From 18–20 March 2026, doctoral researchers gathered in Braunschweig for a three-day workshop combining scientific exchange, professional development, and networking opportunities. The event brought together PhD students from across the project to deepen their knowledge in aeroacoustics while strengthening connections within the research community.

A particular highlight of the workshop was the lecture series delivered by Prof. Stéphane Moreau from the Université de Sherbrooke in Canada. Prof. Moreau is one of the world’s leading aeroacousticians, with remarkable visibility, not least due to a very high number of highly distinguished publications. We were especially pleased to once again attract such a highly renowned guest to the Winter School.  His sessions covered key topics including an introduction to aircraft noise, Curle’s analogy for airfoil noise, and the role of wall-pressure fluctuations as a bridge between aeroacoustics, vibroacoustics, and aeroelasticity. These lectures provided participants with both foundational understanding and advanced insights into current research challenges in the field.

Complementing the scientific program, dedicated “Focus & Connect” sessions were held throughout the workshop. These interactive blocks created space for participants to concentrate on their own research while engaging in discussions with peers, exchanging feedback, and identifying opportunities for collaboration. The format encouraged both productivity and community-building, making it a core element of the event.

The event also included a workshop on research data management, with a particular focus on the tools used in SynTrac, offering participants practical, hands-on guidance on how to effectively handle, organize, share, and preserve scientific data throughout the research lifecycle. SynTrac puts a special emphasis on applying the FAIR principles, ensuring that data are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

In addition, career talks gave participants the opportunity to explore different professional pathways and gain insights into career development beyond their PhD. These sessions were enriched by personal reflections from our guest Stéphane Moreau as well as SynTrac principal investigator Jan Delfs and Michael Heere who holds a junior professorship at TU Braunschweig. They all emphasized that not everything in a career path can be planned and that it is important to move forward with confidence, even in times of uncertainty. In particular, Michael Heere spoke very vividly about the challenges of balancing family and career, offering a candid perspective that resonated strongly with participants. In SynTrac we recognize the importance of engaging with these aspects during the PhD journey to facilitate the candidates to create a vision of their own future.

Beyond the academic sessions, the workshop fostered informal exchange through a social event at an Escape Room, “Hidden in Braunschweig,” followed by a group dinner, as well as optional evening activities such as a movie screening.

Overall, the workshop provided a well-rounded experience, combining high-level scientific input, practical skills training, and valuable networking opportunities for the project’s PhD community.