NCCR AUtomation special sessions

NCCR Automation Retreat - 3 September 2026

IMPACT

  • ...
  • Reputation
  • Visibility
  • Creating new communities
  • ...

 

How does it happen?

Special sessions at conferences

Tutorials

Audience

Researchers that approach the topic for the first time

 

Format

Longer presentations
Guided learning
Review of literature

 

Topic

Good level of maturity
Solid literature
Yet not obvious

WORKSHOPS

Audience

Researchers that are active on that topic

 

Format

Structured presentation
Shorter talks
Collaborative work

 

Topic

Emerging topics
New ideas that are getting some momentum

invited sessions

Audience

Conference attendees
Active researchers

 

Format

Standard presentations
Series of contributions
Reviewed separately

 

Topic

Emerging topics
Multidisciplinary theme
Specialized

CDC2027 workshops

Who is attending a pre-CDC workshop?

Why attending a workshop at all?

Why that one?

  • Clear theme

  • Novelty / originality

  • Bring communities together
    • complementary views
    • multidisciplinary group
  • Diverse group
    • multiple affiliations
  • Secret sauce!
    • special guest!
    • prestigious industry people
    • interactive setup
    • panel
    • ...

recipe

1

PI pitches

listen to some ideas for special session topics

2

Pick & split

one that interests you and form groups

3

Refine the theme, make it unique and catchy, choose a venue

5

Write a draft of the proposal (following the conference guidelines)

4

Fill the details

List of participants, program, activities

  • Fine-Tuning Imitation Policies with RL: Problems, Advances, Open Questions
  • Diffusion in Control: From Learned Policies to Model-Based Trajectory Optimization
  • Optimization of on-demand transport systems
  • Optimization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for monitoring and logistics

  • New Advances in Decision-Making and Control for Mobility Systems: Game-theoretic methods/Learning-based methods/Probabilistic methods

  • Meta-Learning for Dynamical Systems Modeling: Algorithms, Applications, and Frontiers
  • Autonomous Modeling and Control with Agentic AI
  • Online Optimization
  • How Will AI Change Our Field, and How Should We Train the Next Generation of Researchers?

  • Algorithmic robustness in agentic AI

  • Junior retreat

1. PI PITCHES

until 11:30

Remember who is presenting each topic

Everybody:

  • Pick a topic that resonates with you because
    • you could contribute
    • you could co-organize
    • you have a network/connections
    • you are up-to-date on the literature
    • you would attend it
  • Move: form groups
    • Cluster around the presenting PI

2. pick & split

  • Quick round of introductions in each group
  • Q&A about the topic to clarify
  • Align expectations and brainstorm ideas
  • Think of venues for the special session

3. REfine

https://bsaver.io/conferences

15 minutes

4. fill the details

https://bsaver.io/special-sessions-2027

until 12:20

Write a proposal following the venue guidelines.

  • Continue the conversation with the group of organizers
  • Get in touch with NCCR team if you need any support
    • find guests
    • advertise
    • special resources
    • proof reading / discussion
  • Bring it to the finish line!

5. Write