AI in self-driving cars won the FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix

"I was so surprised, I wasn't expecting it," says Houda Rafi just after being awarded the first prize in the new FORTHEM research presentation competition. She is a PhD student in computer science at the University of Burgundy, France. Her mission is to develop AI models capable of interpreting how drivers truly feel about self-driving car technology by analysing their natural responses while driving. She also has a lab called IMVIA Lab.

Rafi was one of 11 contestants from six universities in the European University Alliance FORTHEM. . In just four minutes, each participant presented their research in a manner that was easy to understand and relevant. This is the first time for the alliance to organise a final for PhD students, and the participants come from the University of Burgundy i France, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz  in Germany, University of Opole in Poland, University of Jyväskylä in Finland, University of Latvia in Riga and the University of Agder. 

Live streaming across Europe

"You show great passion for your project," said the jury, awarding a full score for her presentation. She also received enthusiastic applause and many digital votes from the audience in Kristiansand. The event was streamed to universities within the alliance across Europe and to other interested audiences.

See recording of the event

"My grandmother watched the stream in our family home in France. She didn't understand my English presentation but was so happy for me when we spoke on the phone afterwards," Rafi says with a broad smile. 

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To be or not to be? 

Elena Suárez Cronauer quoted Shakespeare’s famous words in her presentation. She belongs to the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz. Her research focuses on digital humanities and data feminism through 19th-century correspondences.

"This was a great experience, and it was really cool to be part of the FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix and meet PhD colleagues from all over Europe," says Cronauer. 

"For us researchers it’s necessary to get the right tools so we are able to present our research for a broader audience," says Imants Krēziņš, from the University of Latvia. His project is to measure the efficiency of business incubators.

Across borders 

Dr. Nicole Birkle is General Secretary of the FORTHEM Alliance and was a part of the competition's jury. Her task was to explore and evaluate the research part of the presentations. Stage director, Ingrid Forthun, provided feedback on the stage performances, while journalist Aleksandra Koskalka, from the newspaper Fædrelandsvennen, focused on the storytelling elements and the relevance of the research.

"It’s so important for FORTHEM to equip young researchers with international experience, and such a competition is a great opportunity for building networks across borders and disciplines," says Birkle, hoping that the alliance can make the Researcher Grand Prix into a regular tradition.

Great development 

Each of the universities held their own finals throughout the autumn, and the respective winners went on to compete against each other in a European final. All 11 victors gathered in Kristiansand for three days of practice sessions and coaching in presentation skills. 

"I’ve seen a great development among the participants. From participating locally at each university to being here in Kristiansand and gaining confidence and sharpening their communication skills through practice. This is a fantastic opportunity for our PhD candidates which they otherwise wouldn’t have gotten," says Michael Ormshaw, FORTHEM coordinator at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland.

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