Particle Physics Masterclass
What is the PPM?
Our annual masterclasses are primarily intended for those students taking modules which include particle physics at ‘A’ or ‘AS’ level but are also open to any physics student or teacher interested in studying or teaching the subject.
The masterclasses consist of a mixture of talks given by PPD researchers on the fundamentals of particle physics and particle accelerators; a computer workshop, where students analyse real LHC data to investigate the Z boson and to find the Higgs boson; and tours of RAL’s scientific facilities, including Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source.
A brief history of the PPM
The first Particle Physics Masterclass at RAL was held in 1998, welcoming 114 students from ten different schools.
Its popularity quickly increased, and by 2000 the event attracted over 200 students. Separate masterclasses were therefore organised over two days to accommodate the growing numbers.
In 2002, a three‑day format was adopted, with around 500 students attending each year for the following ten years.
The 2025 Particle Physics Masterclass welcomed over 800 students across in‑person and online sessions.
Resources
Lecture slides
- A very brief guide to particle accelerators 2025 – Dr Tom Williams
- The Large Hadron Collider (2025) – Dr Alison Elliot
- Fundamentals of Particle Physics 2025 – Dr Emmanuel Olaiya
- Big data at the Large Hadron Collider 2025 – Dr Katy Ellis
Lecture recordings
- Applications of Particle Accelerators (2020) – Prof Rob Edgecock
- The Large Hadron Collider (2023) – Dr Kristian Harder
- Fundamentals of Particle Physics (2023) – Dr Emmanuel Olaiya
- Big Data at the Large Hadron Collider (2023) – Dr Katy Ellis
- A very brief guide to particle accelerators (2023) – Dr Thomas Williams
