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The Olympian Symposium 2026

The Evolution of Interstellar Medium Across Cosmic Times

May 18 – 22, 2026
Paralia Katerini, Greece

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Scientific Rationale


The interstellar medium plays a fundamental role in the life cycle of galaxies, acting as the reservoir from which stars and planetary systems form, and as the matter returned through stellar feedback processes. Tracing the evolution of the ISM from the early universe to the present day is essential to understanding galaxy formation, chemical enrichment, star formation histories, and the emergence of habitable environments.

Recent advances in both observations and numerical models — from JWST and ALMA to high-resolution simulations — now allow us to study the ISM across a wide range of epochs and environments. This Symposium aims to bring together experts in galactic and extragalactic ISM studies, star formation, astrochemistry, and cosmology to synthesize our current understanding and chart future directions.

Held under the shadow of Mount Olympus, this meeting will provide a platform for open discussions, inter-disciplinary insight, and forward-looking strategies in interstellar medium research. This is the fourth Olympian Symposium focusing on star-formation, a series of Symposia that started in 2014.


Discussion topics


TBD


Invited Speakers


TBD


Committees

Scientific Organizing Committee
(Not yet finalized)
Thomas Bisbas (Zhejiang Lab, China; co-chair)
Brandt Gaches (University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany; co-chair)
Kathryn Grasha (Australian National University, Australia)

Local Organizing Committee
(Not yet finalized)
Thomas Bisbas (Zhejiang Lab, China; Chair)


Fees


TBD

Important Dates

The Olympian Symposium 2026 will take place in the Olympic Riviera, Pieria, Greece. It is the fifth conference of the Olympian Symposium Series and the fourth focusing on star-formation. The venue of the conference is close to Olympus mountain, world famous for its mythology and for being the home of the twelve ancient gods.

WHERE
Paralia Katerinis
Mt. Olympus
Pieria, Greece

WHEN
Monday to Friday
May 18 to May 22, 2026

Mediterranean Village Hotel & Spa

Paralia Katerinis, Olympic Riviera,
Pieria, Greece