Thinking in Relationships: Practical Graph Database Modelling in Java with Neo4j by Paulien van Alst

This talk, presented at Spring I/O 2026, examines the advantages of graph databases, particularly Neo4j, for Java developers accustomed to relational databases and document stores. The speaker discusses how to effectively model complex domains that feature highly interconnected data, such as criminal investigations and recommendation systems. By sharing personal experiences with Neo4j in various projects, the speaker introduces the Cypher query language and highlights common pitfalls to avoid when implementing graph databases. Attendees will gain practical insights into the benefits of graph modeling, as well as strategies for successfully initiating projects that leverage these technologies.