FQXi’s Inaugural International Conference

The FQXi Conference is a key element of the Institute’s mission to catalyze, support, and disseminate research on questions at the foundations of physics and cosmology. By bringing together top scientists, outreach specialists, and others who share our commitment to exploring new frontiers and innovative ideas integral to a deep understanding of reality, FQXi aims to build and enhance collaborations between them and catalyze new avenues of thought.

Our Inaugural Conference was held in July in Reykjavik, an exciting “green” city on the west coast of the spectacularly beautiful country of Iceland. Approximately 60 top researchers, journalists, and other interested parties were invited to spend a week brainstorming foundational questions in amazing locales such as the Blue Lagoon, the Langjokull glacier, and the black sand beach near Stokkseyri.

The Conference format was as innovative as FQXi itself: After a day of introductory talks by leaders in their fields, Attendees worked in groups to brainstorm a series of foundational questions. New groups then formed to discuss and debate these questions, stimulating hours of fun discussion involving all participants. Most of these group sessions took place on excursions throughout the country.

For FQXi, at least, the Conference was a great success! And we look forward to the next one!