A Celebration of the Work of Sir Roger Penrose
27–29 July 2026
All Souls College · University of Oxford
This symposium brings together researchers whose work has been inspired, influenced, or challenged by Sir Roger Penrose. The themes of the symposium span history, philosophy, and physics of general relativity and cosmology, with a focus on mathematical and conceptual innnovations from between 1955 and 1985, and further developments thereafter. Scroll below for the schedule and abstracts.
The talks will be held in the Old Library of All Souls College. The event takes place close to Sir Roger's 95th birthday of August 8th.
There is limited space for external attendees. Kindly contact the organisers to register.
Scientific Programme
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 11:00–12:30 |
Talk 1
Penrose's Spinor Formulation of General Relativity
Dennis Lehmkuhl
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch Break |
| 13:30–15:00 |
Talk 2
Black Hole Thermodynamics and the Discovery of the Area Law (1970-1974)
Klaas Landsman
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 15:00–15:30 | Coffee Break |
| 15:30–17:00 |
Talk 3
Synge and Penrose
Sam Fletcher
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 17:00–17:30 | Tea |
| 17:30–19:00 |
Talk 4
Conformal Structure of Spacetime and Null Infinity
Kartik Tiwari
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 11:00–12:30 |
Talk 5
Asymptotic Structure of de Sitter Spacetimes
Abhay Ashtekar
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30–15:00 |
Talk 6
Pirani and Penrose
Gal Ben Porath
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 15:00–15:30 | Coffee |
| 15:30–17:00 |
Talk 7
Null Infinity and Conformal Cyclic Cosmology
Roger Penrose
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 17:00–17:30 | Tea |
| 17:30–19:00 |
Talk 8
TBA
TBA
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 19:30–21:00 | Conference Dinner — Dining Hall of All Souls College |
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 11:00–12:30 |
Talk 9
TBA
TBA
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30–15:00 |
Talk 10
Singular Regions of Spacetime
Frank Cudek
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 15:00–15:30 | Coffee |
| 15:30–17:00 |
Talk 11
TBA
TBA
[FILL: Abstract text.]
|
| 17:00–17:30 | Tea |
| 17:30–19:00 |
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
All participants
|
Getting There
All Souls College is located in central Oxford, adjacent to the Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library. During the symposium, participants should use the porter's lodge on the High Street. Further information about access, navigation and facilities will be shared here closer to the event.
For navigation: All Souls College, High Street, Oxford OX1 4AL.