Welcome
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.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
Organising committee co-chairs
Why attend?
Find out more about Faraday Discussions in the video and FAQs 鈥� see Useful links on the right.A unique conference format that prioritises discussion
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.
An exciting programme of talks 鈥� and more
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!
Your contributions, published and citable
A citable record of the discussion is published in the Faraday Discussions 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.
Themes
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.
Non-adiabatic and ultrafast dynamics: models and measurements
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.
Developing links with large-scale experiments: computing observables and interpreting measurements in new facilities
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.
AI and data-driven approaches in molecular excited states
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�
