Rolf Fest 2026 @ Jena

On the occasion of Rolf Niedermeier's 60th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the publication of his seminal book Invitation to Fixed-Parameter Algorithms we will hold a symposium on the past, present, and future of parameterized algorithmics.

Apart from having shaped the field since its early days, Rolf contributed to and initiated the interaction of parameterized algorithmics with many other areas of computer science including algorithm engineering, computational biology, computational social choice, data reduction, scheduling, string algorithms, and temporal graphs.

Before eventually moving to TU Berlin, Rolf spent 6 years, from 2004 to 2010, at the University of Jena as head of the Chair of Theoretical Informatics. During that time, his book was published and parameterized algorithmics experienced a rapid growth. Jena is therefore a fitting place to gather and reflect on Rolf's legacy, the development of the last 20 years, and the future of the field.

If you would like to attend, please contact us at rolf-fest@listserv.uni-jena.de

In case you are interested in giving a talk on a topic related to the theme of the symposium, please let us know by May 31.

Date: July 21 2026

Location: Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany

Confirmed speakers:

• Piotr Faliszewski, AGH University of Krakow, Poland
• Hendrik Molter, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

Further confirmed participants:

• Dušan Knop, Czech Technical University in Prague
• Erik Jan van Leeuwen, Utrecht University
• Martin Schirneck, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Further details on the program will be announced soon. 

Organizers: 

• Matthias Bentert (TU Berlin)
• Robert Bredereck (TU Clausthal)
• Jiehua Chen (TU Wien)
• Leon Kellerhals (TU Clausthal)
• Christian Komusiewicz (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)
• André Nichterlein (TU Berlin)
• Manuel Sorge (TU Wien)