Hosted by the CosmoCaixa Science Museum of Barcelona, the inaugural Pan-European Quantum Education Summit convened over 300 participants from 34 countries and five continents to address the growing need for coordinated quantum science education. Organized by the Catalonia Quantum Academy (CQA) in collaboration with ICFO, the Quantum Flagship projects DigiQ & QTIndu, and other partners, the December 3–5, 2025 event brought together institutions including UAB, UB, and TU Braunschweig to establish guidelines for quantum physics curricula. Keynote speakers included Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman from Stanford University, alongside Maité Depuis and Eboney Hearn, signifying a milestone in Europe’s rapidly evolving quantum ecosystem.
First Pan-European Focus on Quantum Education
Share Barcelona hosted the first Pan-European—and globally focused—summit dedicated entirely to quantum education, taking place from December 3–5, 2025. More than 300 participants from 34 countries and five continents attended the event at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum. Organized by the Catalonia Quantum Academy (CQA) and partners, the summit aimed to elevate global awareness and accessibility in quantum science education, marking a milestone for Europe’s growing quantum ecosystem in training and education.
The summit’s scope encompassed the entire spectrum of quantum education, from foundational curriculum design to workforce training and inclusive global participation. Keynote speakers included Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman from Stanford University, Maité Depuis of the Perimeter Institute of Canada, and Eboney Hearn from MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science. Presentations and discussions included 41 contributed talks from 16 countries, alongside panel discussions and participation from 100 students and early-career researchers.
A key anticipated outcome was the development of a white paper capturing best practices and insights from speakers. Organizers, including the CQA and ICFO, envisioned this inaugural summit as a recurring international platform to strengthen the quantum education landscape and connect communities worldwide. The summit’s breadth—in topics and participant diversity—positioned it as crucial for shaping the future quantum workforce, aiming to make quantum technologies accessible at all levels of expertise.
Summit Goals: Accessibility and Global Coordination
The Share Barcelona-hosted Quantum Education Summit aimed to elevate global awareness, accessibility, and coordination in quantum science education. Gathering over 300 participants from 34 countries and five continents, the event fostered discussion between diverse actors – from university educators to high-school students – to make quantum knowledge more approachable. This first pan-European and global conference dedicated solely to quantum education reflected a mission to make quantum technologies understandable at all levels of expertise.
A key outcome anticipated from the summit was the creation of a white paper. This document would capture best practices and insights from speakers, aiming to strengthen networks, foster collaborations, and improve educational programs in quantum science. The event’s breadth, encompassing diverse topics and participants, positioned it as a crucial platform for shaping the future quantum workforce, with organizers hoping for a recurring international platform.
The summit prioritized both innovation in education and geographical diversity in speaker selection. Keynote speakers included Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, Maité Depuis from the Perimeter Institute, and Eboney Hearn from MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science. These influential voices offered perspectives on physics education, training, outreach, and community engagement, contributing to the event’s focus on cultivating a diverse pipeline of quantum talent.
Outcomes and Future Roadmap for Quantum Learning
The Quantum Education Summit, hosted in Barcelona December 3–5, 2025, gathered over 300 participants from 34 countries and five continents, marking the first pan-European – and arguably global – conference dedicated entirely to quantum education. Organized by the Catalonia Quantum Academy and several partner institutions, the event aimed to address the growing need for a well-prepared quantum workforce. Sessions spanned introductory outreach to advanced curriculum development, indicating a focus on building a talent pipeline from various levels of expertise.
A key anticipated outcome of the summit was the creation of a white paper. This document would capture best practices and insights from over 20 invited speakers representing 15 countries, as well as contributions from 41 talks and 16 panelists. The intention was to strengthen networks, encourage collaborations, and ultimately improve existing quantum educational programs at regional, European, and global levels, increasing the visibility of the field.
Organizers envisioned the summit as a recurring international platform, hoping to continuously strengthen the quantum education landscape and connect communities worldwide. The breadth of the event—covering topics from foundational curriculum to workforce needs—positioned it as a crucial step in shaping the future quantum workforce. Speakers included Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, Maité Depuis of the Perimeter Institute, and Eboney Hearn from MIT, reflecting a commitment to both innovation and diversity in quantum education.
we hoped that this inaugural summit would grow into a recurring international platform, and that it would allow us to continue strengthening the quantum education landscape and connect communities worldwide.
Robert Sewell
