BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies - ECPv6.17.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:The Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://brias.be X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Brussels BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251218T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251218T180000 DTSTAMP:20251211T083736Z CREATED:20251211T083736Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251211T083736Z UID:2572-1766073600-1766080800@brias.be SUMMARY:Paradoxes of the schooled society\, by Leandros Kavadias DESCRIPTION:Abstract\nOver the past decades\, a silent educational revolution has transformed an increasing amount of countries worldwide into ’schooled societies’. In such societies\, schooling has become a central and authoritative institution that profoundly shapes our thinking\, behavior\, and interrelationships. This lecture examines this trend from a global and comparative perspective and studies its association to education-based inequalities and political conflict. \nAbout the Lecturer\nLeandros Kavadias is a researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Department of Sociology) and the University of Groningen (Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences). His research focusses on the comparative study of institutions and their societal consequences\, specifically regarding social inequalities. His main fields of interest include comparative cultural sociology\, intergroup relations\, globalization and the sociology of education. URL:https://brias.be/event/paradoxes-of-the-schooled-society-by-leandros-kavadias/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251201T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251203T180000 DTSTAMP:20251125T104543Z CREATED:20251125T101716Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T104543Z UID:2448-1764590400-1764784800@brias.be SUMMARY:Resilient Democracy Online: Reimagining Civic Debate on Social Media. DESCRIPTION:BRIAS and the SoMe4Dem – Social Media for Democracy project invite you to a three-day stakeholder event dedicated to strengthening democratic debate in the digital age.\n\nA stakeholder workshop organized in partnership with BRIAS\nPart of the Horizon Europe project SoMe4Dem \n\nAbout the Event\nHow can democratic debate thrive in an era of online polarisation\, shifting political norms\, and increasingly complex information ecosystems? \nResilient Democracy Online is a three-day event hosted in collaboration with BRIAS as part of the Horizon Europe project SoMe4Dem – Social Media for Democracy. The programme brings together eight partner institutions\, including the Brussels School of Governance\, to examine the causal mechanisms underpinning digital citizenship and democratic engagement. \nThis workshop will explore: \n\nHow European digital ecosystems can build long-term resilience to external disruptions\nTechnical and institutional conditions for open\, healthy civic debate\nWays to foster constructive disagreement and deliberation online\nSocio-technical principles for strengthening democratic use of social media\nInsights from research on polarisation\, cultural memory\, and public trust\n\n\nRegister here URL:https://brias.be/event/resilient-democracy-online/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251201T083000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251201T140000 DTSTAMP:20251118T081952Z CREATED:20251118T081952Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251118T081952Z UID:2438-1764577800-1764597600@brias.be SUMMARY:La démocratie en danger : agir contre les violences envers les femmes politiques DESCRIPTION:Brulocalis and its partners organize a study morning dedicated to women in politics\, parity challenges\, and concrete strategies to combat the violence and obstacles that hinder their participation.\n\nWomen in Politics:\nParity\, Violence\, and Democratic Participation\n\nAbout the Event\nThis study morning will address the place of women in politics\, the challenges of gender parity\, and concrete means to combat the violence and barriers that limit their political participation. \nSexism in politics remains a major issue for women’s participation and representation in democratic life. Far beyond individual attitudes\, it is a structural phenomenon that hinders women’s entry into the political sphere\, complicates their trajectory once they hold responsibilities\, and jeopardizes the representation of women’s interests in public policy. \nToo often\, elected women confronted with sexist behaviour\, harassment\, or symbolic and verbal violence are forced to disengage\, give up their mandate\, or choose not to stand for re-election. In this way\, sexism acts as a tool of marginalisation and reinforces the male domination of the political field. \nRecent data in Belgium and across Europe show an increase in violence\, harassment\, and intimidation targeting women engaged in politics — particularly young candidates. Since the 2024 federal\, regional\, and municipal elections\, Belgium has recorded a decline in the number of female candidates\, a worrying trend also observed in other Council of Europe member states. \nIn response to this alarming situation\, Brulocalis and its partners are organising an awareness-raising and dialogue event\, bringing together researchers\, elected officials\, experts\, and political representatives with a shared ambition: to understand\, to testify\, and to act. \n\nProgramme (Provisional)\nAgenda\n\n\n8:30 Welcome coffee\n\nPart 1 – Overview of Political Parity in Belgium and Europe\, Forms of Violence and Cyberharassment (9:00 – 10:45)\n\nIntroduction by Federal Minister for Equal Opportunities Rob Beenders and Christian Lamouline\, President of Brulocalis\nAnalysis of the post-2024 elections situation by Audrey Vandeleene\, postdoctoral researcher and professor\, Department of Political Science\, ULB (CEVIPOL)\, author of the study “Candidat/Candidates” for the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men\nAnalysis of stagnant parity in Brussels municipal bodies after the 2024 elections\, by Alessia Messina\, Gender Officer at Brulocalis\nEuropean perspectives and 2025 data by Annelies Coessens\, Project Officer at CEMR (Council of European Municipalities and Regions)\, author of the study “Women in Politics – Local and European Trends”\nDo we need women in politics? Presentation of a study on gendered ambition and its consequences for the political sphere by Robin Devroe\, VUB & UGent\nForms of violence and cyberharassment by Anne Van Bavel\, postdoctoral researcher at VUB\nSocial media as a ‘new’ public space marked by violence against women\, and female politicians specifically\, by journalist and documentary filmmaker Florence Hainaut\n\nPart 2 – Women in Politics: Between Hopes and Realities (11:00 – 11:45)\nModerated by: Sarra El Massaoudi\, journalist\, trainer\, and speaker \n\nTestimonies from women politicians: resilience and lived experiences in the field\n\nPart 3 – Tools and Resources for Action (11:45 – 13:00)\nDiscover mechanisms and best practices for supporting women in politics: \n\nPreparing and protecting women candidates with ELECTA\nReporting and handling aggressive behaviour\, by Myriam Fayad (Research & Training Service\, Institute for the Equality of Women and Men – IEFH) and Marie Denis (President of the Women’s Rights Advisory Council\, author of guides on coercive control\, co-founder of the Observatory on Violence Against Women)\nMeasures to strengthen women’s political participation at the Brussels regional level\, by Kelly Timperman\, President of the Brussels Council for Equality between Women and Men (CEFH)\nCouncil of Europe standards for fostering equal participation\, by Cécile Gréboval\, Programme Manager\, Gender Mainstreaming – Senior Gender Equality Advisor\, Council of Europe\nClosing remarks by Corinne François\, Director of Brulocalis\n\n13:00 Networking lunch to continue discussions in a friendly atmosphere. URL:https://brias.be/event/la-democratie-en-danger-agir-contre-les-violences-envers-les-femmes-politiques/ LOCATION:ULB\, Salle Dupreel\, Salle Dupréel\, Avenue Jeanne 44\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251125T083000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251125T193000 DTSTAMP:20251022T131425Z CREATED:20251022T131230Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251022T131425Z UID:2414-1764059400-1764099000@brias.be SUMMARY:7th Waseda Brussels Conference – Next-Generation Quantum Technology through the Fusion of Nanophotonics and Atomic Physics DESCRIPTION:The Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies and the Waseda University Brussels Office organize the 7th Waseda Brussels Conference on Next-Generation Quantum Technology through the Fusion of Nanophotonics and Atomic Physics. \nWith the support of The Mission of Japan to the European Union. \n\nRegister here\n\nAbout the Conference\nQuantum Sciences and Technologies — new technologies and systems using the properties of quantum mechanics — are among the most dynamic areas of fundamental research and innovation today. They underpin breakthroughs in advanced computing\, artificial intelligence\, sensing and metrology\, biomedical research\, weather and climate modelling\, cybersecurity\, and sustainable energy. \nGiven the major scientific and technological challenges\, the European Union and Japan are intensifying collaboration in quantum research through increased investment\, public-private partnerships\, and coordinated strategies such as the Quantum Europe Strategy\, Japan’s National Quantum Strategy\, and the EU-Japan Letter of Intent on Strengthening Cooperation in Quantum Sciences & Technologies. \nThis conference explores how recent advances in quantum technology — particularly in nanophotonics and atomic physics — are driving the development of large-scale distributed quantum computing and global quantum networks. It also aims to strengthen EU–Japan collaboration through dialogue\, project development\, and funding synergies. \n\n25/11/2025 – Conference Schedule\nAgenda\n\n\n08:30 – 09:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee\n\nWelcome Words & Policy Session\nChair: Jean-Louis Moortgat (Waseda University Brussels Office) \n\nMasahiko Gemma – Vice-President for International Affairs & International Fundraising\, Waseda University\nAnne Weyembergh – Vice-Rector for External Relations & Cooperation\, Université libre de Bruxelles\nFranz Deconinck – Co-Director\, Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies\nH.E. Kazutoshi Aikawa – Ambassador\, Mission of Japan to the European Union\nH.E. Jean-Eric Paquet (video message) – Ambassador of the European Union to Japan\nEuropean representative (TBC)\n\nIntroduction of Quantum Technology in Waseda\n\n10:00 – 10:15 Takao Aoki (Waseda University)\n10:15 – 10:30 Coffee break\n\nSession I – Experiments with Laser-Cooled Atoms\nChair: Takao Aoki (Waseda University) \n\nArno Rauschenbeutel (Humboldt University of Berlin) – Hybrid Trapping of Cold Atoms with Surface Forces and Blue-Detuned Evanescent Light on a Nanophotonic Waveguide\nJulien Laurat (Sorbonne University) – Quantum optics with cold atoms trapped along nanowaveguides\nSebastian Hofferberth (University of Bonn) – Waveguide QED with Rydberg Superatoms\nLucia Hackermueller (University of Nottingham) – Bayesian sensing and photon storage in micromachined waveguides\n\n12:30 – 14:30 Networking Lunch & Poster Session \nSession II – Experiments with Atom-like Systems in Solids\nChair: Darrick Chang (The Institute of Photonic Sciences) \n\nHugues de Riedmatten (ICFO) – Quantum network nodes with nano(micro) scale rare-earth based devices\nHanna Le Jeannic (Sorbonne University) – Quantum Light Generation and Collection via Solid-State Emitters on Optical Nanofibers\n\n15:30 – 15:45 Coffee break \nSession III – Theory\nChair: Arno Rauschenbeutel (Humboldt University of Berlin) \n\nDarrick Chang (ICFO) – Realizing many-body complexity in quantum optics\nSaverio Pascazio (University of Bari) – Dynamics and dissipation in waveguide QED\n\nSession IV – Related Quantum Technologies\nChair: Hugues de Riedmatten (The Institute of Photonic Sciences) \n\nStéphane Trebaol (Institut Foton / University of Rennes) – Visible light sources for quantum technologies\nNicolas Cerf (Université libre de Bruxelles) – From matrix permanents to many-photon multimode interferometry: Violating conjectures on permanents leads to anomalous bunching phenomena\n\nConcluding Words\n\n17:45 – 18:00 Takao Aoki (Waseda University)\n18:00 – 19:30 Farewell Reception\n\n\n\nContact\nJean-Louis Moortgat\nWaseda University Brussels Office\nAvenue Antoine Depage 1\, 1050 Brussels\, Belgium\nhttps://www.waseda.jp/inst/brussels-office/news-en/\nEmail: jean-louis.moortgat@ulb.be\nTel: +32 476 538 320 URL:https://brias.be/event/7th-waseda-brussels-conference-next-generation-quantum-technology-through-the-fusion-of-nanophotonics-and-atomic-physics/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251001T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20251002T160000 DTSTAMP:20250929T064259Z CREATED:20250915T103645Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T064259Z UID:1751-1759316400-1759420800@brias.be SUMMARY:Citizens\, Political Organisations and Digital Technologies: Disconnection or/and Reconnection? DESCRIPTION:The Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies and the RELINK2 COST Action organize a collaborative two-day workshop on Citizens\, Political Organisations and Digital Technologies: Disconnection or/and Reconnection?\n\n\nCitizens\, Political Organisations and Digital Technologies:\nDisconnection or/and Reconnection?\n\n\n1-2 October 2025\nCOST Action Relink2 & Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies\nUsquare – 210 Boulevard Général Jacques\, 1050 Ixelles\nAccess via here\n\n\n01/10/2025 – Networking & Stakeholder Roundtables\nAgenda\n\n\n11:00 – 11:30 Arrival and registration\n11:30 – 11:45 Welcome and project presentations\n Caroline Close (BrIAS)\n Michal Jacunski (Action Chair Relink2 CA23114)\n11:45 – 12:30 Networking activity (co-designed with Policy Lab)\n All roundtable participants and panel presenters are kindly invited to attend\n12:30 – 13:30 Lunch\n13:30 – 15:00 Roundtable 1 – Facilitating digital internal participation and deliberation within political actors\n Chair: Ramón Villaplana (University of Murcia)\n Participants:\n Ciarán Cuffe (Co-chair\, European Green Party)\n Pierre-Yves Leveaux (Communication Adviser\, Party of European Socialists Group)\n Alessia Gonfroid (Network Officer\, European Network of Political Foundations)\n \n15:00 – 15:30 Coffee break\n15:30 – 17:00 Roundtable 2 – Sharing best practices on the use of digital tools to engage hard-to-reach groups\n Chair: Caroline Close\n Participants:\n Paulo Rosa (Policy analyst\, European Commission’s Joint Research Centre)\n Hendrik Nahr (Head of European Affairs\, Make.org)\n Nadia Tjahja (Coordinator\, Youth Dialogue on Internet Governance)\n Giulia Sandri (R&D Manager\, European Citizen Action Service)\n \n17:00 – 18:00 Drink\n\n\n\n02/10/2025 – Academic Workshop\nAgenda\n\n\n8:30 – 9:00 Arrival and registration\n9:00 – 9:10 Welcome\n Caroline Close (BrIAS)\n Jasmin Fitzpatrick (Action Vice-Chair Relink2 CA23114)\n9:15 – 10:45 Parallel sessions\n\nPanel session 1: E-government and digital inclusion\nChair: Giulia Sandri (Université libre de Bruxelles)\n Discussant: Dmytro Khutkyy (University of Tartu) \n\nMansi\, Egla; Bonomi\, Andrea – (Re)Connecting Citizens through Digital Public Services: Examining the Role of E-Government in Political Trust and Democratic Engagement\nKapsa\, Izabella – Reconnecting or Excluding? Online Voting in Participatory Budgeting in Polish Cities\nGueorguieva\, Pétia – Digital local policies and digital needs to improving citizens participation\n\nPanel session 2: Digital technologies and democratic risks\nChair: Gabriela Borz (University of Strathclyde)\n Discussants: Felix Von Nostitz (ESPOL)\, Dmytro Khutkyy (University of Tartu) \n\nAquida\, Salma – Reactive Democracy and the Illusion of Digital Reconnection in Southeast Asia\nJanušauskienė\, Diana – Digital Exclusion: A Critical Analysis of Underlying Causes\nPandey\, Shipi – Disconnecting Democracy: AI\, Digital Infrastructures\, and the Simulated Inclusion of Marginalised Citizens in India\nCeballos\, Pablo – AI Regulation and Democratic Risks: A Critical Analysis of Human Rights in El Salvador\n\n10:45 – 11:15 Break \nPanel session 3: Political actors and digital tactics\nChair: Emilien Paulis (University of Luxemburg)\n Discussant: Lucas Kins (Université libre de Bruxelles) \n\nPereira\, André – Digital Youth Engagement and Party Strategies in Portugal’s 2024-2025 Elections\nBarrat\, Jordi – How public institutions supervise political parties when online voting is used for internal decision-making\nDechung\, Zhang – From Tweets to Tactics: Unravelling State-backed Propaganda on Twitter\nSchoeman\, Smilla – How personal data is used by political parties and private companies for election campaigning in South Africa\n\nPanel session 4: Digital Citizenry and Democratic Governance\nChair: Oscar Barberà (University of Valencia)\n Discussant: Thomas Legein (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) \n\nMompó\, Adrià; Lupato\, Fabio G. – Political parties and their membership: a new role for a declining group in a new environment?\nBoja\, Morena – Digital Technologies and Democratic Governance in the Western Balkans: Threats\, Opportunities\, and Outcomes\nKouiyache\, Omar – Theorizing Reconnection: New Frameworks for Understanding Digital Citizenship\nMartins\, Pedro – Refugee Collective Intelligence in the Digital Age: Interactive Methods and the Role of Policymaker Engagement\n\n12:45 – 14:00 Lunch \n14:00 – 15:00 Plenary discussion\n Synthesis of insights and identification of research priorities and synergies\n Chair: Jasmin Fitzpatrick (Action Vice-Chair Relink2 CA23114) \n15:15 – 15:30 Closing remarks and next steps\n Caroline Close (BrIAS)\n Jasmin Fitzpatrick (Action Vice-Chair Relink2 CA23114) URL:https://brias.be/event/citizens-political-organisations-and-digital-technologies-disconnection-or-and-reconnection/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20250915T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20250915T150000 DTSTAMP:20250915T105334Z CREATED:20250915T093457Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T105334Z UID:1745-1757937600-1757948400@brias.be SUMMARY:Investigating the Dynamics of Destructive Polarisation in Public Communication DESCRIPTION:BrIAS invites you to the first lunchtime seminar of the new Programme theme “Democratic Challenges” with Prof. Axel Bruns: \nInvestigating the Dynamics of Destructive Polarisation in Public Communication\nAbstract:\nThe focus of concerns about societal fragmentation in public communication is shifting. Instead of the retreat into echo chambers and filter bubbles that had been assumed in previous research\, and which has not been confirmed by empirical evidence\, greater emphasis is now being placed on polarisation along issue\, ideological\, and identity lines. \nMild forms of polarisation can be productive\, but at elevated levels it variously leads individuals to dismiss alternative viewpoints\, to attack political opponents verbally and even physically\, and to embrace and disseminate (dis)information because of its ideological stance rather than its truthfulness. \nSocial media play a particular role as a public space where such dynamics manifest\, and activities there are themselves fed by material from mainstream as well as fringe media. \nThis presentation introduces destructive polarisation as a particularly pernicious form of polarisation that is distinguished by a number of distinct symptomatic features\, and outlines practice mapping as a novel approach to analysing such polarised debates. \nPresenter bio:\nAxel Bruns is an Australian Laureate Fellow and Professor in the Digital Media Research Centre at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane\, Australia\, and a Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. \nHis books include Are Filter Bubbles Real? (2019) and Gatewatching and News Curation: Journalism\, Social Media\, and the Public Sphere (2018)\, and the edited collections Digitizing Democracy (2019)\, the Routledge Companion to Social Media and Politics (2016)\, and Twitter and Society (2014). \nHis current research focusses on public communication in digital and social media environments\, with particular attention to the dynamics of polarisation\, partisanship\, and problematic information\, and their implications for our understanding of the contemporary public sphere. His work draws especially on innovative methods for analysing big social data. \nHe served as President of the Association of Internet Researchers in 2017–19. His research blog is at http://snurb.info/\, and he posts on Mastodon at @snurb@aoir.social and on Bluesky at @snurb.info. URL:https://brias.be/event/investigating-the-dynamics-of-destructive-polarisation-in-public-communication/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250614 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250615 DTSTAMP:20251217T132044Z CREATED:20251217T121733Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T132044Z UID:2633-1749859200-1749945599@brias.be SUMMARY:Concert & Expo: La Présence d'Olivier Messiaen DESCRIPTION:A concert featuring selected piano & voice works of Olivier Messiaen and an exhibition of selected works by Bern Wery inspired by the music of Olivier Messiaen. \n\n\n\nArtists\n\n\n\nPierre Thomas Piano \n\n\n\nSabine Lawalrée Piano \n\n\n\nLaura Elisabeth Verlinden Chanteuse lyrique \n\n\n\nBern Wery Exposition \n\nRegistration\nParticipation through registration. Voluntary contributions can be made through donations via our VUB donations account either by clicking through to this link or by transferring an amount directly to BE51 0013 6779 3562 with the reference GIFTFD48. Donations from 40 euros onwards are eligible for tax refunds of up to 45% of the donation. \n\n\n\nSeats are limited\, once registrations reach full capacity additional registrations will be placed on a waiting list. URL:https://brias.be/event/concert-expo-la-presence-dolivier-messiaen/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Other Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250605 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250606 DTSTAMP:20251217T132030Z CREATED:20251217T122134Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T132030Z UID:2636-1749081600-1749167999@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Public Forum: Democratic Governance: Challenges & Innovations DESCRIPTION:This is a one-day public forum organised as a collaboration between the two BrIAS programmes: Sustainable Robotics and Democratic Governance. Through this forum we aim to foster conversations and promote close collaborations among key stakeholders who are closely connected to the theme of democratic governance\, with the goal to collectively think of democratic challenges in practice. We focus on five key areas: 1.    Polarization\, populism\, and violence 2.    Democratic short-termism and sustainability 3.    Technology\, misinformation\, and AI 4.    Inequality and inclusion 5.    Democratic Innovations Beyond these areas\, we pay specific attention to the role of cities and art in democratic resilience. To this end\, we bring academics\, members of civil society organizations and public administrations together to: •    Discuss the main challenges to democratic governance •    Raise the big questions that need to be addressed •    Strengthen the link between academic and stakeholders’ knowledge \n\n\n\nThe Forum combines talk duos on key dimensions of democratic governance\, as well as smaller creative workshops. \n\nProgramme\n\n\n\n\n09:00 – 09:30\n\n\nWelcome\n\n\n\n\n09:30 – 09:45\n\n\nIntroductionMarius Gilbert\, Vice-Rector for Research & Diffusion\, and Scientific Culture & MediationFrank Deconinck\, BrIAS DirectorEmanuele Garone and Ann Nowe\, 2023 – 2025 Program DirectorsSilvia Erzeel and Emilie van Haute\, 2025 – 2027 Program Directors\n\n\n\n\n09:45 – 10:45\n\n\nLaunch talk duos (academia / society)Polarisation\, populism and violenceEva Jaspers (Utrecht University)Maarten Van Alstein (Vlaams Vredesinstituut)Short-termism and sustainabilityEmmanuel Slautsky (ULB)Karim Sheik Hassan (CERAC)Technology\, disinformation and AIPaolo Turrini (Warwick University)Juliane von Reppert-Bismarck (Lie detectors)\n\n\n\n\n10:45 – 11:00\n\n\nCoffee/Tea break\n\n\n\n\n11:00 – 12:30\n\n\nWorkshopsIdentification of democratic challenges and big questions to address related to the threethemes (polarisation\, populism\, and violence; short-termism and sustainability;technology\, disinformation\, and AI)\n\n\n\n\n12:30 – 13:30\n\n\nLunch\n\n\n\n\n13:30 – 14:15\n\n\nLaunch talk duos (academia / society)Inequalities and inclusionKenza Amara-Hammou (UCLouvain)Angela van de Wiel (SAAMO Brussel/Bruxelles vzw)Democratic innovationsVincent Jacquet (Unamur)Jonathan Moskovic (DemNext/OECD)\n\n\n\n\n14:15 – 15:45\n\n\nWorkshopsIdentification of democratic challenges and big questions to address related to the twothemes (Inequalities and inclusion; Democratic innovations)\n\n\n\n\n15:45 – 16:00\n\n\nCoffee/Tea Break\n\n\n\n\n16:00 – 17:00\n\n\nNetwork building and forward thinking exercise: what’s next?\n\n\n\n\n17:00 – 17:30\n\n\nConclusion\n\n\n\n\n17:30\n\n\nDrink URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-public-forum-democratic-governance-challenges-innovations/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250528 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250529 DTSTAMP:20251217T132002Z CREATED:20251217T122600Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T132002Z UID:2639-1748390400-1748476799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar & Closing Ceremony DESCRIPTION:BrIAS Sustainable Robotics\, AI and Automation Closing Ceremony \n\nSeminar 1: BrIAS Fellow Prof. Ilya Kolmanovsky\nExploiting Supervisory Schemes and the Interplay Between Computations and Closed-Loop Properties in Model Predictive Control\n\nAbstract: Model Predictive Control (MPC) leads to algorithmically defined nonlinear feedback laws for systems with pointwise-in-time state and control constraints. These feedback laws are defined by solutions to appropriately posed optimal control/trajectory optimization problems that are (typically) solved online. There is a growing interest in the use of MPC for practical applications\, including as an enabling technology for control and trajectory generation in autonomous vehicles\, including in aerospace\, automotive and robotics domains. To enable MPC implementation\, the solutions to MPC optimization problems must be computed reliably and within the available time. After describing several motivating applications in aerospace and automotive domains\, the talk will reflect on recent research by the presenter and his students/collaborators into strategies for computing solutions in optimization problems arising in receding horizon and shrinking horizon MPC formulations. These strategies include methods for solving MPC problems inexactly\, and the use of add-on supervisory schemes for MPC which reduce the computational time and enlarge the constrained closed-loop region of attraction. In particular\, a Computational Governor (CG) will be described which maintains feasibility and bounds the suboptimality of the MPC warm-start by altering the reference command provided to the inexactly solved MPC problem. As it also turns out\, the analysis of time distributed implementation of MPC based on fixed number of optimization algorithm iterations per time step and warm-starting benefits from the application of control-theoretic tools such as the small gain theorem; intriguingly\, similar tools can be exploited in “control-aware” multi-disciplinary design optimization. \n\n\n\nSeminar 2: BrIAS Fellow Prof. Bruno Sinopoli\n\n\n\nLinear Methods for Dimensionality Reduction: is there life beyond PCA?\n\n\n\nAbstract: Feature extraction and selection at the presence of nonlinear dependencies among the data is a fundamental challenge in unsupervised learning. We propose using a Gram-Schmidt (GS) type orthogonalization process over function spaces to detect and map out such dependencies. Specifically\, by applying the GS process over some family of functions\, we construct a series of covariance matrices that can either be used to identify new large-variance directions\, or to remove those dependencies from known directions. In the former case\, we provide information-theoretic guarantees in terms of entropy reduction. In the latter\, we provide precise conditions by which the chosen function family eliminates existing redundancy in the data. Each approach provides both a feature extraction and a feature selection algorithm. Our feature extraction methods are linear\, and can be seen as natural generalization of principal component analysis (PCA). We provide experimental results for synthetic and real-world benchmark datasets which show superior performance over state-of-the-art (linear) feature extraction and selection algorithms. Surprisingly\, our linear feature extraction algorithms are comparable and often outperform several important nonlinear feature extraction methods such as autoencoders\, kernel PCA\, and UMAP. Furthermore\, one of our feature selection algorithms strictly generalizes a recent Fourier-based feature selection mechanism (Heidari et al.\, IEEE Transactions on Information Theory\, 2022)\, yet at significantly reduced complexity. \n\n\n\n  URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-closing-ceremony/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250526 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250529 DTSTAMP:20251217T131941Z CREATED:20251217T123731Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T131941Z UID:2643-1748217600-1748476799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS x OHME : Crossing Wires - Arts\, AI & Robotics DESCRIPTION:Crossing Wires is a three day event dedicated to Arts\, AI and Robotics\, presented by Ohme and hosted in collaboration with BrIAS – Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies. \n\n\n\nThe programme features art installations\, workshops\, engaging talks and a resonant closing night\, to celebrate the closure of the second edition of the Sustainable Robotics artistic residency. \n\n\n\nArtists and researchers reflect on current themes such as ethical issues\, climate change and our collective future in the age of automation and artificial intelligence. They share their vision and process\, aiming to offer insights into our complex relationship to creative thinking and the computational systems that increasingly shape our world. Crossing Wires investigates topics like sustainable robotics\, the future of Generative AI\, creative computers and the complex dynamics between Art and AI. \n\n\n\nFocusing on exploration rather than definitive answers\, this event opens a space for dialogue and exchange on how artistic and scientific practices can challenge each other in shaping tomorrow’s society. \n\n \nProgramme\nArt installations\nThe installations developed as part of the Sustainble Robotics residency will on display during the entire three days:​​ \n\n\n\n\nPlantoid by Dewi Brunet is a bio-inspired work that merges robotics and nature. This interactive installation invites visitors to discover robotic plants that respond to their environment. Plantoid explores the potential for harmonious interactions between technology and nature\, highlighting how robotic art can enrich our relationship with biodiversity.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Garden of the Future by Kris Verdonck imagines an ecosystem where self-sustaining robots\, powered by renewable energy sources like solar and wind\, perform ecological roles in harmony with natural cycles. Free from batteries or power grids\, these robots adapt to energy fluctuations\, challenging conventional consumption.\n\n\n\n\n\nCarbon Technostructure by Guillaume Slizewicz and Gijs de Heij is an interactive installation that materialises the often invisible environmental impact of digital infrastructures. By employing real-time data analysis and physical visualisation techniques\, the project bridges the gap between the intangible nature of digital services and their tangible carbon footprint.\n\n  \n\nAI in education: Where are the opportunities? – Prof. Sarah Howard (University of Leeds) & Prof. Jo Tondeur (VUB)\n\n\n\nIn the fast evolving landscape of digital technologies\, the introduction of new artificial intelligence (AI) has caused great excitement and unrest in education. In “Teachers and Machines: Is something new happening?”\, we consider interactions between teachers and AI-advancements. The aim is to examine claims\, possible benefits and the conditions. The discussion presented in this talk is not just about the feasibility of AI tools in education\, but also about the context\, vision\, and strategic planning required to usefully integrate these technologies into the educational practice of tomorrow. Ultimately\, this work provides a perspective of putting teachers in a position to select and integrate new AI-enabled tools. \n\n\n\nSarah Howard is professor at the University of Leeds. The driving question of her research is: how can we help teachers best use digital technologies to support what they value in learning? A key focus of this work is experimenting with new approaches\, technologies and multimodal data to observe the classroom and explore digital technology integration\, with the aim of conducting research that is meaningful and useful in practice. \n\n\n\nJo Tondeur is Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Prior to academia he was a teacher across various levels of schooling. His research interests are in the field of educational innovation\, technology use\, online and blended learning\, and professional development. Most of his current research focuses on the interplay between (digital) innovations and pre/in-service training. \n  \n\nWorkshop: Carbon Technostructures – Guillaume Slizewicz & Gijs de Heij\nA hands-on workshop on the carbon technostructure of the web\, inviting participants to trace the journey of their HTTP requests and to link each network node to its energy source. By combining developer tools with API calls\, attendees will gain a direct sense of the geographic and environmental footprint of web activity. The aim is not only to reveal where data travels\, but to connect those pathways to real-world energy systems. \n\n\n\nIn the first part\, we will use traceroute commands and IP-localisation services to map the path taken by requests to a chosen website. Participants will learn to interpret each hop and record its location. In the second part\, we will query public energy-production APIs to discover the mix of renewables\, fossil fuels and other sources that power each node. \n\n\n\nThis comparative analysis will show how different regions rely on different energy mixes and invite discussion on how choice of infrastructure affects carbon intensity. \n\n\n\nBy the end of the day\, participants will have a working script\, and a clearer understanding of the hidden carbon cost of their web projects. Please bring your own laptop to take part. \n\n\n\nGuillaume Slizewicz is a designer and digital artist whose work sits at the intersection of technology\, the environment\, and societal issues. Through his practice\, he engages with the tension between innovation and sustainability\, using technology in poetic\, evocative and critical ways. His approach draws connections between ancient practices and contemporary digital tools. \n\n\n\nGijs de Heij is a Brussels based designer and programmer. He is a member of the collective Open Source Publishing which exclusively uses free and open source software (F/LOSS). Through his work he questions the influence and affordances of digital tools to make design and to enable different modes of collaboration. \n\n  \n\n\n\n \n\n \nParticipation is free but registration is recommended due to limited capacity. URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-ohme-crossing-wires-arts-ai-robotics/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Other Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250522 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250524 DTSTAMP:20251217T131914Z CREATED:20251217T124518Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T131914Z UID:2648-1747872000-1748044799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Conference on Battery Management and Future Technologies DESCRIPTION:The BrIAS Batteries2025 aims at becoming a recurrent international event for a multidisciplinary scientific community to present and discuss the most recent advancement and future avenues concerning the Dynamic Modelling and Control of Battery Systems (including Battery Management Systems and Energy Management Systems with storage). URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-conference-on-battery-management-and-future-technologies/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250519 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250520 DTSTAMP:20251217T131852Z CREATED:20251217T130243Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T131852Z UID:2652-1747612800-1747699199@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Public Forum: Protection of Critical Underwater Infrastructures DESCRIPTION:The objective of this forum is to raise awareness and foster dialogue among academia\, industry\, operators\, policymakers\, and the public-at-large on the theme of the protection of Critical Underwater Infrastructures (CUIs). The conference will begin with an introduction to CUIs and discussing their vulnerability to covered sabotages\, terroristic actions\, and hybrid warfare. The geopolitical importance of these infrastructure will be highlighted and an historical overview on the most notorious and impactful incidents will be provided. After this introductory part\, experts and operators will explain how this problem is currently approached by governments and by the industry\, what are the tools available today\, and what are the typical prevention and intervention operations carried out. A critical analysis of successes\, pitfalls and lessons learnt from nowadays technologies\, operations\, and policies will be carried out. The forum will then move toward the future. Ongoing research directions and a vision on the future will be presented by researchers (from academia and the industry) and funding agencies. The forum will end discussing what politics and policy making can do to: i) encourage new research actions; and ii) promote the development of a comprehensive framework based on the share of responsibility between civil and military bodies\, as well as public and private entities. \nProgramme\n\n\n\n\n    09:00 – 09:30\n\n\nWelcome and Initial Remarks                                                                                     Prof. Emanuele Garone\, ULBProf. Marius Gilbert\, Vice-Rector for Research\, ULB\n\n\n\n\n09:30 – 11:50\n\n\nSession I: The Problem and the Present (chair: Prof. Emanuele Garone)\n\n\n\n\n09:30 – 09:50\n\n\nCritical Maritime Infrastructures – A Geopolitical issue for the EU and beyondDr. Allison Weston – Senior Coordinator for Maritime Security and Deputy Director in the Security and Defence Policy Directorate\, European External Action Service\, European Commission. \n\n\n\n\n09:50 – 10:10\n\n\nAn analysis of the problem and an historical overview of incidents involving CUIsDr. Tobias Libetrau\, University of Copenhagen.\n\n\n\n\n10:10 – 10:30\n\n\nOperative Experience on CUI protection – The Belgian experience\, some operational experience\, and identified challengesRepresentatitve of the Belgian Navy\n\n\n\n\n10:30 – 10:50\n\n\nCoffee break\n\n\n\n\n10:50 – 11:10\n\n\nThe Italian perspective of underwater dimension for the resilience of critical infrastructureAdm. Francesco Milazzo\, OF6 –  Italian Navy – Commander of the Italian Submarine Fleet\n\n\n\n\n11:10 – 11:30\n\n\nCUIs\, Threats\, and solutions. A vision from the Private Sector John Wrottesley\, Executive Director of the European Subsea Cable Association\n\n\n\n\n11:30 – 11:50\n\n\nProtection of CUIs in a changing worldAdm. Marcello Grivelli\, OF6 – Italian Delegation at NATO \n\n\n\n\n11:50 -12:30\n\n\nPANEL SESSION I – CUI Today : Success\, Pitfalls and Lesson Learnt (Moderator : E. Garone)Participants: Dr. Allison Weston\, Dr. Thobias Lievetrau\, Adm. Francesco Milazzo\, Belgian Navy speaker\, John Wrottsley\, Adm. Marcello Grivelli.\n\n\n\n\n12:30 – 13:20\n\n\nLunch\n\n\n\n\n13:20 – 15:10\n\n\nSession II – Research and CUI (Chair Geert DeCubber\, Royal Military Academy)\n\n\n\n\n13:20 – 13:30\n\n\nDefense oriented Research\, Development and Innovation : a strategy that applies on CUIAdm. Baudoin Coppieters de Gibson – OF6 – Director General of the Royal Higher Institute for Defense.\n\n\n\n\n13:30 – 13:50\n\n\nResearch on Protection of CUIs: The potential of using fibre optic distributed acoustic sensing for CUI protection. Prof. Martin Landro\, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.\n\n\n\n\n13:50 – 14:10\n\n\nRobotics and Protection of CUI: on overview on current research trends. Prof. E. Garone\, ULB\n\n\n\n\n14:10 – 14:30\n\n\nRobotics and Protection of CUI: Industrial Research Tanguy Durand\, Naval Group.\n\n\n\n\n14:30 – 14:50\n\n\nHow the European Commission sees R&D on CUI’s protection. Renauld Hock\, European Defence Fund.\n\n\n\n\n14:50 – 15:10\n\n\nBelgium future in CUI’s protection – Mission Driven Defence Innovation Ecosystem for Critical Underwater Infrastructures.Piet Opstaele – CEO Blue Cluster\n\n\n\n\n15:10 – 15:40\n\n\nPanel session II – Going in the right direction? (Chair M. Grivelli)Participants:  Piet Opstaele\, Prof. Martin Landro\, Renauld Hock\, Tanguy Durand\n\n\n\n\n15:40 – 16:00\n\n\nCoffee Break\n\n\n\n\n16:00 – 17:00\n\n\nSession III – Policies for CUI protection \n\n\n\n\n16:00 – 16:20\n\n\nWhich policies for CUI protection? Speaker TBC\n\n\n\n\n16:20 – 16:40\n\n\nCurrent and Future Threats\, what should the EU do ? Sophie Witte\, Munich Security Conference\n\n\n\n\n16:40 – 17:00\n\n\nPanel Session III – Which Policies and which Political Actions?\n\n\n\n\n17:00 – 17:50\n\n\nPanel Session III – Which Policies and which Political Actions?\n\n\n\n\n17:50 – 18:00\n\n\nClosing remarks and FarewellProf. Jan Dankaert\, Rector VUBProf. Emanuele Garone\n\n\n\n\n18:00\n\n\nAperitif\n\n\n\n\n18:30\n\n\nPiano Concert: Simon Vaskou\n\n\n\n\n19:15\n\n\nDinner URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-public-forum-protection-of-critical-underwater-infrastructures/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250508 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250509 DTSTAMP:20251217T131810Z CREATED:20251217T130608Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T131810Z UID:2657-1746662400-1746748799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Seminar 1: BrIAS Fellow Prof. Paolo Falcone\nCautious-by-design motion planning. The role of prediction\n\nSafety of passengers and surrounding road users is the most important challenge in the design and deployment of autonomous driving technologies. In fact\, the highest Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL-D) will likely be required for autonomous driving functionalities. While fulfilling such safety requirements involves special design efforts at all levels of the autonomous driving stack\, in this talk we will focus on the control design of a safe motion planner in urban environments. \n\n\n\nWe will start by illustrating a model-based control design approach to vehicle motion planning problem\, in the presence of human road users (pedestrians\, cyclists\, human-driven vehicles). We will show that\, under mild assumptions\, vehicle behavior can be made cautious in the presence of road users and guaranteed to be persistently safe. Experimental results obtained with a passenger vehicle negotiating an intersection with a simulated pedestrian\, will be shown. An important ingredient of the proposed motion planning framework is a prediction model of the surrounding traffic. In the second part of the seminar\, we will illustrate our ongoing research on humans’ intent prediction in traffic environments. We will show how the evolution of a traffic scene can be predicted using very simple models and motion data (position\, velocity) of road users observed in similar traffic scenes.   \n\n\n\nSeminar 2 : BrIAS Fellow Prof. Hideyuki Sawada\n\n\n\nRobotics and machine learning techniques for understanding\, controlling and predicting physical phenomena\n\n\n\nMachine learning techniques are widely applied to the variety of fields to provide human-like intelligence for flexibly understanding\, controlling and predicting daily issues. In this lecture\, the history of the development of AIs is firstly introduced from the viewpoint of computational capacity and human ability\, then the basic idea for machine learning will be presented\, together with the robotic technologies. Several applications that have been conducted in our research team will be introduced as examples of the effective use of machine learning and the robotics technologies. URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250507 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250508 DTSTAMP:20251227T162730Z CREATED:20251217T121209Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T162730Z UID:2626-1746576000-1746662399@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS/CEVIPOL Seminar : The Filibuster for Democracy - Arun Chaudhary DESCRIPTION:The Filibuster for Democracy\n\nThe Premise\n\n\n\nWe had sixty-five elections (of varying quality) across the globe last year. Who is keeping track? I am. I worked in almost twenty of those elections across four continents. I share the frustration of those concerned with our failing record against the natavist right. In all the breathless discussion of which new tactics to mimic or adopt\, the greatest danger could be in overcorrection. \n\n\n\nTraditional media\, academia\, many institutions are going so far as to hire and fire based on new paradigms that are not borne out by date or vibe. When we look at political tactics and elections\, the forces of Democracy are failing not because they aren’t adopting new tactics quickly enough\, it’s because they aren’t even employing the older ones correctly. \n\n\n\nThat can be hard\, especially when trapped inside the electoral cycles of any particular nation. \n\n\n\nThe Filibuster For Democracy tries to rise above that limitation by distilling the best tactics\, messages\, and content that have *worked* worldwide\, and putting them into a frame that is usable by practical for progressive forces. A filibuster because we have to take the time to get this right. There is so much we already know\, but to put it into context takes time. \n\n\n\nI hope people can join us for any portion of the event and we will also annotate the recording to make it useful as a reference \nArun Chaudhary\nArun Chaudhary is a filmmaker working in politics. After being a key member of Barack Obama’s New Media team during the 2008 campaign\, he became the first Official White House Videographer\, a position created for him at the beginning of the Obama administration. Chaudhary traveled extensively with the President\, capturing public events and behind-the-scenes moments as well as producing and packaging presidential tapings for the Internet and broadcast television. He and his team set a new standard in documenting history\, delivering crucial images to the public from the road in real-time. Arun is the creator and architect of “West Wing Week”\, the first-ever online video diary of the White House. You can read about Arun’s time with Obama in this New York Times profile. After departing from the White House\, Chaudhary joined Revolution Messaging as a partner\, where he went on to help craft Senator Bernie Sanders’ game changing 2016 Presidential campaign as Creative Director. Arun’s work received extensive media coverage and praise\, including this Ozy profile\, “The Creative Genius Behind Bernie’s Revolution”\, and this New Yorker piece\, “How the Sanders’ Campaign got a Punk Sensibility”. In 2020\, Arun moved to Berlin with his family to focus on counter-programming the far-right globally and to work more closely in international elections/campaigns. \n\n\n\n  \n  URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-cevipol-seminar-the-filibuster-for-democracy-arun-chaudhary/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Other Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250428 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250429 DTSTAMP:20251217T141404Z CREATED:20251217T141147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T141404Z UID:2662-1745798400-1745884799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Forum: Europe's Vision on Responsible AI: Research\, Practice\, Policy DESCRIPTION:The Brussels Responsible AI Network (BRAIN) Forum is a one-day event that invites researchers\, practitioners\, and policymakers from Belgium and beyond to discuss the latest advances in AI and its societal implications. It is part of the BrIAS series of public forums. \nBRAIN brings together the three Belgian AI research programmes: \n\nthe AI for the Common Good Institute (FARI) in Brussels;\nthe Trusted AI Labs (TRAIL) of the Walloon and Brussels regions;\nand the Flanders AI Research programme (FAIR).\n\nSessions\nThe BRAIN Forum is structured around four sessions: \n\nThe research session provides an expert-driven overview of emerging trends in responsible AI.\nThe practice session explores practical perspectives on implementing responsible AI.\nThe policy session addresses Europe’s global position on responsible AI.\nThe networking session aims to foster collaboration among Belgian AI labs and provides a platform for participants to present their expertise and project ideas.\n\nProgram\n\n\n\n08:00\n\nDoors Open\n\n\n08:30\n09:00\nWelcome and Introduction\n\n\n09:00\n10:40\nSession 1 – Research\n\n\n10:40\n11:00\nCoffee Break\n\n\n11:00\n13:00\nSession 2 – Practice\n\n\n13:00\n14:00\nLunch\n\n\n14:00\n15:30\nSession 3 – Policy\n\n\n15:30\n16:00\nCoffee Break\n\n\n16:00\n17:30\nSession 4 – Networking\n\n\n17:30\n\nReception\n\n\n\n\nSession 1 – Research – Advancing Responsible AI: Developments at the Research Level\n\nThis session provides an expert-driven overview of emerging research trends in responsible AI. \n\n\n\n\n09:00\n09:25\nJerzy Stefanowski (Poznan University of Technology\, Poland)\n“The Role of Counterfactual Explanations: New Methods and Open Challenges”\n\n\n09:25\n09:50\nKostas Stefanidis (Tampere University\, Finland)\n“Responsible Recommender Systems”\n\n\n09:50\n10:15\nEirini Ntoutsi (Bundeswehr University Munich\, Germany)\n“From Single Focus to Intersectional Perspective: Tackling Multi-dimensional Discrimination in AI”\n\n\n10:15\n10:40\nWillem Zuidema (University of Amsterdam\, the Netherlands)\n“The Explanation Conundrum: Why XAI Methods Don’t Work Well Enough Yet for AI That Really Matters”\n\n\n\n\n\nSession 2 – Practice – Implementing Responsible AI: Approaches from Research Programs\, Academia\, and Industry\n\n\nThis session includes practical perspectives on responsible AI from the three Belgian AI research programs (FARI\, FAIR\, and TRAIL)\, academia\, and industry. \n\n\n\n11:00\n11:15\nTom Lenaerts (ULB\, Belgium)\n“If FARI Is the Answer\, What Was the Question?”\n\n\n11:15\n11:30\nPierre Geurts (ULiège\, Belgium)\n“The Perspective of TRAIL (Trusted AI Labs) on Responsible AI”\n\n\n11:30\n11:45\nSabine Demey (Flanders AI Research program and imec\, Belgium)\n“The Perspective of FAIR (Flanders AI Research program) on Responsible AI”\n\n\n11:45\n12:15\nAmbrish Rawat (IBM Research\, Ireland)\n“Securing Generative AI”\n\n\n12:15\n12:45\nPanagiotis Germanakos (SAP SE\, Germany)\n“Trust in AI: The Human-Computer Interaction Perspective”\n\n\n\n  \n\n\nSession 3 – Policy – Shaping Responsible AI: Europe’s Global Position on Responsible AI\n\n\nThis session includes presentations and a panel on the EU’s policy and strategic approach to responsible AI\, featuring insights from the European AI Office. \n\n\n\n14:00\n15:00\nOpening Statements\n\n\n\n\nMilena Machała (European AI Office)\n“The EU AI Strategy”\n\n\n\n\nYves Moreau (KU Leuven\, Belgium)\n“Dual-Use Research in the Horizon Program: Feeding an AI Arms Race?”\n\n\n\n\nSabine Demey (Flanders AI Research program and imec\, Belgium)\n“Responsible AI Is Crucial for Value Creation With AI at Scale”\n\n\n\n\nGrégory Lewkowicz (ULB\, Belgium)\n“Will the European Digital Omnibus Run Over Responsible AI?”\n\n\n\n\nBenoît Frénay (UNamur\, Belgium)\n“Implementing the AI Act: Mission Impossible?”\n\n\n\n\nPieter Libin (VUB\, Belgium)\n“Why We Need a CERN\, Not a Manhattan Project”\n\n\n15:00\n15:30\nPanel Discussion\n\n\n\n\nModerated by Rob Heyman (VUB\, Belgium)\n\n\n\n\n  \n\nSession 4 – Networking – Connecting for Responsible AI: Showcasing Project Ideas and Research Expertise\n\n\nThis session fosters networking among members of Belgium’s three AI research programmes and explores opportunities for collaboration. \n16:00 17:30 : Flash Presentations \n\nAxel Abels (ULB\, Belgium)\n01. “Wisdom From Diversity: Bias Mitigation Through Hybrid Human-LLM Crowds”\nAlessandra Calvi (VUB\, Belgium)\n02. “Enhancing AI Fairness Through Impact Assessment”\nBenoît Frénay (UNamur\, Belgium)\n03. “When Sign Language Meets AI: Interplay Between Societal Needs and Fundamental Research”\nAntonios Kontaxakis (ULB\, Belgium)\n04. “Optimization for Sustainable Development of AI Applications”\nYves Moreau (KU Leuven\, Belgium)\n05. “Towards an Ethical Culture in Technology: Educating STEM Students and Researchers”\nIkhtiyor Nematov (ULB\, Belgium)\n06. “Data Attribution: From Conventional ML to LLM”\nSeddouk Rachid\n07. “When Artificial Intelligence and Collective Intelligence Converge”\nApurva Shah (ULB & VUB\, Belgium)\n08. “Artificial Delegates Resolve Fairness Issues in Perpetual Voting With Partial Turnout”\nManel Slokom (CWI\, the Netherlands)\n09. “Personalized Post-Processing: How Input Data Shift Recommendation Diversity?”\nThomas Vandamme (ULB\, Belgium)\n10. “Algorithmic Confusion”\nJoost Vennekens (VUB\, Belgium)\n11. “Neurosymbolic AI for Social Cognition”\n\n  \n\n\nThe BRAIN Forum is co-organised by the Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies (BrIAS)\, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)\, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)\, AI for the Common Good Institute (FARI)\, and Université de Namur (UNamur)\, with funding from the Brussels Institute of Advanced Studies (BrIAS)\, the Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.–FNRS)\, and the European Union. URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-forum-europes-vision-on-responsible-ai-research-practice-policy/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250404 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250405 DTSTAMP:20251227T170232Z CREATED:20251227T170135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T170232Z UID:2813-1743724800-1743811199@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Forum: Smart Cities DESCRIPTION:Speakers\nVictoria De Meue (Innoviris\, Belgium) \nClimate-Neutral and Smart Cities EU Mission: The case of the Brussels-Capital Region \n  \nMaider Llaguno-Munitxa (UCLouvain\, Belgium) \nData Practices to assess urban environmental exposures \n  \nGiovanni Esposito (Université Libre de Bruxelles\, Belgium) \nSmart City Development as public entrepeneurship \n  \nGianluca Bontempi (Université Libre de Bruxelles\, Belgium) \nDigital Twins of urban mobility: Challenges and perspectives \n  \nHugues Bersini (Université Libre de Bruxelles\, FARI Chair\, Belgium) \nSmart Cities\, Algocracy and FARI \n  \nAlessandro Gambale (CEO at Buildwind\,Belgium) \nSmart Cities\, Clean Air: Artificial Intelligence and Computational Fluid Dynamics for Urban Air Quality assessment and Predictio URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-forum-smart-cities/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250314 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250315 DTSTAMP:20251227T154137Z CREATED:20251227T154101Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T154137Z UID:2809-1741910400-1741996799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Forum: Law and AI in Finance and Beyond DESCRIPTION:Description\nAI and Law intersect across diverse disciplines\, offering innovative solutions to complex legal challenges. From automating legal research to analyzing case laws\, AI enhances efficiency and precision in legal practices. This convergence also raises critical questions about ethics\, accountability\, and the need for robust regulatory frameworks. \nProgramme\n14:00 – 14:05 Welcome\n14:05 – 14:40 Opening Keynote: Law\, Ethics\, and AI: Shaping Responsible Technology – Prof. Sam Verboven\n14:40 – 15:20 Law and AI in the banking industry – Bertrand Bréhier (Head of Banking Regulation\, Financial Security and Competition Law – Société Générale Group)\n15:20 -16:00 Coffee break\n16:00 – 16:40 What AI Does to Law and What Law Should Do to AI – Prof. Gregory Lewkowicz\n16:40 – 17:20 Discussion \nSpeakers:\nSam Verboven is a Professor at the Data Analytics Lab Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His research is focused on developing analytical tools and algorithms that take into account the operational context\, domain expertise\, and business requirements of the application at hand. Specifically\, he has been working on causal machine learning and multi-task learning in finance\, HR\, marketing\, and healthcare.\nhttps://data.research.vub.be/sam-verboven  \n  \nGregory Lewkowicz is a professor at the University of Brussels and director of the Global Law Program of the Perelman Center. He holds the Alexandre Koyré Chair of Excellence in Economic Law and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. He is a visiting professor of global and transnational law at the Goethe Universität in Frankfurt and at HEC-Paris. He also teaches the interactions between law and technology at the Science Po Paris Law School as part of the Master in Economic Law and at Paris II Panthéon Assas as part of the diploma in digital transformation of law & legaltech. He is the scientific secretary of the collection “Penser le droit” (Larcier Editions)\, director of the Society of Global and Transnational Law (Geneva) and member of the digital pole of the Club des juristes (Paris).\nhttps://www.fari.brussels/researcher/gregory-lewkowicz \n  \nBertrand Bréhier is a Head of Banking Regulation\, Financial Security and Competition Law – Société Générale Group. URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-forum-law-and-ai-in-finance-and-beyond/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250306 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250307 DTSTAMP:20251227T171736Z CREATED:20251227T171736Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T171736Z UID:2857-1741219200-1741305599@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Speakers\nMarco Nicotra\, BrIAS Fellow (University of Colorado Boulder\, USA) \nSystematic Design of Control Barrier Functions using Dynamic Safety Margins \n  \nElias Fernández Domingos\, Junior BrIAS Fellow (Vrije Universiteit Brussel\, Belgium) \nDelegation to AI in a collective Risk Dilemma URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-13/ LOCATION:Brussels CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250227 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250228 DTSTAMP:20251227T171433Z CREATED:20251227T171433Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T171433Z UID:2855-1740614400-1740700799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Speakers\nAlessandra Parisio\, BrIAS Fellow (University of Manchester\, UK) \nOptimisation-based control of flexible resources in multi\nenergy networks \n  \nPanagiotis Symeonidis\, BrIAS Fellow (University of the Aegean\, Greece) \nChatGPT and AI for Medicine \n  URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-12/ LOCATION:Brussels CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250220 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250221 DTSTAMP:20251227T170930Z CREATED:20251227T170930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T170930Z UID:2853-1740009600-1740095999@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Speakers\nGuillaume Slizewicz (BrIAS-OHME Resident Artist\, Belgium) \nArtistic creation in the age of generative machines: an introduction to the creative exploration of AI\, automation and its impacts \n  \nMiguel Méndez (von Karman Institute\, Belgium) \nIntegrating Scientific Machine Learning in Fluid Dynamics Engineering URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-11/ LOCATION:Brussels CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250213 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250214 DTSTAMP:20251227T170742Z CREATED:20251227T170733Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T170742Z UID:2850-1739404800-1739491199@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Speakers\nAndrea Roli\, BrIAS Fellow (Università di Bologna\, Italy) \nDynamical criticality: from cells to robots \n  \nLuca Magri\, BrIAS Fellow (Imperial College London\, UK) \nScientific machine learning for chaotic forecasting and real-time digital twinning URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-10/ LOCATION:Brussels CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250206 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250208 DTSTAMP:20251227T153350Z CREATED:20251227T153251Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T153350Z UID:2799-1738800000-1738972799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS conference on Smart Agriculture (Agri2025) DESCRIPTION:The BrIAS Agri2025 aims to become a recurrent annual event for a multidisciplinary scientific community to present and discuss the most recent studies on smart agriculture. \nDescription\nSmart agriculture is rapidly transforming the way farming is practiced\, revolutionizing traditional agricultural systems through the integration of advanced technologies and data driven solutions. This shift is not only enhancing productivity but also helping address challenges like resource scarcity\, climate change\, and the need for sustainable farming practices. The role of smart agriculture is pivotal in both the current and future agricultural systems\, as it promises to improve efficiency\, sustainability\, and resilience. The BrIAS AGRI2025 conference will be dedicated at highlighting the current and future trends in Smart Agriculture\, and bridging this to the 5 FAO strategic objective or sustainability goals (reduce hunger\, sustainable agriculture\, reduce rural poverty\, inclusive agricultural systems\, increase resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses).\nIn today’s agricultural systems\, smart agriculture encompasses a variety of technological innovations that are increasingly being adopted by farmers. Precision agriculture\, one of the key components\, uses GPS\, IoT sensors\, drones\, and satellite imagery to monitor and manage crops more efficiently. For instance\, soil moisture sensors can provide real-time data about soil conditions\, enabling farmers to apply water\, fertilizers\, and pesticides only where they are needed. This results in optimal use of resources\, which can lead to higher yields while reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact.\nClimate change is another pressing issue\, and smart agriculture holds promise for adapting to shifting environmental conditions. Through the use of climate modelling\, farmers can receive real-time weather forecasts and adjust their practices to minimize losses due to extreme weather events like droughts\, floods\, and heatwaves. Moreover\, the development of drought-resistant and climate-resilient crops through genetic engineering\, combined with data-driven agricultural practices\, will allow farmers to maintain productivity even\nin adverse conditions. \nPROGRAM DAY 1\n8:30 – 9:00: Registration\n09.00 – 09.30: Opening ceremony and welcome\n\nProf. Emanuele Garone\, Université Libre de Bruxelles\nProf. David Cannella\, Université Libre de Bruxelles\nProf. Frank Deconinck\, Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies\nDr. Raschad Al-Khafaji\, Director FAO Brussels Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium\n\n09.30 – 10.10: Plenary lecture 1 (Room 1)\nModerator: Emanuele Garone\nPT1 Insects need smart promotion … or eradication.\nProf. Frédéric Francis\, Gembloux-Agro Bio Tech. \nParallel Session 1 – Advances in pests and diseases research (Room 1)\nModerators: Luca Rossini and Silvia Turco \n  \n\n10:20 – 10:40: T1 Extracting insect information from entomological museum collections to identify potential insect\npests and beneficials using deep learning methods.\nG. Noël\n10:40 – 11:00: T2 Development of Bruchus rufimanus Boheman 1833 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) at different temperatures with special emphasis on rearing and modelling approach. A. Segers\n\nParallel Session 2 – Advances in modelling in plant protection (Room 2)\nModerators: Irene Salotti and Yafit Cohen \n  \n\n10:20 – 10:40: T3 A win-win combination in plant disease prediction: field data to update model estimations\,\nestimations to drive field data collection.\nO. Benhamouche\n10:40 – 11:00: T4 Adaptation of a physiologically based model for predicting the phenology of Philaenus\nspumarius: first validation in Italian olive groves.\nZ. Sweidan\n\n\n11.00 – 11.30: Coffee break\n\nParallel Session 1 – Advances in pests and diseases research (Room 1)\nModerators: Luca Rossini and Silvia Turco \n  \n\n11:30 – 11:50: T5 Innovations and challenges in black soldier fly farming: Infrastructure\, automation\, and waste\nvalorization.\nH. Luttenschlager\n11:50 – 12:10: T6 A novel strain of Akanthomyces muscarius as a promising biological control agent\nagainst Toumeyella parvicornis.\nN. Di Sora\n12:10 – 12:30: T7 Improving management of emerging and re-emerging pests and diseases of Prunus persica (L.)\nBatsch.\nS. Turco\n12:30 – 12:50: T8 Characterizing spatiotemporal dynamics of biotic stresses to optimize sampling strategies in\nagricultural systems.\nR. Gafni\n\n\n  \nParallel Session 2 – Advances in modelling in plant protection (Room 2)\nModerators: Irene Salotti and Yafit Cohen \n  \n\n11:30 – 11:50: T9 A mechanistic\, five-step approach for prediction modelling: Alternaria-tomato pathosystem as\ncase study.\nI. Salotti\n11:50 – 12:10: T10 AI-Driven pest control: Sustainable agroecosystems through remote monitoring and predictive\nmodeling.\nR. Ascolese\n12:10 – 12:30: T11 Urban-agricultural interface: Impact of urban habitats on Mediterranean fruit fly dynamics in\ncitrus orchards.\nY. Cohen\n12:30 – 12:50: T12 Pest control SDSS – From academy to industry.\nA. Cohen\n\n12.50 – 14.00 Lunch break and poster session\nSession 3: Advances in plant health sensing (Room 1)\nModerators: Francesco Lamonaca and Valerio Cristofori \n  \n\n14:00 – 14:20: T13 GeoAI\, metrology and remote sensing for smart agriculture: Mapping land transformation and\nclimatic impacts to optimize crop resilience and water management in a Mediterranean region.\nA. Vitale\n14:20 – 14:40: T14 Integrating spatio-temporal vegetation indices with machine learning for dynamic maize field\nperformance monitoring: Development of a real-time crop monitoring framework.\nG. Ravid\n14:40 – 15:00: T15 Spectral-based weed detection across diverse environmental conditions.\nA. Prashar\n\n15.00 – 15.30: Coffee break\nSession 4: Advances in plant health sensing (Room 1)\nModerators: Francesco Lamonaca and Valerio Cristofori \n  \n\n15:30 – 15:50: T16 Moving towards regenerative agriculture: Advancements in remote sensing tools to measure\nsoils health regeneration.\nM. Silvestri\n15:50 – 16:10: T17 How to capture within-field heterogeneity across multi-year crop rotation: High-resolution\ninsights from sentinel-2. T. Kenda\n16:10 – 16:30: T18 A low-cost and AI-integrated imaging device for plant-parasitic nematodes quantification and\nclassification.\nG. Bi\n\n16:30 – 16:50: T19 Early detection of nutrient deficiencies: The hazelnut case-study\nV. Cristofori \n16.50 – 17.40: Plenary lecture 2 (Room 1)\nModerator David Cannella\nPT2 Plant defense priming.\nProf. Uwe Conrath\, RWTH Aachen University. \n19.00: Social dinner at Fondation Universitaire (11 Rue d’Edgemont\, 1000 Brussels)\nPROGRAM DAY 2\n8:30 – 9:00: Registration\n09.20 – 10.10: Plenary lecture 3 (Room 1)\nModerator David Cannella\nPT3 Agroecological models explained.\nDr. Niels Holst\, Aarhus University. \nParallel Session 5 – Robotics in precision farming (Room 1)\nModerators: Andrea Gasparri and Fabrizio Dabbene \n  \n\n10:20 – 10:40: T20 A control architecture for semi-autonomous robots in agriculture settings.\nJ. Marino\n10:40 – 11:00: T21 A robotic arm design for autonomous kiwi harvesting.\nN. Omodei\n\nParallel Session 6 – Technologies for sensing and phenotyping (Room 2)\nModerators: Luca Bascetta and Christian Hermans \n  \n\n10:20 – 10:40: T22 Automated X-ray plant phenotyping from seedlings to the field.\nG. Lehretz\n10:40 – 11:00: T23 Uncovering the role of Serendipita williamsii volatiles in establishing its own plant beneficial\nendophytic colonization: A parallel study of the headspace composition and mode of action.\nJ. Van Vooren\n\n11.00 – 11.30: Coffee break\nParallel Session 5 – Robotics in precision farming (Room 1)\nModerators: Andrea Gasparri and Fabrizio Dabbene \n  \n\n11:30 – 11:50: T24 A distributed framework for task allocation and safe coordination in networked multi-robot\nsystems for precision agriculture.\nA. Gasparri\n11:50 – 12:10: T25 Motion planning for an autonomous agricultural robot in unstructured terrain.\nF. Dabbene\n12:10 – 12:30: T26 Motion planning for agricultural tasks with robotic manipulators.\nG. Liu\n12:30 – 12:50: T27 Self-supervised local NBV planning for 3D plant reconstruction by a robot.\nJ. Ci\n\nParallel Session 6 – Technologies for sensing and phenotyping (Room 2)\nModerators: Luca Bascetta and Christian Hermans \n  \n\n11:30 – 11:50: T28 Using a digital twin of a tracked mobile robot for the design and validation of estimation and\ncontrol algorithms.\nL. Bascetta\n11:50 – 12:10: T29 RootForce 4.0: a review of the classical image processing pipeline for root system architecture\nof cereals.\nL. A. Torres-Cisneros\n12:10 – 12:30: T30 Constellr HiVE – A satellite constellation for monitoring diurnal temperature cycles and\nenabling smart agriculture.\nC. Lerot\n12:30 – 12:50: T31 Cellulose-derived oligosaccharides obtained by LPMO oxidation biostimulate tomato weight\,\ninflorescence\, and immunity through ethylene and ROS-free signalling\nD. Cannella\n\n12.50 – 14.00: Lunch break and poster session\nSession 7: Smart irrigation and soil biodiversity (Room 1)\nModerators: Luis Orihuela and José Maria Manzano \n  \n\n14:00 – 14:20: T32 Application and assessment of model-based leak localization methods in an irrigation network.\nL. Orihuela\n14:20 – 14:40: T33 Harnessing predictive data analytics of soil microbiota for enhanced bio-sustainability in\nagriculture.\nR. Pace\n14:40 – 15:00: T34 Design and deployment of a cloud platform for data-driven leak detection in agricultural\nirrigation systems.\nJ. M. Manzano\n\n15.00 – 15.30: Coffee break\nSession 8: Biostimulants and soil biodiversity (Room 1)\nModerators: David Cannella and Silvia Turco \n  \n\n15:30 – 15:50: T35 Leveraging rhizosphere microbial diversity and drought-tolerant bacterial isolates to enhance\nsoybean resilience in South Africa.\nA. S. Ayangbenro\n15:50 – 16:10: T36 Tailoring plant roots for enhanced nitrogen capture in soil.\nC. Hermans\n16:10 – 16:30: T37 Harnessing biostimulants for sustainable agriculture: A case study or Nurspray® in tomato\ncultivation.\nC. Leclef\n\n16.30 – 17.20: Plenary lecture 4 (Room 1)\nModerator: Emanuele Garone\nPT4 AgRobotics for smart agriculture.\nProf. Yael Edan\, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. \n17.20 – 17.30: Closing remarks (Room 1)\n17.30 – Get together with Italian-Belgian aperitive URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-conference-on-smart-agriculture-agri2025/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250130 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250131 DTSTAMP:20251227T162554Z CREATED:20251227T162554Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T162554Z UID:2841-1738195200-1738281599@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Speakers\nYilin Mo\, BrIAS Fellow (Tsinghua University\, China) \nData-Driven Learning of a Verifiable Controller Inspired by \nMPC \n  \nYailen Martínez Jiménez\, Junior BrIAS Fellow (Vrije Universiteit Brussel\, Belgium) \nApplication of Reinforcement Learning in different \nscheduling scenarios URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-9/ LOCATION:Brussels CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250123 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250124 DTSTAMP:20251227T162402Z CREATED:20251227T162402Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T162402Z UID:2838-1737590400-1737676799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Speakers\nAntonella Ferrara\, BrIAS Fellow (Università degli Studi di Pavia\, Italy) \nTraffic control for freeway networks and sustainability\nrelated objectives \n  \nRodolphe Sepulchre (KULeuven\, Belgium) \nRegulation without calibration URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-8/ LOCATION:Brussels CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250121 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250122 DTSTAMP:20251227T162211Z CREATED:20251227T144251Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T162211Z UID:2797-1737417600-1737503999@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS 2025 Opening Ceremony DESCRIPTION:The opening ceremony for the BrIAS 2025 programme on Sustainable Robotics\, AI and Automation. \nSpeakers\nWelcome\n\nMarius Gilbert\, Vice-rector of research and valorization (Université Libre de Bruxelles\, Belgium)\nPieter Ballon\, Vice-rector of research (Vrije Universiteit Brussel\, Belgium)\nFrank Deconinck\, BrIAS co-director (Vrije Universiteit Brussel\, Belgium)\nSerge Jaumain\, BrIAS co-director (Université Libre de Bruxelles\, Belgium)\n\nIntroduction to the 2025 BrIAS theme on Sustainable\nRobotics\, AI and Automation\n\nAnn Nowé\, BrIAS Programme Director (Vrije Universiteit Brussel\, Belgium)\nEmanuele Garone\, BrIAS Programme director (Université Libre de Bruxelles\, Belgium)\n\nRecital\nRecital by the talented musicians Simon Vaskou and Julien Olive. URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-2025-opening-ceremony/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241205 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241206 DTSTAMP:20251227T161516Z CREATED:20251227T161516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T161516Z UID:2833-1733356800-1733443199@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Speaker\nHiroki Ishizuka (Osaka University\, Japan) \nToward the Realization of Sensing Mimicking Skin-Nerve \nModels URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-7/ LOCATION:Brussels CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241126 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241127 DTSTAMP:20251227T161242Z CREATED:20251227T161242Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T161242Z UID:2830-1732579200-1732665599@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Seminar DESCRIPTION:Speaker\nAndrea Roli\, BrIAS Fellow (Università di Bologna\, Italy) \nA cybernetic perspective of adaptive robots URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-seminar-6/ LOCATION:Brussels CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240502 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240504 DTSTAMP:20251227T165644Z CREATED:20251227T142307Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T165644Z UID:2791-1714608000-1714780799@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Forum: War\, Peace & Robotics DESCRIPTION:General Chairs : Emanuele Garone (ULB)\, Mauro Birattari (ULB) Program Chair: Geert De Cubber (RMA)\nLogistics Chair: Anja Garone (VUB)\nMembers of the Program Committee : A. Vande Wouver (UMons)\, A. Cotorruelo (ULB)\, J. Thumfart (VUB). \nDescription\nThe first day will focus on “Peace” and in particular how robotics can help to “clear up” remnants of war and ensure a safe restart of life at peace. The first half day will be focusing on the theme “A safer sea” and will mostly deal with marine demining\, with a special attention to the innovation surrounding the Belgian Mine Counter Measures program. The second part of the day will deal with land demining. \nThe second day will focus on “War”\, and in particular on the Historical\, Ethical\, Legal\, and Geopolitical aspects of Robotics at War. The goal of this second day is to inform the public about the current policies as well as the various different perspectives and positions on the matter\, so as to stimulate an informed debate. Polemics for the sake of polemics and uninformed/acritical political statements should stay out of this day. \nSpeakers\nWelcome and Initial Remarks\n\nEmanuele Garone\, BrIAS Program Director (Université Libre\nde Bruxelles\, Belgium)\nSerge Jaumain\, BrIAS Co-Director (Université Libre de Bruxelles\, Belgium)\nFrank Deconinck\, BrIAS Co-Director (Vrije Universiteit Brussel\, Belgium)\nYves Dupont (Rector of the Royal Military Academy\, Belgium)\n\nThe Belgian Navy’s Vision on Naval Mine Countermeasures: innovative and revolutionary\n\nNicolas Van Damme (Belgian Navy)\n\nToward the mine countermeasures of tomorrow\n\nElmar Recker (Belgian Ministry of Defence)\n\nData Fusion and Computer vision challenges in Mine Countermeasures\n\nHiep Luong (Universiteit Gent\, Belgium)\n\nMaritime Robotic Demining: the rMCM toolbox and its future\n\nJeroen Debonnet (Exail Robotics\, Belgium)\n\nData Management in the context of MCM operation\n\nEmma Claeys (Dot.Ocean\, Belgium)\n\nMission Planning for multi-robot cooperative teams – Challenges and solutions for MCM operations\n\nEmanuele Garone\, BrIAS Programme Director (Université Libre\nde Bruxelles\, Belgium)\n\nRobotics Networks for Maritime Surveillance: challenges and opportunities\n\nGabriele Ferri (NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation\, Italy)\n\nThe European Defence Fund – Multi-annual planning: opportunities for underwater warfare and mine counter measures\n\nInge Ceuppens (European Defence Fund\, Belgium)\n\nRobotic Demining: case studies and objectives\n\nLuigi Fasano (European Defence Agency\, Belgium)\nJuan Jesús Diaz Hernández (European Defence Agency\, Belgium)\n\nExperiences from Military Demining Research Projects\n\nEmile Le Flecher (Royal Military Academy\, Belgium)\n\nHumanitarian Demining Innovation Landscape: A needs-based approach\n\nPedro Basto (Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining\, Switzerland)\n\nRemote-controlled multi-purpose platforms in the field of explosive threat mitigation\n\nDominic Graser (Global Clearing Solutions GCS\, Switzerland)\n\nRobotic Demining\, research experiences and challenges\n\nKoen Struyven (Space Application Services\, Belgium)\n\nThe use of robotics within the Belgian EOD group\n\nDavy Aendekerk (DOVO – EOD Unit of the Belgian Army)\n\nCurrent Situation and how current wars are affecting the programs on Autonomous Weapon Systems\n\nMirko Campochiari (ParabellumStori\, Italy)\n\nRobotic warfare: an evolution in military affairs\n\nAndrea Gilli (University of St Andrews\, UK)\n\nConcept of the land component concerning robotics & autonomous systems\n\nKoen Ceulemans (Belgian Army)\n\nThe ethics review of the proposals and the ethics requirements during the implementation\n\nInge Ceuppens (European Defence Fund\, Belgium)\n\nHow we dealt with Ethical issues in EU Projects\n\nGeert De Cubber (Royal Military Academy\, Belgium)\n\nOn the discourse on Autonomous Weapon Systems and Robots at War\n\nGregory Reichberg (Peace Research Institute Oslo\, Norway)\n\nAutonomous systems for legal and ethical control – The next best solution if an universal prohibition of LAWS fails?\n\nJohannes Thumfart (Vrije Universiteit Brussel\, Belgium)\n\nAutonomous Weapons Systems and Responsibility Gaps\n\nBorja Montes Toscano (NATO ACO Office of Legal Affairs\, Belgium)\n\nThe legal discussion on Autonomous Weapon Systems: a \nsearch of the humans in IHL?\n\nAnna Greipl (Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights\, Switzerland)\n\nThe clash of today’s tech culture and designer values\n\nAJung Moon\, BrIAS Fellow (McGill University\, Canada)\n\nAutomatomachia: science fiction and the future of war\n\nPierdomenico Memeo (Independent writer\, Italy) URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-forum-war-peace-robotics/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240502 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240503 DTSTAMP:20251229T102037Z CREATED:20251227T142752Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T102037Z UID:2793-1714608000-1714694399@brias.be SUMMARY:Concert: Simon Vaskou - War\, peace & robotics DESCRIPTION:At the reception of War\, Peace\, and Robots forum\, pianist Simon Vaskou regaled the audience with a 45 minute recital programme on the theme of the forum. The concert served as a moment not only for our participants to unwind and relax from the intense first day of the forum\, but to take a moment to reflect on the topic through carefully chosen music pieces that comment on the topic of the effect of war on society. URL:https://brias.be/event/concert-simon-vaskou-war-peace-robots/ LOCATION:BrIAS\, Boulevard Général Jacques 210\, Ixelles\, Brussels\, 1050\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Other Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240426 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240427 DTSTAMP:20251227T143437Z CREATED:20251227T143437Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T143437Z UID:2795-1714089600-1714175999@brias.be SUMMARY:BrIAS Forum: Human-Robot Collaboration DESCRIPTION:General Chair : Prof. An Jacobs (VUB)\, \nProgram Chair: Dr. Shirley Elprama (VUB) \nProgram Committee members: prof. dr. An Jacobs\, dr. Shirley Elprama\, prof. dr. Bernardo Innocenti\, Kristóf Takács \nDescription\n“How do we collaborate in a sustainable way with robotics in the future?” is the core topic of the field of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). As part of the Brias topic on sustainable robotics\, we are organizing a forum consisting of two workshops on two subfields: the domain of HRI in surgery and HRI in EU manufacturing companies. As part of this forum\, we will discuss the sustainability challenges of future Human-Robot interactions in these domains in-depth\, and we will co-create solutions with the attendees in a multidisciplinary setting. With the output of both workshops\, we want to synthesize a comparison of the debates in both subfields and will communicate these results to all participants and to the broader community. \n\nProgram\nHuman robot collaboration in surgery and healthcare\n08:30 – 09:00 – Arrival and coffee \n09:00 – 09:15 – Introduction (prof. dr. An Jacobs – imec-SMIT\, VUB and prof. dr. Bernardo Incenti ULB)  \n09:15 – 09:30 – The importance of sustainability goals in the surgical domain (Kristóf Takács & prof. dr. Tamas Heidegger – Óbuda University) \n09:30 – 09:40  – Q&A \n09:40 – 09:55 – Robotic knee surgery (prof. dr. Bernardo Innocenti – ULB & KU Leuven) \n09:55 – 10:05 – Q&A \n10:05 – 10:20  – Insights from workshop on sustainability goals (dr. An Jacobs – imec\, SMIT – VUB) \n10:20 – 10:40 – Short break \n10:40 – 10:55 –   Sustainability goals at Idevax – Rob-id (Koen Beyers – Idevax) \n11:10 – 11:25  –  Sustainability goals at ORSI Academy (dr. Nicola Frego – ORSI Academy) \n11:25 – 12:30 – Panel discussion led by dr. Carl Mörch with previous speakers \n12:30 – 13:30 –  Lunch break & arrival participants afternoon session \n  \nHuman robot collaboration in EU manufacturing companies\n13:30 – 13:40 –  Introduction (prof. dr. An Jacobs – imec\, SMIT – VUB) \n13:40 – 13:55 –  The importance of sustainability goals in the production domain (dr. Marta Lorenzini – Italian Institute of Technology)  \n13:55 – 14:05 – Q&A \n14:05 – 14:20 –  HRI in production context  (dr. Shirley A. Elprama – imec-SMIT\, VUB & FARI) \n14:20 – 14:30  – Q&A \n14:30 – 15:00 – Short break \n15:00 – 15:15 – Sustainable Robotics in Production Environments: Navigating Challenges and Achieving Innovations (Sharath Chandra – PROFACTOR) \n15:15 – 15:25 – Q&A \n15:25 – 15:45  – Universal Design as Sustainable Design of Service Robots (prof. dr. AJung moon – McGill University) \n15:45 – 15:55 – Q&A \n15:55 – 16:30 – Group discussion: brainstorm with the audience about SDG’s in relation to human robot collaboration in production (prof. dr. An Jacobs – imec\, SMIT – VUB) \n16:30 – Closing remarks (dr. Shirley A. Elprama – imec\, SMIT – VUB & FARI) \n16:30 – 17:30 – Reception \n\nFor in-person attendance\, as well as online attendance of the webinar\, registration is necessary. This Forum will also be live-streamed on our Youtube channel @BrIAStalks URL:https://brias.be/event/brias-forum-human-robot-collaboration/ LOCATION:FARI Institute\, Cantersteen 16\, Brussels\, 1000\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Programme Events END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR