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Workshop "Smart Models" on 29 + 30 September 2026 in the Trefftz Building of the HTWK Leipzig

Who is it for?

We welcome researchers – particularly early-career researchers – from Leipzig and partner institutions who develop, couple, reduce or validate models in mathematics, environmental and atmospheric research, CFD, machine learning or research software. The common thread is the methodology, not the specific field of study.

In addition, several open-format sessions are planned, where mathematical consultancy can be offered, research collaborations initiated and opportunities for involvement in teaching and the supervision of final-year dissertations explored.

Please register by emailing Jochen Merker

Goals

  • Exchange on current topics of mathematical modelling, model reduction, numerics and simulation as well as related software development projects
  • Networking of research institutions in Leipzig and initiation of future research collaborations

Mathematical models of different dimensions and complexity, which are developed, validated and applied in an interdisciplinary manner at many Leipzig institutions, should also be as smart as possible nowadays: Not only must the models be sufficiently accurate and allow very effective numerical simulation on the available computer architectures, but they should also be able to be seamlessly coupled with other (possibly AI) models via interfaces/ports, be hierarchical for the purpose of automated simulation with different degrees of reality, and cope with a data-rich environment through which they are subject to constant change and in which they should nevertheless provide accurate predictions at all times. The workshop will provide an up-to-date insight into current developments in "smart models" and "digital twins" and discuss the areas in which progress could be made together.

Procedure

After an initial introductory and networking meeting in the late afternoon and evening of 29 September 2026, the "Smart Models" workshop funded by the LSN-NetzWerkstatt will start on 30 September 2026 with joint presentations from the participating institutions HTWK, UFZ, Tropos, DBFZ, including a subsequent discussion, which will provide an overview of thematically relevant research at the respective institution on the one hand and a deeper insight into specific research problems on the other. This will be followed by keynote speeches by external scientists, which will complement Leipzig's expertise and stimulate joint research topics. After a lunch break, which can also be used for networking, there will be presentations on specific topics, and the workshop will conclude with open discussions on which goals are to be achieved in the near future and which aspects could be tackled jointly.

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Workshop date

Timetable

  • Day 1 – 29
    September 2026 Afternoon / Evening
     
    • 4.00–4.30 pm
      Arrival & registration
       
    • 4.45–5.45 pm
      Networking and get-to-know-you session
      (“3 minutes about me”, shared interests and goals)
       
    • 6.00–8.00 pm
      Group dinner (at participants’ own expense)
  • Day 2 – 30
    September 2026 All
     day
    • 08:30–09:00
      Welcome & workshop objectives
       
    • 09:00–11:30 Keynote
      presentations by Leipzig-based institutions:
      How far have we come with smart models?
       
    • 11.30–11.45 am
      Coffee break
       
    • 11.45–12.45 Keynote
      presentations by external researchers
       
    • 12.45–14.00
      Joint lunch
      (catering provided as part of the funding
       )
    • 14:00–15:00
      Presentations on specific topics
       , accessible to a general audience
    • 3.00–3.30 pm
      Coffee break
       
    • 3.30–4.30 pm
      Open-format sessions on
      future collaborations, integration of methods, grant applications, data exchange,
      and opportunities to participate in teaching and supervising final-year dissertations
    • Mathematical consultancy
       
    • 16:30–16:45
      Conclusion & outlook
       

Organisation

The applicants conduct research at three institutions in Leipzig and bring complementary perspectives to “Smart Models”:

  • Sabine Attinger
    , UFZ / University of Potsdam
    ; Head of the “Smart Models/Monitoring” research area at the UFZ
    ; specialism: analysis and prediction of complex environmental systems
     
  • Jochen Merker
    , HTWK Leipzig, MNZ, Chair of Analysis and Optimisation
    ; Head of the Centre
    for Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Specialism: Mathematical methods for digital twins
     
  • Willi Schimmel
    , TROPOS, “Modelling of Atmospheric Processes”
    Department. Focus: Model coupling, computationally efficient solvers, graph-theoretic complexity reduction of chemical mechanisms, ML/HPC for atmospheric models

The “Smart Models” workshop is funded by the NetzWerkstatt of the Leipzig Science Network (LSN).

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