Workshop "Quantum spacetime and the Renormalization Group 2025"

31.3.2025-4.4.2025 at the "Internationales Wissenschaftsforum Heidelberg" at Heidelberg University

The workshop is centered around a fascinating question in physics, namely: What is the fundamental quantum structure of spacetime?Renormalization Group techniques – the mathematical analogue of a microscope – enable us to zoom into the microscopic quantum structure of spacetime and investigate its properties. They provide a common language and point of contact between distinct theoretical approaches, including asymptotically safe quantum gravity, causal sets, spin foams, string theory and tensor models. Critical progress has been achieved in several of these approaches over the last few years, calling for a constructive discussion of the state of the art and future directions.In addition, Renormalization Group techniques enable us to zoom out from the microscopic properties of quantum spacetime to macroscopic and observable manifestations of quantum gravity. The last few years have seen major steps in formulating a consistent quantum field theory for gravity and the development of the phenomenonology of quantum gravity, based on these techniques. Thereby, connections to particle physics, cosmology and black-hole physics have been forged, calling for a roadmap to determine the most promising future avenues of research.The aim of the workshop is threefold: first, we aim at bringing together the research community in this area for an in-depth assessment of the state of the art and future directions. Second, we aim at providing ample opportunities for discussions, the brainstorming of new ideas and the formation of new collaborations. Third, we aim to provide a platform that encompasses the research direction of quantum gravity, mathematical physics, particle physics, cosmology and black-hole physics to determine the most promising ideas and directions along which these fields can fruitfully be connected in order to make breakthroughs in our understanding of the fundamental quantum structure of spacetime.

Scientific organizers: Astrid Eichhorn, Alessia Platania, Frank Saueressig

Invited speakers and panelists:

  • Johanna Borissova
  • Mariana Carrillo Gonzalez
  • Eduardo d'Angelo
  • Gustavo de Brito
  • Francesco del Porro
  • Kevin Falls
  • Razvan Gurau
  • Arthur Hebecker
  • Benjamin Knorr
  • Kamila Kowalska
  • Daniel Litim
  • Miguel Montero
  • Jan Pawlowski
  • Roberto Percacci
  • Antonio Pereira
  • Manuel Reichert
  • Marc Schiffer
  • Agustin Silva
  • Thomas Thiemann
  • Neil Turok
  • Fabian Wagner
  • To apply for participation, please follow this link. Please note that space is limited and your application for participation has to be approved by the organizers.
  • Application for online attendance of the talks is an option (see registration form).
  • There is the possibility to apply for the presentation of a poster (see registration form).