LumeNet

A research methods workshop for PhD students of lighting, colour, daylight and related subjects

LumeNet is a research methods workshop for PhD research students studying lighting and related issues. It was established by Steve Fotios along with Jens Christoffersen of VELUX. There are annual events, focussing on daylight (the Academic Forum) and general lighting (LumeNet) in alternate years.

The aim is to raise discussion of research objectives and methodologies. To do this, students present their proposals to senior researchers in the field of lighting for critical review.

Next event: Academic Forum 2025

The 2025 Academic Forum will be organised by Jens Christoffersen: date and location tbc.

Past events

LumeNet 2024: EPFL, Lausanne

EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, 5-6 September 2024


(Feedback in process)


LumeNet 2022: Sheffield

University of Sheffield, UK, 6-7 September 2022


Aysheh Alshdaifat (University of Sheffield): I had the chance to discuss with PhD students and professional experts in lighting research, presented my work and got feedback in a very friendly atmosphere. Big value event, but small enough for really good conversations.

Jose Fermin Balda (University of Liege): I really enjoyed LumeNet 2022. Being able to talk with all those experts on light really helped me out to get more insight in the light field, and I also received tons of feedback about my research

Simon Belgers (Technical University Eindhoven): The discussion with leading experts in the field was even more valuable and made LumeNet an experience I would not have wanted to miss … they provided feedback in a respectful and insightful manner, which contributed to the overall pleasant atmosphere. This feedback gave me a better grip on my research

Nikodem Derengowski (Technical University of Berlin): Lumenet was a fantastic opportunity to get feedback from lighting experts and other PhD fellows from around the world. The reviewing mentors were from different fields (lighting engineering, phenomenology of human-light interaction, statistics, colorimetry, outdoor lighting, daylighting) which made their feedback extremely valuable, regardless of which stage of PhD you were on. The atmosphere was friendly and semi-formal, which made everyone felt welcomed and encouraged.

Myrta Gkaintatzi-Masouti (Eindhoven University of Technology): It was a very positive and constructive experience for me. I really liked the opportunity to meet and discuss with other PhDs that are working on similar topics.

LumeNet 2020: Eindhoven

Technical University, Eindhoven
10–11 November 2020

Maria Englezou (University of Cyprus): This was my second time in a LumeNET forum. My experience … was very informative and inspiring. Being able to see how other students from different disciplines, approach research in lighting, and hearing discussions about several methods and tools was very interesting. It was incredible to get feedback about my Ph.D. methods from these mentors!Muhammad Hegazy (Osaka University): I really enjoyed LumeNet … it efficiently offers what conferences can't: individual, dedicated discussions on the questions, methods, and possible outcomes of the PhD project. It was nice that as a student I could talk to distinguished experts who have been in the lighting research for decades, as well as with brilliant young researchers who can very much relate to the challenges a PhD student faces at different stages of his/her program.Professor Kevin Houser (Oregon State University): LumeNet 2020 was brilliant! I was heartened by the turnout of both students and mentors, impressed with the scope of projects underway, and delighted by how well technology allowed us to bridge the gaps of space and time. I left feeling charged and optimistic! I’m excited to see how the many dissertations develop and grateful to be a part of this global community of people that are passionate about light and lighting.

LumeNet 2018: Copenhagen

Aalborg University, Copenhagen
 16–17 August 2018

Organised in conjunction with the 2018 CIE Research Methods Tutorial

Jennifer Veitch, National Research Council of Canada: I came away feeling that the future of lighting research is bright, because we heard from a delightfully diverse group of students from various relevant disciplines and countries, and with a good variety of research topics.Maaike Kompier, Eindhoven University of Technology: This event helped me to take a step back and put my research into perspective. It was incredibly valuable to receive feedback of experts in the field and the other PhD students.Francisca Rodriguez, Queensland University of Technology: It provides great balance between review sessions –where you get high-quality feedback from experts and peers-, and gathering opportunities for connecting with other students and researchers in a more informal way.

LumeNet 2016: Belgium

KU Leuven Technology Campus Ghent, Belgium
7–8 April 2016

Feedback from the event

Flyer (PDF, 1.3MB)

Christel de Bakker (TU/e): the Lumenet workshop as a very constructive help in the progress of my PhD. I received very helpful feedback on which methods I could use best. It was nice to hear for once the opinion of lighting experts other than my supervisors. It gave me a fresh look on thingsJuliette van Duijnhoven (TU/e): I went home with many interesting and constructive thoughts. I just discussed my new ideas with my co-promotor and she really liked the focus. I like it to think more specific and concrete.Stijn Hermans (KU Leuven): Thanks to this feedback from you and other experts we started here in the laboratory new debates (about methodology and experimental setup). Lumenet was/is also a nice place to make connections with other PhD students and experts who are struggling with the "same" problems as me.Imke Wies van Mil (Henning Larsen Architects): These interactions have greatly contributed to my understanding of doing research, as well as grown my network of international researchers. I would highly recommend others to participate in the next opportunityBenedetta Mattoni (University of Roma): It was a mix of work and play, learning and funny experiences. This workshop also really helped me to understand which are the aspects of my research I should focus on; It was a great opportunity to share ideas and interact with new people, both PhD students and leading figures in Lighting Research. Definitely recommended!Angelina Katsifaraki (Fraunhofer Institut): What I particularly liked in LumeNet was that everyone had a chance to present their work without judgement to other PhD students, who were on the same boat and faced similar problems and challenges. Additionally, the fact that the experts gave input about the methodology rather than judging the results was very refreshing and relaxing. Overall, I found the conversations and the exchange of ideas very motivating and helped me gain a better focus on my work.

VELUX Academic Forum 2015: London

London Metropolitan University, London
1 September 2015

The VELUX Daylight Academic Forum is held in connection with the biennial VELUX Daylight Symposium. The aim of the Daylight Academic Forum is to provide an opportunity for PhD students to discuss their current research projects with a panel of other fellow PhD students – supported by a panel of independent researchers – to get critical feedback at an early stage of a research project.The forums give time for the students to discuss research methodology and how you, as a PhD student, can arrive better results of your experiment than to find out, from blind review, when your paper is rejected for publication.Here Professor Steve Fotios talks about the aims of the forums and why he was involved in setting them up.

LumeNet 2014: Berlin

Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin
10–11 April 2014

Feedback from the event

Alessia Pedace: It was a wonderful experience and I definetely recommend it to other PhD students! It really helped me understand the points I need to focus on in my PhD project, I am also grateful for being able to meet with other PhD students and share ideas with them.Saurabh Sachdev: I would like to thank you again for giving me this incredible opportunity to be part of such a wonderful and informative workshop. It has been a unique learning experience for me. I am especially thankful to you, for being able to interact with some of the leading figures in Lighting Research.

LumeNet 2012: Sheffield

School of Architecture, University of Sheffield
19–21 June 2012

Coralie Cauwerts: definitely the most interesting and exciting light-focussed event I have ever participated.Mike Pointer: an excellent meeting ...a good balance between work and play.Peter Boyce: just the right balance between detailed discussion of projects and general discussion of process.Jennifer Veitch: a great opportunity for the reviewers and students alike to have detailed conversations about lighting research in all its fascinating aspects.Ruth Kelly: a "must do" for any PhD student in the field of lighting.
LumeNet logo designed by Aicha Diakite of Berlin Technical University.