PhD Supervisor of the Year 2026 for Stephan Trenn

Dr. Stephan Trenn has been awarded the PhD Supervisor of the Year Award 2026. He is based at the Systems, Control and Optimization group within the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (BI). The winner was announced during the Faculty Opening of the Academic Year on Monday, August 31.

Trenn’s students value his guidance, which combines trust, openness and dedication. He strikes a careful balance between providing direction and giving his students the freedom to explore their own ideas. His supervision is tailored to the different stages of a PhD project, helping students develop confidence while making steady progress.

Students also appreciate Trenn’s genuine concern for their well-being. He regularly checks in with them before meetings and is described by his students as an exceptionally good listener. His supportive approach creates an environment in which PhD candidates feel heard, trusted and encouraged to develop as independent researchers.

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