Coffee and Control

In this episode I have the pleasure of attending the CONTROL2026 conference, and bring you along with me! This conference was the largest gatheringof control engineers in the UK recent years, co-organized by the ACE network and UK Automatic Control Council (UKACC). Join me as I explore the ACE network and some of the fabulous control engineering research taking place across theUK! Join the ACE net...

In the second part of my interview with the incredibly talented Carmen Amo Alonso we discuss her fascinating work at the intersection of AI and control, examining topics such as: Using tools from control theory to analyse and design AI systems Controlling large language models to guarantee a particular sentiment for their output Using vision-language-action models to control robots using language...

In this episode I talk to the very wonderful Carmen Amo Alonso about her (award-winning) PhD research on distributed and localised MPC. We also cover super interesting and useful concepts such as system-level synthesis and ADMM, as well as her internship working at Tesla! You can access the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SErvHtKoE18QzelHDUh9im6AeG3zKPWZLRoNGx5BUyg/edit?usp=shar...

In this episode I talk to three lovely researchers all about journal clubs (AKA reading groups) – what they are, why you might want to be part of one, and how to start your own! I also give some insights from my own experiences running a (control-related) journal club, as well as a summary of three of my favourite papers we’ve read.   You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/documen...

In this episode I got the opportunity to sit down with the fantastic Brian Douglas and talk about what it's like to be a control engineer in industry, common misconceptions he had, and advice for current students. We also discussed his YouTube channel, as well as a few more technical aspects of projects he's been involved with over the years! You can find the transcript at: https://docs.go...

In this episode I got to speak with the fantastic Gioele Zardini about his work on the co-design framework, a fascinating framework used to optimise large interconnected systems. We cover the theoretical background of this, intuition behind it, and a ton of different applications where it’s useful, as well as discussing exciting open questions in the field!   Find the transcript at: https://docs.g...

In this episode I have a lovely conversation with Dr Barbara Franci about her research into game theory, exploring both theoretical concepts (such as variational inequalities, forwards-backwards algorithms, and stochastic Nash equilibrium-seeking problems) and practical applications, including resource allocation, energy management, and generative adversarial networks!   You can find the transcrip...

In this bonus episode I explore the work of ten fascinating researchers that I met at the Meet the Faculty Candidates poster session at CDC last month. We cover a wide array of different areas, including data-driven methods, fault-tolerant control, biological systems, PDEs, distributed estimation and a whole lot more!   Correction: At ~5:20 I mention that Anju was able to characterize the strategi...

In this episode I bring my microphones with me to the conference of decision and control (CDC) where I talk to a load of interesting researchers about their recent work. Featuring discussion of a wide range of different topics, including reinforcement learning, control architecture, game theory, AI-human interaction, event-triggered control and a whole lot more!   You can view the episode transcri...

In this episode I talk to some wonderful members of IEEEcontrol systems society (CSS) NextCom committee about their work fostering inclusivity and belonging within CSS, as well as empowering the next generation of leaders within control. We also cover how you can be a part of this!   You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/186arBxVLdcpHUCT9djgXQ7IMVvX5SLsMk0LmnzOLbRY/edi...

This month I got to interview Sophie Schirmer about herfascinating work on quantum control, including notions such as controllability and realisability, different types of quantum states (including pure, mixed, and dark states), comparison between different approaches to optimisation, and the quantum phenomena inside MRI scanners!   You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/...

In this month’s episode got to talk to Dr Carrie Weidner allabout controlling quantum systems! I find out what the control objective is forthese systems, how to characterise their robustness (or at least attempt to),how easy it is to apply this to practical systems, and a lot more besides. You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aixaD-P6R6jFDjS4Zp6nJ2n5ZHPfbWKYCue2v2_ZC...

In this episode I sit down with Dr Andy Lawrence and learn all about the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), including his top tips on successful grant applications, advice for not getting discouraged by rejected submissions, how to build successful collaborations with industry, and a lot more besides!   You can find the transcript for this episode at: https://docs.google.c...

This episode features the second part of my interview with the fantastic Alberto Padoan! Featuring discussions of data-driven modelling in a geometric/ non-linear context, how to define distances in a behavioural systems setting, and the origin story of his podcast, inControl . You can find the transcript at: https://CoffeeControlLinks.short.gy/y67vmp Follow the podcast on linkedIn: https://www.li...

In this episode I sit down with the wonderful Alberto Padoan and discuss his work on model order reduction and generalising concepts from linear systems to the non-linear setting. You can find the transcript at: https://CoffeeControlLinks.short.gy/IRMql9 Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffee-and-control-podcast/ Or connect with me directly: https://www.linkedin.co...

In this episode I sit down with Dr Ying Shuai Quan and getexcited about her work on adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, with particular focus on applying model predictive control. Features deep-dives into various aspects of MPC, with occasional offshoots into other cool areas of control!   You can find the transcript for this episode at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ufp57Vuzym...

This episode is an ECC special, where I go on a trip to theEuropean control conference and bring you with me! Connect with me and with the podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hodgins-733a30175/ X: https://x.com/coffee_ctrl_pod Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coffee-and-control.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffee_and_control_podcast/   References (Cool people to...

In this episode I interview Dr Mathias Foo about his fascinating research on controlling river systems, implementing control systems using DNA, and gene network rewiring. Basically applying control to a bunch of different systems that you weren’t expecting.   You can find the transcript for this episode at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cWRFK20bWm64k7MCghI82eJ3-FjTt3hK0VEpQ-VE0Og/edit?usp=sh...

In this episode I interview Jonathan Mayo Maldonado about his work on applying the behavioural framework to modelling and controlling switched systems, as well as applying data-driven control to power systems!   You can engage with the podcast on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/coffee-and-control.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffee_and_control_podcast/ Follow me on LinkedIn:...

In this episode I talk to Professor Paolo Rapisarda about a bunch of interesting theoretical (but very useful) aspects of control, including his work on behavioural systems theory, model reduction, Willems’ fundamental lemma, and data-driven control. You can find the transcript at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xosQlyCazjngvrydEdlSX917p84v4GY8Maljp5J8MQY/edit?usp=sharing You can engage with...

In this episode I interview Professor Sabine Hauert about the super interesting work she does on the control of swarm robots, how considering nanoparticles as swarms can be used to treat cancer, and how morphogenesis can generate structure from random interactions.   You can follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/coffee_and_control_podcast/),BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/coffee-and-...

In this episode, I talk to Professor William Holderbaum about some of the many fascinating areas of research he’s involved in, including Boolean control, geometric control, and control of electroactive polymer gels —plus a lot more! Follow us for updates on new episodes: Instagram BlueSky X (Twitter) PhD research PhD Thesis (in French) Boolean Control Using State-Space Approach Neural Networks for...

In this episode I talk to Dr Zehor Belkhatir about her fascinating work using fractional order systems to model the brain, as well as how control can be used for chemotherapy treatment. You can follow us on Instagram , BlueSky , and X for updates on episodes! References Thesis: Dr. Zehor Belkhatir's thesis explores key aspects of fractional systems in biomedical applications. Fractional order esti...

In this episode we interview Professor Matthew Turner , professor in the Cyber Physical Systems group at the university of Southampton, about his fascinating work on aircraft control, anti-windup, Lur’e systems, and his recent research into applying techniques from control theory to the analysis of neural networks. The transcript for this episode is available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d...

In this first episode, I talk to Chris Freeman , professor of applied control at the University of Southampton and expert on all things related to iterative learning control and its application in rehabilitation. The transcript for this episode is available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GYq__XkxFequ0zavy0k5fKVo_CPskZvn7VsR3o_XpL8/edit?usp=sharing Contact Chris at ctf1@soton.ac.uk Contact...