Workshop on the Intersections of Computation and Optimisation

Dates: 22–25 November 2021
Venue: Mathematical Sciences Institute, Hanna Neumann Building, ANU; Canberra, ACT

This workshop intends to bring together researchers from the areas of computation, optimisation, computing sciences and engineering interested in the cross- fertilization of ideas around the following theme:

Optimisation often faces unique issues when there is a need to efficiently compute. On the other hand, computational techniques at times utilise optimisation within their algorithms. Both areas fundamentally need to understand approximation in all its facets which is also fundamental to computation as are the associated notions of convergence. Indeed, recent research has blurred the boundaries between optimisation (continuous and discrete), computation and areas of computing science. The area of machine learning has crept into relevance everywhere. Recently research has turned to its use in computational techniques including the enhancement optimisation algorithms and the cycle of cross fertilization of ideas has continued to date.

Workshop Format

We intend to run the workshop in a blended format, involving a face to face component which will be held at the ANU mathematics school in conjunction with a simultaneous/parallel online format to which both group of participants will engage. Some keynotes will present in person (streamed online from ANU) and other will engage totally online in a remote format. We encourage local and international participants to take part in the online workshop. In addition to their keynote presentations, keynotes who will be invited to give a lectorial-discussion session that will promote research questions and engage emerging researchers in these areas.

Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Gerlind Plonka-Hoch (University of Goettingen, Germany)
• Prof. Frances Kuo (UNSW)
• Prof Stefan Wild (Argonne, USA)
• Prof Stephen Wright (Wisconsin. USA)
• Prof. Ian Turner (QUT)
• Prof. Claudia Sagastizabal (IMECC-Unicamp and CEMEAI, Brazil)
• Prof Martin Berggren (Umeå University, Sweden)

Plenary Speakers

Numerical analysis

• Santiago Badia (Monash University)
• Jerome Droniou (Monash University)
• Ulrich Rüde (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany)

Solar / Fusion

• Amitava Bhatarcharajee (Princeton University)
• Michael Wheatland (University of Sydney)
• Paul Cally (Monash University)

Geophysics

• Phil Cummins (Australian National University)
• Alice-Agnes Gabriel (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany)
• Dave Lee (Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne, Australia)

Earth Systems Science

• Matthias Cuntz (INRAE, French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment)
• Clint Dawson (University of Texas at Austin, USA)
• Andy Hogg (Australian National University)

Organising Committee

• Professor Matthew Hole (Co-Chair, MSI)
• Adelle Wright (Co-Chair and Program Chair, MSI)
• Associate Professor Linda Stals (MSI)
• Kenneth Duru (MSI)
• Noa Kraitzman (MSI)

Local organising Committee

• Prof. Andrew Eberhard (RMIT) andy.eberhard@rmit.edu.au
• Prof. Stephen Roberts (ANU) stephen.roberts@anu.edu.au
• Prof. Markus Hegland (ANU) markus.hegland@anu.edu.au
• Dr. Lindon Roberts (ANU) lindon.roberts@anu.edu.au
• Dr. Quoc Thong Le Gia (UNSW) qlegia@unsw.edu.au
• Dr. Vera Roshchina (UNSW) v.roshchina@unsw.edu.au
• Dr. Matthew Tam (UniMelb) matthew.tam@unimelb.edu.au
• Dr. Nadia Sukhorukova (Swinburne) nsukhorukova@swin.edu.au
• A/Prof. Guoyin Li (UNSW) g.li@unsw.edu.au
• Dr. Julien Ugon julien.ugon@deakin.edu.au

Important dates:

• Registration is Free and Now Open: ANU WICO event page
• Workshop Dates: 22/11/2021 to 25/11/2021

Future Announcements and Grants:

We also wish to draw female participants attention to the possibility of applying for the WIMSIG Cheryl E. Praeger Travel Award (support for attending conferences/visiting collaborators) and/or the WIMSIG Anne Penfold Street Awards (support for caring responsibilities while attending conferences/visiting collaborators).

Code of conduct

The Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI) Special Year is committed to ensuring all workshops, conferences and seminars are accessible to a diverse range of participants. We aim to create a safe, respectful and supportive environment to allow free flow of information, discussions and ideas. All staff and students have the right to be treated with courtesy, fairness and professionalism. Discriminatory or harassing behaviour will not be tolerated.

An essential part of maintaining a safe and respectful work environment is to ensure that individuals report any witnessed or experienced discrimination or harassment to the organisers, or to a member of the MSI staff. If you would like to contact the department anonymously, please email admin.research.msi@anu.edu.au.

We ask all participants to review the ANU Code of Conduct and maintain the principles of the document for the duration of the workshop.