Since 2006, the Erna Hamburger Prize is awarded by the EPFL-WISH Foundation (Women In Science and Humanities) and distinguishes influential, leading women scientists who are transforming their field and executing change.
\r\n
\r\nThe Erna Hamburger Prize 2026 will be awarded to Prof. Margo Seltzer. The award ceremony will be held on November 11th 2026 at 6:30 pm at SG 1138. On this occasion, the awardee will give a conference on the EPFL Campus. Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to hear from one of the most influential figures in contemporary computer science.
\r\n
\r\nConference abstract
\r\nIt's 2026, and the answer to every problem today seems to be a multiple choice exercise of selecting answers from: AI, Agents, LLMs or machine learning. Is our future really just all about prompt engineering?
\r\n
\r\nAt a time when artificial intelligence, autonomous agents and large language models seem to be presented as the answer to every challenge, Margo Seltzer offers a thought-provoking perspective on the value of simplicity in computer science and machine learning. She will demonstrate how simpler and more transparent approaches can deliver performance comparable to that of the most sophisticated models, while providing greater interpretability, more efficient use of resources and a more natural way of addressing issues of fairness and privacy. The lecture will also explore a theme that lies at the heart of her career: collaboration. Drawing on her own experience of collaborative research, Margo Seltzer will explain how working together can broaden one’s impact, help overcome imposter syndrome, and enable individuals to discover and develop their unique strengths.
\r\n
\r\nAbout Prof. Margo Seltzer
\r\nProf. Margo Seltzer is Co-Head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), where she moved after two decades as a Full Professor at Harvard University. She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science in 1992 from the University of California, Berkeley. A pioneering computer systems researcher, she is the recipient of numerous prestigious honors, including the 2023 ACM Athena Lecturer Award and the USENIX Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering. Alongside her academic career, Margo Seltzer is an entrepreneur: she co-founded Sleepycat Software, maker of Berkeley DB, a widely used embedded database engine later acquired by Oracle. A recognized leader in her field, she is also a devoted mentor to young women in computer science and founded the \"Systers Lunch,\" the original diversity gathering at SOSP, the flagship conference of the systems research community.
tba
","image_description":"","creation_date":"2026-09-03T14:50:19","last_modification_date":"2026-09-03T15:07:40","link_label":"","link_url":"https://www.epfl.ch/schools/sb/research/math/statistics-seminars/","canceled":"False","cancel_reason":"","place_and_room":"CM 1 517","url_place_and_room":"https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==CM%201%20517","url_online_room":"","spoken_languages":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/2/?format=json"],"speaker":"Claire Boyer, Université Paris-Saclay","organizer":"Myrto Limnios","contact":"Maroussia Schaffner","is_internal":"False","theme":"","vulgarization":{"id":2,"fr_label":"Public averti","en_label":"Informed public"},"registration":{"id":3,"fr_label":"Entrée libre","en_label":"Free"},"keywords":"","file":null,"icalendar_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/export/121686/","category":{"id":1,"code":"CONF","fr_label":"Conférences - Séminaires","en_label":"Conferences - Seminars","activated":true},"academic_calendar_category":null,"domains":[],"mementos":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/1/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/5/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/6/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/7/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/288/?format=json"]},{"id":71804,"title":"Coding Club for Girls in Luzern","slug":"coding-club-for-girls-in-luzern-16","event_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/coding-club-for-girls-in-luzern-16","visual_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/33175/200x112.jpg","visual_large_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/33175/720x405.jpg","visual_maxsize_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/33175/max-size.jpg","lang":"en","start_date":"2026-11-14","end_date":"2026-11-28","start_time":"09:30:00","end_time":"16:00:00","description":"Eine App programmieren? Ein Computerspiel erfinden? Eine Animation gestalten?
\r\nWenn dich eines dieser Dinge interessiert, bist du hier am richtigen Ort! Tausche und teile deine Ideen, lerne zu programmieren und entdecke Informatikberufe.
\r\n
\r\nDie Coding Club for Girls Workshops sind für Mädchen im Alter von 11 bis 15 Jahren und die Teilnahme ist kostenlos. Ab der Teilnahme an vier Workshops pro Jahr wird eine Teilnahmebestätigung ausgehändigt.
\r\n
\r\nOrt: Kantonschule Musegg, Luzern
\r\n
\r\nDatum und Zeit:
\r\n14. November 2026 : 09:30 bis 12:00 oder 13:30 bis 16:00 Uhr // Hello 3D World
\r\n28. November 2026 : 09:30 bis 12:00 oder 13:30 bis 16:00 Uhr // Webdesignerin
\r\n
\r\nDie Inhalte der Workshops sind untenstehend beschrieben.
\r\n
\r\nBedingungen\r\n
Eine App programmieren? Ein Computerspiel erfinden? Eine Animation gestalten?
\r\nWenn dich eines dieser Dinge interessiert, bist du hier am richtigen Ort! Tausche und teile deine Ideen, lerne zu programmieren und entdecke Informatikberufe.
\r\n
\r\nDie Coding Club for Girls Workshops sind für Mädchen im Alter von 11 bis 15 Jahren und die Teilnahme ist kostenlos. Ab der Teilnahme an vier Workshops pro Jahr wird eine Teilnahmebestätigung ausgehändigt.
\r\n
\r\nOrt: Kantonsschule, Zug
\r\n
\r\nDatum und Zeit:
\r\n14. November 2026 : 09:30 bis 12:00 oder 13:30 bis 16:00 Uhr // Schildkröte in Python
\r\n28. November 2026 : 09:30 bis 12:00 oder 13:30 bis 16:00 Uhr // Mit Computern chatten
\r\n
\r\nDie Inhalte der Workshops sind untenstehend beschrieben.
\r\n
\r\nBedingungen\r\n
Join our online information to get to know the EPFL SRVC executive program for Transforming Business with AI & Data Tech (CAS in Value Chain Data Technologies) with Executive Director Ms. Elaine Moran.
\r\n
\r\nLearn how this program empowers professionals to drive sustainable innovation with AI, IoT & Digital Twins - and get all your questions answered.
\r\n
\r\n> Register here