An inspiring learning experience: insights from the Wolfson Summer School

Ayşim Alpman is a specialist doctor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Istanbul. In this blog, Ayşim shares her experience on attending the Wolfson Centre Summer School 2025 which inspired her to turn ideas into actions.

Last summer, I had the chance to attend the Wolfson Summer School, a programme I came across while scrolling through Instagram. What began as simple curiosity turned into a valuable learning experience.

The three-day programme was both immersive and engaging. I heard from speakers from different professional backgrounds who shared their expertise on children’s mental health research. As a resident in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, I am aware that mental health care cannot be managed by one profession alone. It involves many stakeholders — psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, educators, policymakers, and families. Hearing how each contributes to the wellbeing of children helped me to appreciate more fully the importance of interdisciplinary care.

Beyond the lectures, the summer school also created informal opportunities to connect. The virtual coffee sessions were especially enjoyable, as they allowed me to meet peers from around the world, exchange experiences, and hear about different approaches to mental health.

These conversations expanded my network and encouraged me to think about aspects of practice and research that I had not considered before.

The programme also introduced me to Wolfson Centre’s broader academic activities. I began exploring other lectures and resources after the sessions, which encouraged me to continue learning beyond the summer school itself. It was a reminder that education can begin in unexpected ways, sometimes even from a simple social media post.

Most importantly, after participating in this three-day programme, I felt encouraged to develop and lead my own research. The knowledge I gained, together with the supportive atmosphere and new connections, gave me the motivation to take further steps in my career.

For me, the Wolfson Summer School was not just an online course but an opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with others.

It showed me the value of collaboration, the benefits of global dialogue, and the ways in which shared knowledge can shape the growth of young professionals

You can connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ayşim-alpman-9809a1384

Thank you so much to Ayşim for sharing her experience with us.

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