International Guest Programme
Interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific exchange are substantial for a vital scientific community. To promote these principles, STRUCTURES College runs a substantial visitor programme that invites researchers from around the globe for stays ranging from a few days to an entire semester or year. This programme complements workshops, conferences, and thematic semesters, opening new avenues for interaction and collaboration on an international scope.
A Dynamic Platform for Exchange
Since its beginning, the STRUCTURES guest programme has welcomed over 220 visiting scientists, who have contributed to lectures, research collaborations, and various academic events. These visits have greatly enhanced the Cluster's activities, including colloquia, workshops, and international conferences:
- Colloquia such as the STRUCTURES Jour Fixe and the CQD Colloquium serve as regular forums for idea exchange.
- Workshops like the YRC Schöntal Workshop and thematic events organized by STRUCTURES Exploratory Projects offer targeted platforms for in-depth exploration of specialized topics.
- Conferences supported by STRUCTURES feature prominent events like the International Conference on the Exact Renormalization Group, the 12th European Conference on Mathematical and Theoretical Biology (ECMTB2022) or the 40th Colloquium on Combinatorics.
In addition to brief visits, the guest programme also accommodates longer research stays that can last from several months to a full semester. These extended residencies have led to new research publications or special seminar and courses. Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, STRUCTURES upheld its dedication to international collaboration through virtual exchanges. Now that global travel has resumed, the guest programme is gaining traction once again, further enhancing the Cluster's standing as a centre for interdisciplinary research.
Focused Initiatives and Exploratory Projects
STRUCTURES Exploratory Projects (EPs) have been essential in promoting research through the guest programme. For example, EP Math & Data has established a central hub for researchers who apply topological and geometric methods in data analysis. Its activities include:
- A regular Journal Club that attracts participants from Heidelberg University and various European institutions.
- Annual workshops for an international audience, focusing on the intersection of mathematics and data, such as the 2023 workshop exploring synergies between Topological Data Analysis (TDA) and Life Sciences.
These initiatives have cultivated dynamic networks that reach beyond STRUCTURES, connecting mathematical theory, computational techniques, and application-focused research.
Expanding Beyond Core Areas
The STRUCTURES guest programme promotes collaboration among various disciplines. A prime example is the 2023 conference titled Human Intelligence Meets Artificial Intelligence, which was co-organized with Heidelberg University's Field of Focus 4: Self-Regulation and Regulation: Individuals and Societies. This event united international experts in cognition, psychology, and AI to discuss common challenges and opportunities, sparking considerable interest within scientific communities. Other successful examples include the workshop From Structures to Function jointly organized with the Flagship Initiative Engineering Molecular Systems.
Empowering Early-Career Researchers
STRUCTURES understands the significance of nurturing young talent. The guest programme is designed to be fully accessible to early-career researchers, providing them with exceptional opportunities to collaborate on an international scale and broaden their academic networks. This possibility has been used extensively.
Travelling Information for Members
More information on travel funds can be found in the travel FAQs in the internal section of our website. The STRUCTURES office is happy to answer questions at office@structures.uni-heidelberg.de.
