Introduction
From September 25 to 26, 2023, we held our fourth Research Retreat at the Sporthotel Fuchsbachtal in Barsinghausen. This retreat continued our tradition of providing a collaborative space for PhD students and Principal Investigators (PIs) to share their research, gain new insights, and foster connections. The two-day event was packed with keynotes, poster sessions, and individual meetings designed to propel our research community forward.
Overview of the Agenda
Retreat Day 1 | September 25, 2023
The retreat commenced with arrivals and check-ins, followed by a warm welcome and agenda overview by Ralph Ewerth, Gunnar Friege, Nico Marten, and Lukas Günther. Tai Le Quy delivered a keynote on “Fairness in AI,” setting a thoughtful tone for the event. The morning continued with a poster session where PhD students presented updates on their projects. After a lunch break, the afternoon delved deeper into the poster session, allowing for detailed discussions. Keynotes from Xiaoming Zhai, Markos Stamatakis, and Lehong provided valuable insights. The day concluded with dinner and bowling, fostering socialization and networking.
Retreat Day 2 | September 26, 2023
The day began with breakfast, followed by individual conversations between PhD students and their supervisor teams. Stefan Dietze delivered a keynote, followed by more individual meetings and lunch. The afternoon included further meetings, a PI meeting, and a financial report on the LernMINT project. The retreat concluded with a closing round, setting goals for future meetings.
Highlights and Insights
One of the highlights was Tai Le Quy’s keynote on fairness in AI, which sparked engaging discussions on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The poster sessions were also a key feature, providing a platform for PhD students to showcase their progress and receive valuable feedback.
The series of keynotes from experts like Xiaoming Zhai, Markos Stamatakis, and Lehong offered diverse perspectives on the integration of AI in education and research, enriching the participants’ understanding of current trends and challenges in the field.
The individual meetings between PhD students and their supervisors were particularly beneficial, offering personalized guidance and fostering closer mentor-mentee relationships.
Conclusion
The fourth Research Retreat at the Sporthotel Fuchsbachtal continued to build on the collaborative spirit of our research community. The combination of structured sessions and informal activities created a balanced environment for learning, networking, and planning future research endeavors. We look forward to the next retreat and the continued growth and achievements of our community.
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