Submissions are open for Foundations of 2026!

To submit an abstract, visit foundations2026.us and click “Submit Now”.  You can also view submissions guidelines and see other important information.

Early Bird Registration will open 23rd January 2026 and run until 15th April 2026.  The conference will take place 16th-18th June 2026 at UC Irvine, in Irvine, California USA.

Check back frequently, as we will be adding more information to the site about travel advice, the conference hotel block, registration fees, the conference reception and dinner, and things to do in Southern California.

Call for Contributed Talks and Symposia

We welcome proposals that advance foundational and philosophical questions in physics, regarding quantum mechanics, spacetime theories, statistical physics, cosmology, or other topics at the conceptual frontiers of physics.

Submission deadline: February 1, 2026
Submit through our online portal:

Contributed Talks

We’re looking for talks that make significant new contributions to foundations or philosophy of physics while engaging substantively with existing work in the field. Experimental or historical work with strong foundational or philosophical dimensions is also welcome.

To submit:
Abstract: 300-500 words
Brief bibliography: 3-5 references

Symposia

Propose a coherent 3-4 talk session that collectively advances important debates in the foundations of physics. Strong symposia proposals will bring together diverse perspectives.

To submit:
Overall description: 1200-1500 words
Bibliography: 5-10 references
Short abstract for each talk

Multiple Submissions

You may submit both an individual talk and participate in a proposed symposium. If both are accepted, single-author contributed talks will be canceled; for collaborative work, a co-author not appearing elsewhere on the program should present.

Conference Organization

Please direct any questions about the conference program to: foundationsphysics2026@gmail.com
Program Committee Chairs: Emily Adlam (Chapman), Chris Smeenk (Western)

Local Organising Committee: 
James Weatherall (Chair, UC Irvine, Logic & Philosophy of Science)
Kevork Abazajian (UC Irvine, Physics & Astronomy)
Emily Adlam (Chapman University, Philosophy and Physics)
Jeffrey Barrett (UC Irvine, Logic & Philosophy of Science)
Craig Callender (UC San Diego, Philosophy)
Lu Chen (University of Southern California, Philosophy)
Foad Dizadji-Bahmani (Cal State Los Angeles, Philosophy)
Matthew Leifer (Chapman University, Physics)
JB Manchak (UC Irvine, Logic and Philosophy of Science)
Chip Sebens (California Institute of Technology, Humanities and Social Science)
Daniel Whiteson (UC Irvine, Physics & Astronomy)