Post by Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica

What makes a good research week? Not just results, but the connections that make them possible. Last week, CWI and partner universities organized the Combinatorics Problem-Solving Workshop, part of the Research Semester Programme PhaseCAP: Phase Transitions in Combinatorics, Algorithms, and Probability. The workshop brought together an international group of researchers to work intensively on open problems at the intersection of combinatorics, algorithms, and probability. As co-organizer Guus Regts (UvA) reflects, the main value is not always immediate breakthroughs: “You work in diverse groups on problems, get to know new people, and gain new insights into questions you hadn’t seen before.” These interactions often plant the seeds for future results, sometimes quickly, sometimes over a longer period. As he notes, ideas developed during a previous workshop have already led to a likely solution shortly afterwards. Another highlight this week was the public plenary session with Penny Haxell (University of Waterloo) and Rob Morris (IMPA). With thanks to the organizers and all participants who contributed to an open, collaborative atmosphere throughout the week. Pictures: CWI/Paul Roberts, Carla Groenland and Carla van Asperen.