Activities

2026.9.4

WPI-AIMEC Fusion Science Workshop 2026: Advancing Research Across Disciplines

The WPI-AIMEC Fusion Science Workshop was held at Tohoku University from 13 to 15 July 2026. The workshop aimed to advance fusion research through the three Clusters while strengthening WPI-AIMEC as an international research institute where members from diverse backgrounds can work together with mutual respect. AIMEC members from across Japan and the United States participated in cluster discussions and sessions on KAKENHI grant applications, science communication, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The workshop was designed and organized by University Research Administrators (URAs) Alan Yee (Program Coordinator), Nadine Dion (Outreach and Education Coordinator) and Tsunaki Iida (Science Communicator), all of whom serve as Specially Appointed Associate Professors.

In fiscal year 2026, WPI-AIMEC established three Clusters to address its Grand Challenges and further advance cross-disciplinary research. Director Toshio Suga and Kentaro Ando, Division Director of Research Promotion and Planning, led an institute-wide discussion to build a shared understanding of the new framework and its future direction. In the subsequent cluster sessions, members outlined draft research questions, objectives, and approaches for each Flagship Project, laying the groundwork for their further development.

The KAKENHI workshop provided researchers with an overview of the JSPS KAKENHI application process and tips for writing effective proposals. The session was led by WPI-AIMEC researcher, Yasufumi Iryu (Professor, Tohoku University). Many participants, including early career researchers, gained useful knowledge ahead of the KAKENHI application period in September. 

The Science Communication Workshop was co-designed by WPI-AIMEC and Madeline Go, Senior Communications Specialist at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering, in response to requests from AIMEC researchers to explore better ways to communicate across disciplines and with non-experts. Participants explored how to adapt research messages to different audiences, create engaging openings, and organize visuals clearly with Go’s introduction. WPI-AIMEC Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Lael Wakamatsu (JAMSTEC) demonstrated ways to use Canva for scientific visuals. The workshop gave many members new ideas and the confidence to apply them.

Insights from earlier AIMEC member surveys led AIMEC’s DEI Committee to organize a bilingual training session titled “How to Create an Inclusive Workplace” designed and delivered by Dale Carnegie Training. The workshop introduced concepts such as visible and invisible diversity, unconscious bias and respecting differences in personality types. Participants reported that meeting face‑to‑face helped build rapport across different job roles and many noted they had learnt something new. Given AIMEC’s diverse membership, providing bilingual training that meets varied needs remains an important ongoing effort. Overall, the workshop contributed to establishing a shared baseline understanding of DEI concepts within the institute.

Two JST‑ASPIRE‑supported graduate students also joined both the Science Communication and DEI workshops, where they developed practical cross‑disciplinary communication skills and connected with many international AIMEC researchers.

As WPI-AIMEC members are scattered across Japan and the globe, opportunities to meet face-to-face are limited. This three day in-person only event offered members the opportunity to build stronger working relationships, learn new skills and make progress on the science activities of the three Clusters. WPI-AIMEC will continue designing future events aimed at advancing fusion science activities.