Introduction
From February 14 to 16, 2023, we held our third Research Retreat at the Sporthotel Fuchsbachtal in Barsinghausen. This retreat provided an invaluable opportunity for PhD students and Principal Investigators (PIs) to collaborate, share their research progress, and develop new ideas. Over the three days, participants engaged in a variety of sessions designed to enhance research skills, foster collaboration, and plan for the future.
Overview of the Agenda
PhD Day | February 14, 2023
The retreat began with a dedicated PhD Day. By 9:30 AM, participants had arrived and prepared the room for the day’s activities. The welcome session at 10:00 AM included an agenda overview and a general exchange where PhD students discussed their current work and personal well-being. This was followed by project group meetings to prepare for discussions with PIs.
After a lunch break and various activities like sports and walks, the afternoon featured a series of workshops. These included sessions on Python basics, cognitive research methods, LaTeX/Overleaf, fine-tuning with transformers, and large language models. The day concluded with a cozy gathering in the evening.
Retreat Day 1 | February 15, 2023
The first retreat day for all participants started with a communal breakfast and a philosophy walk. PIs joined the retreat at 9:30 AM, and the morning included a welcome session led by Ralph Ewerth and Gunnar Friege, followed by a review of the PhD Day and an overview of the agenda.
A poster session provided PhD students an opportunity to present updates on their projects. This was followed by individual conversations between PhD students and their supervisor teams, allowing for in-depth discussions on their research progress and challenges. The afternoon featured a keynote by Henning Wachsmuth on “Generation of Subjective Language: Chances and Risks” and more individual meetings.
After dinner, the evening included a fun bowling session with mixed groups, fostering a relaxed environment for networking and social interaction.
Retreat Day 2 | February 16, 2023
The final day began with breakfast and a joint start to review the agenda and previous day’s activities. Project groups met with PIs to discuss their research, followed by presentations of their updates.
The day also included a PI meeting and a separate PhD meeting, providing focused time for planning and discussions. After lunch, Gunnar Friege gave a presentation on finances in LernMINT. The retreat concluded with a closing round to review the three days, discuss future scientific programs, and plan the next retreat, tentatively set for November. The event officially ended around 3:00 PM with farewells.
Highlights and Insights
One of the highlights was the series of workshops on the PhD Day, which provided practical skills and advanced knowledge on various research tools and methods. The poster sessions and individual meetings with supervisors were also invaluable, offering personalized feedback and fostering deeper discussions about ongoing research.
Henning Wachsmuth’s keynote on the generation of subjective language was particularly enlightening, shedding light on new research frontiers and the ethical considerations involved. The informal bowling session added a fun and relaxed dimension to the retreat, enhancing camaraderie among participants.
Conclusion
The third Research Retreat at the Sporthotel Fuchsbachtal offered participants the chance to advance their research, build networks, and gain new insights. The mix of structured sessions and informal activities created a productive and engaging environment. We look forward to the next retreat and the continued growth and collaboration within our research community.
This retreat was a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to foster a vibrant and supportive research environment. Until next time!
lernmint.org 