2026 COMBS Early Connect
2026 COMBS Early Connect
15-16th February 2026
University of Sydney, NSW and Novotel Wollongong, NSW
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COMBS Early Connect is focused on bringing COMBS Higher Degree by Research Students and Early Career Researchers together. At the event, our COMBS 'early' members will participate in a range of workshops and networking activities.
Workshop Agenda
Workshop Agenda
This agenda is subject to revision based on interest to rotating workshop topics.
Workshop overview
Workshop overview
Sunday 15 February 2026
6:30pm onwards: Optional dinner in Surry Hills for those arriving in Sydney the day before EarlyConnect. We will book tables at a local pub and attendees to buy and pay for their own meals.
Monday 16 February 2026
Event schedule
8:30am-9am Bag Drop: Tea and coffee will be available from 8:30am in the foyer outside the Slade Lecture theatre. Outside Slade Lecture theatre, Room 217, Level 2 [ground floor], Physics Building (A28), Physics Road, University of Sydney, Camperdown.
9:15am-9:45am Directors' address Slade Lecture theatre, Room 217, Level 2 [ground floor], Physics Building (A28), Physics Road, University of Sydney, Camperdown.
10am-12pm Lab tours + morning tea (organised by COMBS) at USyd
Physics Building (A28) and Sydney Nanoscience Hub (A31). Contact Ruth if running late to find your lab group!
12pm-1pm Rotating workshops at USyd. Refer to email sent 5th February for your afternoon workshop schedule
Summer Interns: Room 4020, Level 4, Sydney Nano Tech Building (A31)
Short Pulse workshop Room 3001, Level 3, Sydney Nano Tech Building
Media training Room 4001, Level 4, Sydney Nano Tech Building
1pm-1:45pm Lunch: (organised by COMBS). Physics courtyard (between Physics Building [A28] and Sydney Nano Tech [A31]).
2pm-3pm Rotating workshops at USyd. Refer to email sent 5th February for your afternoon workshop schedule
Short Pulse workshop Room 3001, Level 3, Sydney Nano Tech Building
Media training Room 4001, Level 4, Sydney Nano Tech Building
Walk & Connect Meet in the Courtyard between the Physics Building (A28) and Sydney Nano Tech (A31)
3pm Luggage room will open up for retrieval belongings and make way to the busses.
Outside Slade Lecture theatre, Room 217, Level 2 [ground floor], Physics Building (A28), Physics Road, University of Sydney, Camperdown.
3:15pm Buses depart from University of Sydney to Novotel Wollongong. Outside Physics Building (A28)
3:15pm-5:30pm COMBS Busses from University of Sydney to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach (snack provided by COMBS).
5pm-6pm Registration and check-in at Novotel Wollongong.
6pm-6:30pm Summer Interns 2-minute presentations. All attendees are encouraged to attend.
6:30pm-7:30pm Summer Interns poster presentations. All attendees encouraged to attend.
7:30pm-9pm Early researchers (Summer Interns, HDRs and ECRs) dinner [organised by COMBS].
Please note exact timings may change slightly on the day. If you plan on arriving late, leaving and returning to the event during the day, contact Ruth, Sian and Victor to discuss. We are required to sign in and out of some of the buildings at USyd we will be using and will need to update the building security .
Tuesday 17 February 2026 - Novotel Wollongong
19:30am-12:30pm: Refer to Annual Workshop schedule
12:30pm-1pm: Early Connect official wrap up (Summer Interns Award presentation).
Summer Interns: Separate information to come on your return transport to Sydney.
Workshop activities
Workshop activities
Learn more about the Early Connect workshop sessions below!
COMBS Sydney Laboratories: Concept to Creation
COMBS Sydney Laboratories: Concept to Creation
More information to come!
Join us to learn about the COMBS labs (CI's: Eggleton, De Sterke, and Kabakova). In rotating groups, you'll hear from members of the lab and have the chance to ask questions.
You will participate in a virtual lab tour of the UTS Brillouin microscopy lab and learn about this exciting technique to probe the visco-elastic properties of materials and tissues.
During the University of Sydney lab tour you will be immersed in the facilities in the purpose-built Sydney Nanoscience Hub (SNH). The SNH hosts cutting-edge clean room facilities including all required tools to fabricate photonic integrated circuits.
In the Soliton lab you will learn about soliton lasers and their experimental characterisation.
The Integrated Optics and Sensing labs in the SNH are equipped with state-of-the-art optical and microwave test-and-measurement equipment and micro-precision coupling stages to probe integrated photonic circuits. During the tour you will go through the labs and see first-hand photonic experiments set-up on multiple optical benches used to measure integrated photonic circuits and perform all-optical signal processing.
Media training: Communicating your research to the media
Media training: Communicating your research to the media
What makes a research story newsworthy? What makes a great headline? How do you get in front of the media?
Join us for a hands-on session with external media training providers (TBC) to gain skills in:
how to speak to journalists on camera
knowing how to 'pitch' your research story
understanding what a journalist is looking for in a story
After this session you will feel more confident talking about your research, and the process to turn your hard lab work into headlines!
Short Pulse Workshop (previously FREG): Practical workshop
Short Pulse Workshop (previously FREG): Practical workshop
FREG (frequency-resolved electrical gating) [1], is a technique that is very similar to the better-known FROG (frequency-resolved optical gating) technique. FREG can be used to fully characterise the electric field of ultrashort optical pulses and relies on the same pulse reconstruction algorithm as FROG. FREG is a linear technique that does not depend on second-harmonic generation and is therefore well-suited for characterising weak optical pulses.
The University of Sydney’s soliton lab has a home-built FREG setup that has been used very successfully for many years. It consists of a delay line (~US$12k), a photo detector (~US$5k), and a modulator (~US$6k), altogether about US$25k to be on the safe side. This is substantially less expensive than a commercial XFROG.
The most challenging aspect of the FREG, however, is the software that makes all elements work together properly. COMBS will make newly written software available that can be used to build your own FREG set up once you have purchased the parts. You will also need access to the reconstruction algorithm. The photodetector and the modulator determine the frequency range over which the device can operate.
In this workshop Antoine Runge will discuss the operation and construction of FREG devices.
[1] C. Dorrer and I. Kang, “Simultaneous temporal characterization of telecommunication optical pulses and modulators by use of spectrograms,” Opt. Lett. 27, 1315–1317 (2002).
Walk and Talk: Connect, network and explore USyd!
Walk and Talk: Connect, network and explore USyd!
Collect a hot beverage (hot chocolate, coffee, chai, tea or other), connect with people and go on a walk of the University of Sydney (or sit in one of the many beautiful spots around campus).
This activity will be tailored to the requests of COMBS members.
Potential activities include:
Organise to meet someone (e.g., industry contact, USyd or UTS contact) for a catch-up
Organise to meet a COMBS member you don't see often
Meet your COMBS mentor in person (more information on COMBS mentoring program to come)
Have some quiet time by yourself
Request Ruth to set up groups with your peers and an established COMBS researcher
Something else not yet considered that fits the theme 'walk and talk'.
Let us know what you want this session to look like and we can arrange. Contact Ruth at ruth.waterman@rmit.edu.au to discuss further.
Registration closed
Registration closed
All COMBS members are invited to attend COMBS Early Connect with approval from COMBS supervisors. Please note the target of this event is students and post docs. Please contact Ruth if you have any questions about this event
Frequently asked questions
Where is the event?
The event starts in the Slade Lecture theatre, Room 217, Level 2 [ground floor], Physics Building (A28), Physics Road, University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050.
What do I do if I get lost?
Reach out to a fellow COMBS member (eg. HDR or ECR) in Annual Workshop WhatsApp chat. If no one is able to help, contact Victor, Sian or Ruth.
How do I know where I have to be on the day?
When you check in, you’ll be given a name tag. There is a colour for your morning activities and a number for your afternoon workshops. Listen to the team for further instructions!
What food is provided?
Tea and coffee will be available on arrival. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. A light snack before the bus and snacks on arrival at the Novotel.
How to I get to University of Sydney (USyd)?
For those arriving Sunday night, there is busses (tap on and tap off with a credit or debit card) which drop you off a 5-10minute walk from the Physics building or walk from Central or Redfern station. Alternatively, catch an Uber/taxi as a group to get to the Physics building.
For those driving, leave extra time to find a car park. It is the start of O'Week at USyd, so parking may be difficult.
For those flying in, we recommend connecting with people from your node to Uber/taxi pool to the University of Sydney. Uber/Taxi is recommended to efficiently get to the Physics building. Follow the signs at Sydney airport to find an Uber or Taxi and tell the driver Physics Building University of Sydney. The event is a few minute walk from where the driver should drop you off.
Where should I put my bags?
A locked room will be available for luggage storage. Bags can be dropped off between 8:30 and 9:00 am. All items will be tagged and securely stored. Luggage will not be accessible during the event. Bags will be available for collection from 3:00 pm, prior to the bus departure at 3:15pm. The event team will relocate luggage to an accessible area in the afternoon to streamline collection. Please note that while every care will be taken, the event team, COMBS and the University of Sydney cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged items.
I am going on a lab tour. What shoes should I wear and what can I bring?
Closed-in shoes must be worn. Luggage and large backpacks should be placed in the luggage room for the day. Please ensure you bring essential items only (e.g. valuables including laptop, wallet, medicine, note pad/pen, laptop, water bottle) in a smaller bag.
I am concerned about stairs. What should I do?
The event involves walking up and down multiple flights of stairs at the University of Sydney (USyd). Please get in contact if you require lift access.
Will there be filming?
Yes. COMBS will have a photographer/videographer at the event. Please alert Ruth if you are not comfortable being included in photography/videography content.
What if I can’t attend the whole day?
Let Ruth, Sian or Victor know in advance.
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