Molecular excited states theory and experiment Faraday Discussion
The Faraday Discussions are unique international discussion meetings
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Join us in Cambridge in September 2026 for this edition of the Faraday Discussion series, unique international discussion meetings that address current and emerging topics at the forefront of the physical sciences.听
The Discussion will bring together early-career and established scientists, from different sub-disciplines of theoretical and computational chemistry and of non-linear and ultrafast spectroscopies with a focus on processes involving more than one electronic state.
The Discussion aims to define the frontiers for research at the intersections of theory and experiment through highlighting open questions. Intersections refer to more than 鈥渃onical intersections鈥 and include the required overlap between sub-disciplines in theory (electronic structure, dynamics & spectroscopy) to model observables that can then be confronted against and help interpret state-of-the-art experimental measurements rooted in emerging new technologies and facilities.
This is an unmissable opportunity to share and discover new work, reconnect with colleagues and establish new collaborations. On behalf of the organising committee, we look forward to welcoming you to Cambridge.
Javier Segarra Mart铆 & Michael Bearpark (Co-chairs)
Why attend?听
Find out more about Faraday Discussions in the video and FAQs 鈥 see听Useful links on the right.听
A unique conference format that prioritises discussion听
At a Faraday Discussion, the primary research papers written by the speakers are distributed to all participants before the meeting 鈥 ensuring that most of the meeting is devoted to discussing the latest research.
This provides a genuinely collaborative environment, where discussion and debate are at the foreground. All delegates, not just speakers, are invited to make comments, ask questions, or present complementary or contradictory measurements and calculations.听
An exciting programme of talks 鈥 and more听
Take part in a well-balanced mix of talks, discussion, poster sessions and informal networking, delivered by our expert events team. You can explore the full programme in the downloadable files on the right 鈥 whether you鈥檙e attending in-person or online, every minute provides an opportunity.
The conference dinner, included in the registration fee, contains the Marlow Cup ceremony: a unique commemoration of past Faraday Discussion organisers that is sure to encourage further discussions over dinner.
In-depth discussion with leaders in the field
World-leading and established researchers connect with each other and early-career scientists and postgraduate students to discuss the latest research and drive science forwards. It鈥檚 a unique atmosphere 鈥 and challenging others to get to the heart of the problem is encouraged!听
Your contributions, published and citable听
A citable record of the discussion is published in the Faraday Discussions听journal, alongside the research papers. Questions, comments and remarks become a valuable part of the published scientific conversation, and every delegate can make a major contribution.
Discover Cambridge鈥
The Discussion will take place in historical Cambridge. Step out to explore the city while you鈥檙e here 鈥 or stay a few extra days to explore the city further and the surrounding area.听
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The excited state electronic structure problem: new methods and computer architectures鈥
We aim to define and discuss open questions in the field of computational molecular excited states. We seek new ideas on: how to address the electron correlation problem for excited states; ways to implement / accelerate older / standard ab initio methods so they can find new uses; and their importance in the photochemical context. We aim to highlight novel, emerging approaches based on completely different principles that may contribute towards understanding excited states and their evolution from a computational standpoint longer term, as well as different hardware platforms where these can be implemented.听
Non-adiabatic and ultrafast dynamics: models and measurements听
With the advent of ever faster measurements and the emergence of more accurate theories to model them, we aim to understand the implications of measuring and modelling nuclear vs coupled electron + nuclear dynamics in photochemistry and photophysics. Topics to focus on here include: balancing the accuracy of electronic structure calculations versus accuracy of dynamics methods; Attochemistry and the emerging roles of electronic state superpositions and controlling their evolution in molecules; time-resolved experiments able to unambiguously measure ultrafast processes and how they can be connected with theory; understanding delocalised excitations in macromolecules and extended systems.听
Developing links with large-scale experiments: computing observables and interpreting measurements in new facilities听
This session will focus on new ideas for investigating and controlling molecular excited states with new light sources. We will discuss experimental and theoretical perspectives on state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopic techniques, led by experimentalists working with frontier technologies. Topics include: understanding the computable observables measured in emerging experiments, and what needs to be done to better make connections between theory and experiment; new insights into molecular photo-processes with a direct impact on our understanding of the chemistry of molecular excited states; observing relevant processes at the intersection between nuclear and electronic timescales; how state superpositions are probed by theory and experiment, and whether there is a need to define new community benchmark systems.听
AI and data-driven approaches in molecular excited states听
The emergence of artificial intelligence algorithms and data-driven approaches stand to change the way we think about and perform computing tasks, paving the way for simulations that were previously unfeasible. How does the field of computational molecular excited states connect specifically with these novel software platforms? Which emerging AI and data-driven approaches are expected over the next decade? And what accuracy can/should be expected from AI-based techniques to make them appropriate for excited state simulations?鈥
Useful links
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Faraday Discussion meetings FAQs
Find out more about these unique meetings
Downloads
Speakers
Michael A Robb (Introductory lecture)
Imperial College London
UK
Graham A. Worth (Closing remarks lecture)
University College London
UK
Katharina Boguslawski
Nicolaus Copernicus University
Poland
Ksenia Bravaya
University of Boston
United States
Pavlo O. Dral
NCU in Torun, Poland; Xiamen University and Aitomistic
China
Nanna List
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Sweden
Mary Matthews
Imperial College London
UK
Thomas Wolf
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
United States
Committees
Michael Bearpark (Co-chair)
Imperial College London
UK
Javier Segarra Mart (Co-chair)
Universitat de Valncia
Spain
Roco Borrego-Varillas
CNR
Italy
Basile Curchod
Bristol University
UK
Oksana Plekan
Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste
Italy
Morgane Vacher
Universit茅 Nantes
France
Event details
Oral abstracts
Oral abstract submission is now closed.
Submit an oral/paper abstract if you wish to be considered for an oral presentation and associated published paper by 15 December 2025. A full research paper containing new unpublished resulsts always accompanies oral presentations at Faraday Discussions. The oral/paper abstract should outline current research in progress. Authors of the selected abstracts must then submit a full research paper with a significant amount of new, unpublished work,听by听20 April 2026.
The research papers are reviewed upon submission and are sent to all delegates 4 weeks before the meeting so they can be read in advance. At the meeting the presenting author is allowed five minutes to highlight the main points of their paper, and the rest of the time is for discussion. The discussion is recorded and will be published alongside the research paper in the Faraday Discussions听惫辞濒耻尘别.听
Poster abstracts
Submit a poster abstract by听29 June 2026. Posters are displayed throughout the meeting and a poster session is held on the first evening.听 A poster prize will be awarded to the best student poster presented at the conference.
Additional information
All oral and poster abstracts will be reviewed by the committee. Authors will be notified of the outcome of the review process within about 6 weeks of the submission deadline. The abstracts should be no longer than one A4 page in portrait layout. Please ensure you provide the details of the presenting author and indicate whether you are submitting an abstract for oral or poster presentation.
Deadlines
Registration is now open
Registration includes:
- Attendance at all scientific sessions
- Attendance at the poster session
- Refreshments throughout the meeting and lunch on all three days
- Attendance at the poster drinks reception on 14 September 2026
- Attendance at the conference dinner on 16 September 2026
- Access to all journal paper PDF 鈥減re-prints鈥 before the meeting
- For full paying delegates, a copy of the听Faraday Discussions journal volume, issued approximately 5 months after the meeting, containing all papers presented at the meeting and accompanying discussion comments. Student delegates may purchase a copy of the volume at less than half price, during the registration process or on site at the meeting.听
| 听 | Early bird | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| RSC member | 拢445+痴础罢 | 拢505+痴础罢 |
| Non-member | 拢545+痴础罢 | 拢620+痴础罢 |
| RSC student member | 拢225+痴础罢 | 拢275+痴础罢 |
| Student non-member | 拢275+痴础罢 | 拢325+痴础罢 |
| Accompanying person | 拢125+痴础罢 | 拢125+痴础罢 |
All prices quoted do not include VAT, which is added during registration at the prevailing rate in the UK
RSC members and student RSC members
If you are a 新月直播app下载 member and wish to register for this meeting, please select the member option on the online registration page. You will need to enter your membership number.
Student delegates
In order to encourage undergraduate or postgraduate students to attend the Discussion, a reduced conference fee is available for students. This fee applies to those undertaking a full-time course for a recognised degree or a diploma at a university or equivalent institution. A copy of the听Faraday Discussions听journal volume containing papers presented at the Discussion (issued approximately 5 months after the meeting) is not included in the student registration fee. Students may purchase a copy of the volume at less than half price, during the registration process or on site at the meeting.
Accompanying person
If you would like to bring a guest to the conference, this can be done during the registration process. There will be an additional charge, which will include all lunches, refreshments and the conference dinner. The fee does not include attendance at any scientific sessions, journal paper pre-prints or the journal volume.
Accessibility
The 新月直播app下载 is keen to encourage and enable as many people as possible to attend our events, to benefit from the networking opportunities and the chance to hear talks from leaders in the field. If you would like to discuss accessibility, or have childcare, caring responsibilities or other care needs, please contact us to discuss your requirements so that we can enable your attendance. Please refer also to our Grants for Carers fund; for more information please see the 鈥楤ursaries鈥 section on this page
Deadlines
Grants for Carers
With our Grants for Carers, you can apply for up to 拢1,200 per year to help you attend a chemistry-related meeting, conference or workshop or a professional development event. This money would be used to cover any additional costs you incur, paying for care that you usually provide. Please visit the website for further information and eligibility criteria.Accessibility Grants
With our Accessibility Grants, you can apply for up to 拢1,200 per year to help with the cost of specific support to attend a chemistry-related meeting, conference, workshop or professional development event. This support might be any form of equipment, service, or other personal expense associated with meeting your access needs.Researcher Development and Travel Grants
If you are an RSC member and you are one of the following:- a PhD student actively undertaking a PhD course in the chemical sciences
- a researcher in the chemical sciences (including post docs, research technicians and research assistants)
- working in academia, industry or any sector
- within 10 years of leaving full time education (at the time of the application deadline).
Please see the website for up-to-date information on eligibility, how to apply and submission deadlines.
Researcher Development and Travel Grants can be applied for in addition to Grants for Carers and Assistance Grants.
If you would like more information about sponsoring the 2026 Faraday Discussions series, please contact the Commercial Sales Department at the 新月直播app下载 on [email protected]
Homerton College
Homerton College, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8PH, UK
Events Team
新月直播app下载
Thomas Graham House, 新月直播app下载 Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF UK