Header Image, Alice and Eve 2025 at RUG

Welcome to our free one-day workshop for celebrating women studying and working in computing! Alice & Eve aims to bring together talents in the field of computing. The sixth edition of this workshop will be hosted on 31 October 2025 by the University of Groningen.

Alice and Eve event is inspired by the BCS Lovelace Colloquium that started in 2008. For more details about earlier editions of Alice & Eve, see the websites of 2020, 2021, 2022 , 2023, 2024.

The event is held during a single day, and features:

Join us, and participate to our poster contest on the topic of your choice!

Date:

Alice & Eve will take place on October 31, 2025.

Venue:

The workshop will be held on Zernike campus in Bernoulliborg on the first floor, Groningen.

Registration:

The registration is free and includes coffee breaks, lunch and drinks. We welcome everyone of all genders, from bachelor students to full professors, to attend the event.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!

Program

Time All talks and Panel discussion will be in room 5161.0151
09:30 - 10:00 Welcome coffee
10:00 - 10:10 Opening: Kerstin Bunte, Univeristy of Groningen
Welcome address: Joost Frenken, Dean Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen
10:10 - 10:40 Talk: Natasha Maurits (University Medical Center Groningen) - Finding hidden patterns in neurological data
I will give a general introduction on patterns in data and different types of algorithms one can use to analyze data. Then I will give some examples of my research where machine learning algorithms are used as pattern finding algorithms. Applications are in diagnosing ataxia in children and in predicting bradykinesia scores in Parkinson patients, using video and sesor data. If there is time, I might also talk about generating artificial EEG data using neural networks.
10:40 - 11:10 Talk: Estefania Talavera (University of Twente) - Towards human behavior understanding from videos
Understanding human behavior from visual data is becoming increasingly relevant as we move toward technologies that can perceive, interpret, and assist people in daily life. First-person and third-person videos offer complementary perspectives on human actions and interactions, capturing both how we experience the world and how we are perceived by others. These viewpoints open new opportunities to study social interactions, attention, and intention in natural environments. In this talk, I will present how my research explores these perspectives to advance human behavior understanding and support the development of intelligent, human-centered assistive systems.
11:10 - 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:00 Talk: Laura Marchal Crespo (Delft University of Technology) - Towards usable, meaningful, and sustainable robotic rehabilitation
The recovery of sensorimotor functions after an acquired brain injury requires a long, highly intense, and repetitive training program. Several new technologies have been developed to support this highly demanding training, among the most prominent being robotic devices and virtual reality. Recently, there has been an increased interest in minimally supervised and unsupervised rehabilitation to increase therapy dosage in group therapy and complement conventional therapy at patients’ homes. These new inventions should be co-created between different stakeholders if we aim to facilitate their usability and acceptance by the final user. In this talk, I will present how we follow a human-centered design approach to design highly intuitive and usable technology to provide a rich, high-fidelity, multisensory rehabilitation experience in minimally supervised environments.
12:00 - 12:30 Talk: Giulia Biagioni (TNO) - Bridging Trust and Semantics: Enhancing AI Reliability with Description Logics
Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being deployed in critical domains where reliability and explainability are paramount. However, the semantic gap between symbolic knowledge representation and data-driven models remains a key challenge. This talk explores how Description Logics can bridge trust and semantics, providing a formal backbone for transparent, interoperable, and verifiable systems. I will discuss the role of ontologies in ensuring machine-understandable semantics, their impact on interoperability across domains, and how hybrid approaches can strengthen the alignment between symbolic reasoning and statistical learning. By combining semantic rigor with scalable AI methods, we can foster systems that are not only powerful but also trustworthy, paving the way for more resilient and transparent applications in domains such as cloud federation, cultural heritage, and beyond.
12:30 - 14:00 Lunch & Poster Competition (room 134) & Exhibition & Demo (room 162 & 165)
14:00 - 14:45 Sponsor Lightning Talks
Rebecca Andrei (BetterBe) - Transforming Automotive Leasing Worldwide
Automotive leasing is a highly challenging and regulated market. We look closely at the solution of these challenges, and future steps, through BetterBe.
Tania Bogatsch (DuckDB) - DuckDB - Why systems engineering is cooler than AI
(Database) systems engineering does not have the shiniest reputation in the computer science landscape. Despite the title, my aim with this talk is not to bash AI, rather, I want to showcase a less visible discipline. Databases are a vital component in most businesses and making things faster and smaller can be a lot of fun. Thus, let’s have a quick dive into some of the aspects of database systems engineering, with a little detour into open-source development.
Yang Soo Kloosterhof (Powerchainger) - Revealing the potential of smart meter data
Smart meter data is becoming a cornerstone in shaping the energy system of tomorrow. By providing high-resolution, real-time information on energy consumption, it unlocks flexibility, enables better demand forecasting, and grows customer value. This data-driven approach supports better decision-making by utilities, regulators, and consumers. Grounded in scientific research, we advance analytical methods while universities prepare the next generation of data scientists. At Powerchainger, we drive innovation by creating novel data platforms, predictive algorithms, and intelligent energy analytics for transitioning towards a smarter, fairer, and more sustainable energy future.
14:45 - 15:15 Talk: Sara Colombo (Delft University of Technology) - Rethinking Objectivity in Data and AI through a Feminist Lens
We tend to assume that data is objective and even unquestionable truth, also as we leverage it in AI to uncover patterns, make predictions, and drive decisions. Too often, we treat data as neutral and universal knowledge, ignoring the systems and perspectives that shape it. Critical computing and feminist epistemology challenge this view, exposing how claims of objectivity can hide bias and exclusionary practices and silence lived experience in data-driven technologies. I argue that questioning what counts as “data” and whose data count is not a distraction from scientific and technological advancement but is essential to it. By embedding plurality, participation, and transparency into data-driven systems and AI, we can design technologies that reflect human complexity rather than erase it, opening the way for more inclusive and just forms of progress.
15:15 - 15:45 Coffee Break
15:45 - 16:15 Talk: Suzan Bayhan (University of Twente) - Towards More Sustainable Mobile Networks
Wireless networks have significant potential to reduce environmental impact across key sectors, such as transportation and agriculture, by enabling smarter decision-making and enhancing efficiency through data collection and processing. However, the environmental costs of the communication networks themselves must not be overlooked. With the ITU-T’s and EU’s goals to cut the emissions significantly (e.g., around 50%) across all sectors by 2030, it is paramount to examine the sustainability of mobile networks which we rely on increasingly. In this talk, I will present the latest efforts to make mobile networks more sustainable with a particular focus on energy efficiency and share some highlights from our research on the potential of infrastructure sharing towards more sustainable mobile networks.
16:15 - 16:25 Poster Awards
16:25 - 17:10 Panel: The Future of Computing
Moderator: Petra Rudolf (University of Groningen)
Speakers: Mariëlle Stoelinga (University of Twente and Radboud University), Lynda Hardman (CWI), Suzan Bayhan (University of Twente)
17:10 - 18:00 Goodbye Drinks

Poster Contest

We invite all female students (Bachelor/Master/PhD) and early career researchers of computing and related subjects (in the broadest sense) to submit a poster. The poster could be on any computing topic they like: from social networking to quantum computing and from medical image processing to formal verification. This year, twenty posters were short listed for display during the event and the two best posters are:

Mae Sosto: QueerGen: How LLMs Reflect Societal Norms On Gender And Sexuality In Sentence Completion Task

Sinem Mustacoglu: Analyzing Methods and Metrics for Distinguishing the Human from the Artificial in Creative Domains: A Systematic Review

Congratulations!

Exhibition

In addition to the keynote talks and the posters, there will be an exhibition which portrays thirty women in computing and their most important contributions.

Some highlights of the exhibition:

More information can be found at the exhibition booklet.

Fantastic coding games and media - which include videos and podcasts related to women in computing - are also offered.

Speakers

We have invited some inspiring women working on the cutting edge of computing. Confirmed keynote speakers include:

Jobs Board

During the conference, there will be the possibility for attendees to advertise open positions in their university/company. Furthermore, participants looking for jobs are also welcome to post their credentials and type of job/internship they are looking for. Job postings are under the following rules:

Organizing Committee

Steering committee

Code of Conduct

Alice and Eve is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference at the discretion of the conference organizers. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible by contacting us ether in person or via email.

This Code of Conduct was adapted from the Geek Feminism Wiki anti-harassment policy.

Sponsors

We are currently looking for sponsors. Contact Raffaella Carloni for more information and a discussion on how your organization could support the 6th Alice and Eve workshop.

Logo VERSEN
Logo BetterBe
Logo DuckDB Foundation
Logo powerchainger
Logo TNO
Logo SIDN Labs
Logo CWI
Logo ASCI
Logo siks
Logo NWO
Logo BI

Hosted by

Logo RUG

Contact Us

For questions regarding the workshop, please contact the organizers!

About Groningen

Groningen is the capital city and main municipality of the province of Groningen, located in the northeast of the Netherlands. With a population of approximately 245,000, it is the largest urban center in the region. Despite its size, Groningen remains a relatively undiscovered and unspoiled part of the country, known for preserving its authenticity and charm.

The city is frequently ranked among the happiest in Europe. In a recent European Commission survey, Groningen was named the third happiest city, with 96% of residents expressing satisfaction with life in the city. It consistently earns high marks in education, public spaces, healthcare, and air quality.

Founded as early as the 3rd century BC, Groningen has evolved into a lively and modern academic hub, while proudly maintaining its historical identity and welcoming atmosphere.

Want to know more about Groningen? Visit www.visitgroningen.nl.

Accommodation

Although the Alice & Eve event is a one-day program, we warmly encourage you to consider extending your stay into a long weekend. This will give you the opportunity to enjoy the city, connect with fellow participants, and make the most of your visit in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere.

To facilitate your travel planning, we have pre-reserved a number of rooms at the hotels below. Where available, you may use the promotional codes provided. If no code is listed, simply mention your participation in the Alice & Eve workshop.

Hotel Name Address Room Type Rates (€) Breakfast City Tax Promotion Code
Martini HotelGedempte Zuiderdiep 8Small double room (1pax)109.50incl.4.00 p.p.p.n
Small double room (2pax)129.50incl.4.00 p.p.p.n
Standard double room (1pax)129.50incl.4.00 p.p.p.n
Standard double room (2pax)149.50incl.4.00 p.p.p.n
The Market HotelGrote Markt 31Single room180.00incl.incl.AliceenEve15
Superior room139.00incl.incl.
Deluxe room149.00incl.incl.
Hotel Schimmelpenninck HuysOosterstraat 53Cosy room - single occupancy105.0022.505.00 p.p.p.n
Charme room single occupancy115.0022.505.00 p.p.p.n
Charme room double occupancy169.0022.505.00 p.p.p.n
Leonardo Hotel Groningen City CenterGedempte Kattendiep 25Comfort Room119.00 (20.00 additional guest)incl.4.00 p.p.p.n
Superior Room139.00 (20.00 additional guest)incl.4.00 p.p.p.n
The Happy TravelerKleine Kromme Elleboog 5Room single occupancy120.00incl.incl.
Asgard HotelGanzelvoortsingel 2-1Single room119.0018.50incl.