FENStatS News
Submissions for the 8th edition of `MBC2 - Models and Learning for Clustering and Classification` are nearing the deadline.
The 8th edition of the international workshop "MBC2 - Models and Learning for Clustering and Classification" invites submission. MBC2 2026 will be held in Catania (Italy) on 26-28 Aug 2026.
The workshop focuses on state-of-the-art research in statistical models and learning techniques applied across various areas of clustering and classification. Scientific discussions and debates among both early-career and senior researchers are strongly encouraged.
The following five keynote speakers are currently confirmed:
- Claire Gormley (University College Dublin, Ireland) The utility of latent variables in clustering and classification,
- Francesca Greselin (Università di Milano Bicocca, Italy) Novel cellwise-robust proposal for clustering,
- Mia Hubert (KU Leuven, Belgium) Cellwise Robust Quadratic Discriminant Analysis,
- Julien Jacques (Université Lumière Lyon 2, France) Clustering multivariate longitudinal data of mixed type,
- Harrison H. Zhou (Yale University, USA) Some Thoughts on Synthetic Data.
DATA CHALLENGE
A Data Challenge dedicated to the development of predictive models for inventory management in the retail sector has been launched on this occasion. The initiative aims to foster applied statistical research and collaboration between academia and industry, promoting data-driven solutions for more sustainable retail supply chains. All participants must be 30 years old or younger at the time of submission. The winner team will receive a prize of € 1000. The second-place team will receive a prize of € 700. See http://mbc2.unict.it/data-challenge for details.
TUTORIAL
A tutorial on "Probably Approximately Correct Learning and Related Topics" is also scheduled for 25 Aug 2026 (afternoon) and 26 Aug 2026 (morning). It will feature two confirmed lectures:
--> Pascal Germain (Département d’Informatique et de Génie logiciel, Université Laval, Québec, Canada)
--> Ata Kaban (School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, UK)
See http://mbc2.unict.it/tutorial for details.
IMPORTANT DATES
30 Apr 2026: submission of an abstract (max 2000 characters)
30 May 2026: notification of the acceptance
The workshop will take place at Collegio d’Aragona (Via Ventimiglia 184, 95129 Catania, Italy).
For more information, visit mbc2.unict.it, or contact mbc2@unict.it.