On 16 and 17 July 2026, OTH Regensburg hosted this year’s GEO5+ PhD Colloquium, which was organised this year by Prof. Dr Thomas Neidhart. Early-career researchers from TU Berlin, TU Dresden, Bauhaus University Weimar, Ruhr University Bochum, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), HTWK Leipzig and OTH Regensburg came together to present and discuss current research in the field of geotechnical engineering.
The two-day event centred on presentations of ongoing PhD projects. Participants were given the opportunity to present their research findings and, in the subsequent technical discussions, to gain valuable insights for their future academic work. The range of topics reflected the diversity of geotechnical research, spanning issues relating to the dynamic stability of soils and soil-binder mixtures, through to topics in offshore geotechnics, data-driven methods of ground investigation, to innovative experimental studies of organic soils (peat) and igneous rocks (granite).
For many years, the GEO5+ Colloquium has pursued the aim of strengthening academic exchange between the participating universities. In addition to the specialist presentations, the event offered participants the opportunity to familiarise themselves with OTH Regensburg’s research and testing facilities during a guided tour of the civil engineering laboratories.
There was also plenty of opportunity for personal interaction. Contacts were made and networks strengthened during an evening barbecue on a Danube ferry. A particular highlight was the darts tournament on the ferry, in which the OTH Regensburg team secured the cup.
OTH Regensburg would like to thank all participants for their fascinating contributions, the lively discussions and the excellent collaboration. The next GEO5+ PhD colloquium will take place in 2027 at Ruhr University Bochum.
