The ALERT Doctoral School 2023 will take place from the 28th September to 30th September 2023.

The theme is “Machine Learning (ML) in Geomechanics”, and the school is coordinated by Ioannis Stefanou and Félix Darve.

The objective of this doctoral school is to explain what Machine Learning is, what its main methods are and how can it be used for solving real-case problems in geomechanics, in particular, and in solid mechanics, in general. Lectures and hands-on exercises using regression and classification ML methods, supervised and unsupervised ML techniques, Artificial Neural Networks, deep learning and model reduction techniques will be taught.

The students will:

1. Gain an understanding of what ML is;
2. Study the most important ML methods for regression, classification and model order reduction;
3. Follow the basic mathematical and geometric notions behind ML methods;
4. Use ML in simple examples, get aware of pitfalls and understand the need for physics- & geomechanics-based ML methods.

Requirements for the students:

1. Python programming language (for those who are unfamiliar with Python we suggest the book “Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming” by Eric Matthes, but many excellent tutorials can be found on the internet as well).
2. Basic concepts in mathematics (algebra, analysis, elements of differential calculus and numerical analysis).
3. Have some problems in mind in relation with their research and geomechanics that they believe that ML could help.

For those interested in participating in the doctoral school, a short poll is available in order to get some information about your expectations from this school and ML: see the poll here.

The online registration for the ALERT School will open in July and will be announced on the website.