Sustainable Reality
UCL HPC/AI Showcase
Building Futures in HPC & AI
Bringing hands-on HPC and AI experiences directly to UCL.
Our one-day event introduces students, educators, and researchers to the technologies, skills, and communities behind modern high-performance computing and AI.
- Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Location: 118 Marshgate (UCL East)
We bring the equipment, activities, and expertise. You bring your curiosity (and a laptop!)
What Happens at Sustainable Reality?
Explore Real HPC Equipment
Get hands-on with the components and infrastructure used to build and operate modern HPC and AI systems.
Take Part in Mini-Challenges
Work in small teams to design a computing system while balancing budget, power, storage, networking, and performance.
Discover Skills and Career Pathways
Explore the technical and non-technical roles that support HPC and AI, and learn how different skills contribute to the wider research computing community.
Connect with the Community
Meet researchers, practitioners, educators, Student Cluster Challenge alumni, and others working across the HPC ecosystem.
Who is it for?
Sustainable Reality is open to anyone interested in supercomputing, research computing, or AI infrastructure. No previous HPC experience is required.
Our event offers attendees two potential outcomes:
- The opportunity to meet potential teammates and explore forming or joining a UCL team for the CIUK Student Cluster Challenge, taking place from October to December 2026.
- A Supercomputing Foundations Certificate, recognising the learning objectives achieved during the event.
Why Participate?
Gain Practical Experience
Move beyond theory and work directly with systems, components, and real-world infrastructure challenges.
Develop Transferable Skills
Practise teamwork, communication, resource management, decision-making, and problem-solving under time constraints.
Explore Future Opportunities
Learn more about the CIUK Student Cluster Challenge, research computing careers, student activities, and other ways to continue developing your skills.
Meet People with Similar Interests
Connect with fellow students, researchers, mentors, and members of the wider HPC and AI community.
Discover Where You Fit
You do not need to be a systems expert to contribute to HPC. The field also needs people with skills across hardware, software, research, business and community.
What will I learn?
During the event, participants will:
- Develop an understanding of the main components and requirements of a supercomputing system.
- Gain hands-on experience with real computing hardware and infrastructure.
- Work collaboratively in small teams to tackle technical and operational challenges.
- Explore how computing resources are allocated and managed within a cluster environment.
- Apply problem-solving and decision-making skills under realistic time constraints.
What do I need to bring?
Please bring:
- A laptop.
- Your laptop charger or power supply.
- Your curiosity and willingness to take part.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Please include any dietary or accessibility requirements when registering so that we can make the day as welcoming and inclusive as possible.
Registration and Agenda
The full UCL agenda will be published soon.
In the meantime, you can read our frequently asked questions or register to attend.