250.00
Non-residential fee: includes all tuition, lunches and dinners £1650.00

Payment

Residential Programme Fees - £2,250

The fees will include:

  • All tuition
  • Full social programme 
  • Accommodation in a single en suite room in Jesus College, with private shower and toilet for the nights of Sunday 20 September to Thursday 24 September inclusive;
  • All meals in College starting with an opening drinks reception and dinner on Sunday 20 September, and then breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week and ending with lunch on Friday 25 September 2026.
  • Weekday morning tea/coffee and biscuits

Please note the course ends at lunchtime on Friday 26 September, so residential participants will have accommodation for the night of Thursday 24 September and then will need to vacate their room on Friday 25 September.

Non-Residential Programme Fees - £1,650

The fees will include:

  • All tuition
  • Full social programme
  • Meals in College starting with an opening drinks reception and dinner on Sunday 20 September, and then lunch and dinner during the week and ending with lunch on Friday 25 September 2026.
  • Weekday morning tea/coffee and biscuits

Cancellations and refunds

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator by emailing summercourses@conted.ox.ac.uk. Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses for our refund policy.

Please be aware that all payments (and refunds) are subject to exchange rates at the time of processing.

The status of the course will be reviewed on 29 June 2026. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, all participants enrolled on the course will be notified in writing within seven days, and possible options clearly explained.

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Visas 

We regret that we are unable to provide advice on individual visas. Students are advised to consult their closest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission for the most up-to-date advice. Students should also refer to the University's Visa & Immigration team or email student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk

Application

The application deadline for this course is 12:00 BST on 30 July 2026. 

Applicants should send:

  • A completed application form (PDF version available here).
  • A half-page cover letter explaining how they would benefit from attending this course. 
  • A recent CV demonstrating their active engagement in health data science

Applicants who require a UK visa are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for any formal visa applications to be processed. 

Please note that immediately after the deadline is closed, we will be accessing the level of interest in the course. If we decide it is not viable to run the course, participants' fees will be refunded and any other potential options will be provided. You may wish to take out travel insurance in case of any issues with your journey, or if the course may be cancelled.

You can either send the digital version of your completed application or email us a scan of your completed form.

If your invoice is being paid by your institution or employer, we advise you check in advance if they need any specific references or details on the invoice.

Selection criteria

This course is aimed at early career health data scientists as well as post-graduate and post-doctoral researchers, so applicants should have at minimum a bachelors’ degree and be currently engaged in health data research.

If you have any queries about this, please email the course administrator at summercourses@conted.ox.ac.uk

IT requirements

It is expected that participants will bring their own laptops to participate in the computer practicals, although limited spare laptops are available in case of any emergencies.           

To get the most out of this course, we recommend that you are familiar with basic Python and R programming.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support