The Blackholistic Early Career Scientist Workshop is the first dedicated meeting for junior researchers in the Blackholistic collaboration.

This meeting will take place at the Soeterbeeck Conference Center in Ravenstein near Nijmegen, The Netherlands, between January 27 and 30, 2026.

Registration and abstract submission are now open until the end of Monday, December 8th.

Rationale

The goal of this workshop is to promote collaboration among the early careers scientists - PhD students and postdocs - across the various “BlackHolistic” research groups at the University of Amsterdam, the University of Oxford, the University of Namibia, the University of Turku,  and Radboud University.

During this meeting we will identify our scientific goals and potential “BlackHolistic” projects for the upcoming years. In addition, we aim to learn from each other different tools and techniques used in our research via a series of discussion sessions and tutorials.

Meeting Structure 

The structure of the workshop will consist of:

1. A series of short oral presentations by the PhDs/PDs in attendance, with emphasis not just on their past results but what are their next goals and which questions/problems they are hoping to answer in the next year.

2. 1-2 people are expected to chair each session and specifically write down any new topics and suggestions that arise during the Q&A that will be addressed during the “discussion” sessions of the workshop (more info to come when the final schedule of topics is provided).

3. A discussion session to “refine” the questions we hope to answer (as the examples described in the “scientific rationale”), and to identify each new topic arising from the presentations). In this session we will decide how to divide in subgroups the following day.

4. A day of discussions according to interest/expertise and time to have some hands-on tutorial(s) so PhDs/PDs can learn from each other. Some potential examples: how to make a SED from a GRMHD slice, how to use dynamical imaging techniques, how to handle x-ray variability data, how to use RAPTOR, “BHjets”...

5. A final morning when all the information we have gathered during the workshop will be put together, potential new papers and projects can be defined for the future. Potentially, some senior scientist of our collaboration will be attending this last discussion (online or in person). 

Given the nature of the workshop as a face-to-face meeting, physical attendance is expected since we will be splitting into subgroups for discussions and promote collaboration among the PhD/PDs. However for the presentations sessions, Q&A and final day of conclusions joining online can be requested.

Registration

At the bottom of this page you can find a link to the registration form. 1 or 2 weeks after the registration period ends, Radboud University will email the participants the information on how to pay the registration fee via credit card.

The 50 EURO registration fee includes: lunches and coffee breaks for the 4 days of the conference, 2 dinners and social activity.

Accommodations

Once you register we will secure your accommodations at the venue in Soeterbeeck. If you had already pre-registered we already made the reservations for you (check-in January 27, check-out January 30) . Radboud University will directly bill your institution for the accommodation charges during your stay (room+breakfast). 

Local Organizing Committee

Raquel Fraga-Encinas (chair), Renze Oosterhuis, Bram van den Berg.

Any questions about the conference can be directed to: r.fraga@astro.ru.nl