WIAS and our partner institute, ZUKO (Zukunftskolleg at the University of Konstanz, Germany), have been implementing a bilateral exchange program to foster research collaboration. Here is the first report from Assistant Professor LI Jialong, the third WIAS researcher to utilize the program and who is currently staying at ZUKO. In this article, he presents his motivation for this program, research activities and daily experiences there so far.
ZUKO and WIAS Network Research Visits program report AY2025: vol. 1 (Assistant Professor LI Jialong)
Motivation
I applied for this program because both the University of Konstanz and the Zukunftskolleg are renowned for their strong interdisciplinary culture, which aligns perfectly with my own research style, as my work sits at the intersection of Software Engineering (SE), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
Before applying, I researched the ongoing work here and discovered fascinating interdisciplinary projects, such as using software engineering methods to verify the consistency of legal documents. This resonated strongly with my own idea of applying software engineering techniques to analyze and interpret user agreements and privacy policies, and to verify whether the actual behavior of the code complies with these textual descriptions. I was drawn to the unique environment at the Zukunftskolleg, believing that this diverse academic atmosphere would provide the ideal setting to explore these converging fields and spark new ideas that transcend traditional boundaries.
Daily Life
My stay in January has been incredibly smooth, thanks to the meticulous administrative support at the Zukunftskolleg. On the academic side, I have participated in the weekly “Jour Fixe” meetings, as well as talked with researchers from diverse backgrounds during lunch and coffee breaks. I am also scheduled to give a formal presentation on my research several weeks later.
Life in Konstanz is deeply connected to nature, which I find very refreshing. While taking the bus to the university is the most convenient option, I sometimes prefer a one-hour hike to the campus in the mornings to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Lake Constance (Bodensee). In the afternoons, when I need a break from research, a short 15-minute walk to the lakeside helps me clear my mind and recharge.
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- The view on the way towards the university campus ／大学キャンパスへ向かう途中の景色
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- A serene winter view from a pier on Lake Constance／ ボーデン湖の桟橋から望む冬の静かな風景
Future Plan
In January, we primarily focused on exchanging our research backgrounds and identifying shared interests. For the remaining month, we plan to engage in more in-depth technical discussions to explore how to better integrate formal software analysis techniques into the HCI domain. Our final ambition is to pioneer new research avenues and lay the groundwork for a sustainable collaboration in the future.
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- A warm welcome message from the Zukunftskolleg office／事務所からの温かい歓迎メッセージ
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- My comfortable office space at the Zukunftskolleg／ 快適なオフィススペース
<< To see the articles from AY 2024*, please click here. (*by Assistant Professor HUNG Shao-Min)
