Annual Retreat 2022 in Caux
When you change from the air-conditioned Inter-City train to the century old cogwheel railway in Montreux, it's like entering a time machine. As the train rumbles and squeals up the winding mountain track, and conversations have to be interrupted because of the deafening noise level at each of the numerous tunnel passages, you realise: you are leaving the 21st century behind at the station. With each metre of ascent, time is turned further back until you finally reach the Belle Epoque at the entrance to the Caux Palace, high above Lac Léman. Up here in this hideaway, withdrawn from the hectic present, the members of the research centre put their heads together for three days to discuss its present and future.
The event began with John Lygeros, the Director of the NCCR, welcoming everyone and, together with the members of the Management Team, giving an overview of the activities of the past year. He also highlighted the expansion of research topics during this period and introduced the associated new additions. In order to get to know them better and overcome initial fears of contact, a mixed speed networking session followed, in which members told each other about their research projects.
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The members then divided into two groups: The principal investigators (PIs) discussed among themselves about potential content for continuing education courses, while the doctoral and postdoctoral researchers began developing a concept for an introductory course to the world of control engineering, primarily aimed at high school and undergraduate university students.
The groups later rejoined and mixed up for a revisited poster session to briefly present to each other the primary questions of their ongoing projects. This gave them a chance to get feedback on their work, find common ground for potential collaborations.
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In the evening, Giancarlo Ferrari Trecate, chair of the Control Systems Society Chapter of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers Swiss Section, used the opportunity to award doctoral candidate Jeremy Coulson with the Young Author Best Journal Paper Award 2022. "You, young researchers, are the next generation of control theory. Without you, we would lose this vital knowledge that will have important roles to play in the future", Ferrari Trecate said during his speech.
The festivities, however, did not last long, as it was then time for the pub quiz that was hosted by Communication Officer Linda Seward! Tensions ran high over questions such as ranking the birthdates of famous control theorists, or the special abilities of certain super heroes.
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On day two, the researchers continued working on their course challenge while the PIs discussed about potential overarching research questions that could be the focus of the second phase of the NCCR. In the afternoon, it was time to give the brain a well-deserved break and instead catch some fresh and physical exercise. Most took the opportunity to go for a hike to the mountain top, where they could enjoy scenic views. Others spent their time down in Montreux and went for a stroll along the lake promenade and a dip in the cool water.
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The last day began with a captivating presentation by Kirell Benzi on how to use data visualisation, or even data art, to get across research content in an innovative and appealing manner. In the afternoon, the researchers finally had the chance to present the course concepts they had worked on during the past couple of days. The two winning teams will have the opportunity to receive in-depth feedback on their concepts from education experts and potentially realise their ideas in classrooms.
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After three intensive days, this year's NCCR Automation retreat came to an end. Inspired by the fruitful discussions, the members left the Belle Epoque behind them, eager to return to the present so that they could implement the insights and ideas that sprouted high above Lac Léman.
More impressions from the event:
