FOSE2025 in Matsuyama — My First Conference Presentation

In early November, I attended FOSE2025 (Foundation of Software Engineering workshop) in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. It was my first academic conference presentation, and it turned out to be a wonderful mix of research and travel.

The Presentation

I presented a poster on my research — applying generative AI techniques to improve fuzzing efficiency. Standing next to my poster and explaining my work to other researchers was a completely different experience from presenting in our lab seminar.

People asked questions I hadn't anticipated. Some offered suggestions for related approaches. Others shared their own experiences with similar problems. It was a great reminder that the research community is broader and more diverse than what you see in your own lab.

Matsuyama — More Than a Conference

One of the best things about academic conferences in Japan is that they're often held in beautiful locations. Matsuyama did not disappoint.

After the conference sessions, our lab group explored the city together:

• Japanese cuisine — We enjoyed traditional washoku (Japanese-style) meals. The local cuisine in Ehime was fresh and delicious
• Onsen — Matsuyama is famous for Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs. Soaking in the hot water after a long day of presentations was the perfect way to unwind
• Matsuyama Castle — We visited the castle together as a group. The hilltop location offers a panoramic view of the city, and the autumn weather made the walk up especially pleasant

Research Meets Life

Conferences like FOSE remind me why I enjoy being in academia. It's not just about the papers and presentations — it's about meeting people who share your curiosity, learning from different perspectives, and occasionally getting to explore a beautiful part of Japan.

Ehime was a highlight of my first year as a graduate student. I'm grateful to my lab for making this trip both productive and fun.

If you're working on software engineering research and attended FOSE2025, I'd love to connect. Reach out via email or GitHub.