After deciding to hold the conference every two years, ISY’s PhD conference returned in 2024 with its focus on presenting the research at the department. The initiative was started in 2022 by, among others, the director of PhD studies, Mark Vesterbacka. According to Vesterbacka, the conference is above all an excellent opportunity for new PhD students to gain a deeper insight into the research conducted at ISY, but also to share their experiences with others.
Prize for Best Presentation
The day offered PhD students a great opportunity to develop their skills in presenting their research. Earlier in the year, those who registered were offered presentation courses by senior researchers at ISY. During the conference, the presentations were divided into different sessions led by chairs. These chairs were also PhD students from ISY and had, in turn, taken courses in leading presentations from senior researchers.
In total, 14 interesting presentations were held from various divisions, but only one could become the winner of this year’s best presentation. And the winner was Theodor Westny with his presentation Diffusion-based generative trajectory forecasting.
Jury's Nomination
This year’s jury consisted of Professor Emeritus Robert Forchheimer, ISY, Robert Hägglund, Head of Radio Frequency and Mixed-signal Integrated Circuits at Ericsson, and Robert Malmqvist, Associate Professor/Senior Scientist, FOI, who had the following to say in their nomination:
“Theodor Westny's presentation of in the field of generative trajectory forecasting was a gem at the conference, marked by a clear problem formulation and a well-guided narrative that made complex information accessible and engaging. He adeptly integrated prior art and his own contributions to enrich the audience's understanding, demonstrating his expertise. His interactive approach and friendly, efficient responses to questions further enhanced the learning experience for everyone involved, making his session a highlight of the event.”