4th collaboration workshop on Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Accelerators (RL4AA'26)

30 Mar 2026, 08:30 → 1 Apr 2026, 18:00 Europe/London

TEACHING HUB 502 (University of Liverpool)

Andrea Santamaria Garcia (University of Liverpool and Cockcroft Institute)

We are pleased to announce RL4AA'26, the fourth workshop of the series organised by the Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Accelerators (RL4AA) Collaboration. After three successful workshops (KIT in 2023, Salzburg in 2024, and DESY in 2025) RL4AA'26 will be hosted in 2026 as a LIV.INNO Workshop by the University of Liverpool and Cockcroft Institute in the musically iconic port city of Liverpool.

RL4AA brings together the reinforcement learning and accelerator physics communities to share results, practical insights from the field, and the big questions ahead for real-world RL. Expect engaging keynotes, invited and contributed talks, a lively poster session, and a hands-on coding challenge.

Scope

Submissions are not limited to particle accelerators. We welcome any work on sequential decision-making in real-world settings (e.g., safety, sample efficiency, sim-to-real, partial observability). A set of student talk slots will be reserved.

Coding challenge

Join a team to tackle an accelerator-themed RL task. We will form balanced teams that mix newer folks and experienced contributors. You’ll submit results to a live Kaggle leaderboard as you go, improve your model, and we will wrap with awards for the top three teams

Who should attend

Whether you are deep into RL research or just starting and curious, there’s something for you (from introductory lectures the first day to advanced talks).

Registration

The event is free, but places are limited. Please register early to secure your spot.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Liverpool in 2026!

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

RL4AA'26 Flyer.pdf

Monday, 30 March

Registration

Arrival of participants and registration.

Welcome: Opening and organisational information

Introduction to RL: Introduction to Reinforcement Learning

10:30 Break

RL challenge: Introduction and group assignment

Time allocated to work on the RL challenge

12:00 Lunch break

Contributed talks: TBC

1 TBC

2 TBC

3 TBC

4 TBC

14:50 Break

RL challenge: Hands-on

Time allocated to work on the RL challenge

Social activity: Dinner

Tuesday, 31 March

Welcome: Day 2

Keynote: TBC

10:15 Break

Keynote: TBC

11:45 Group photo

Poster session: Poster session & lunch

Contributed talks: TBC

5 TBC

6 TBC

7 TBC

15:00 Break

Contributed talks: TBC

8 TBC

9 TBC

10 TBC

RL challenge: Hands-on

Time allocated to work on the RL challenge

Social activity: TBC

Social activity: Dinner

Wednesday, 1 April

Transportation: Departure to venue for last day

Laboratory visit: Tour at Daresbury Laboratory

12:00 Lunch break

Contributed talks: TBC

11 TBC

12 TBC

13 TBC

RL challenge: Results

Time allocated to work on the RL challenge

15:00 Break

Discussion: Workshop closing

Transportation: Departure to Liverpool