PhaseCAP: Phase Transitions in Combinatorics, Algorithms, Probability

In the second half of 2026, the following researchers will team up to organize the PhaseCAP research semester programme: Ferenc Bencs (CWI), Jop Briët (CWI), Serte Donderwinkel (RU Groningen), Carla Groenland (TU Delft), Ross Kang (Univ of Amsterdam), Noela Müller (TU Eindhoven), Guus Regts (Univ of Amsterdam).

Summary

How can we understand the underlying structure of a large-scale network? What local constraints impact the running time of an algorithm? In recent years physics intuition has become fruitful in tackling such questions. Key to this is the notion of a phase transition, that is, a drastic change in macroscopic behaviour (e.g. matter changing from frozen to liquid at some critical temperature) in models governed by local interactions. We aim to connect different communities –combinatorics, algorithms and probability– through the lens of such transitions. This will be achieved through three interactive 4-day workshops focused on problem-solving and collaboration.

This Research Semester Programme is organized by:

Ferenc Bencs (CWI), Jop Briët (CWI), Serte Donderwinkel (Groningen University), Carla Groenland (TU Delft), Ross Kang (University of Amsterdam), Noela Müller (TU Eindhoven), Guus Regts (University of Amsterdam).

More information will follow.