30 Years of Global Collaboration and Community Engagement:
APCTP Opens a New Era in Basic Science

APCTP to Celebrate Its 30th Anniversary on November 12, Unveiling a Future Vision for
Early-Career Researcher Development and International Collaborative Research

The Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (President Misao SASAKI, hereafter APCTP) will hold a ceremony celebrating its 30th anniversary on November 12 at the POSCO International Center, POSTECH, in Pohang, Korea. A series of commemorative events, including academic forums and special lectures, will take place from November 9 to 13 at the POSCO International Center, Lahan Hotel Pohang, and other venues.

Held under the theme “Three Decades of Discovery, Opening a New Era of Global Science,” the anniversary events will bring together scientists and representatives of major scientific institutions from Korea and abroad. Participants will reflect on APCTP’s research achievements and international collaborations over the past 30 years while discussing the future of basic science and opportunities for further cooperation.

The morning forum on November 12 will feature a special lecture by internationally renowned theoretical physicist Professor Robert Myers, along with discussions among researchers from the Asia-Pacific region on the future direction of basic science. During the afternoon ceremony, APCTP plans to sign cooperation agreements with the American Physical Society (APS), the Niels Bohr International Academy (NBIA) in Denmark, and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), further expanding the foundation for international research exchange.

The ceremony will also include a memorial event honoring Professor Peter Fulde for his contributions to the Center’s development, as well as an introduction to the Peter Fulde Award, which aims to encourage research by early-career physicists. As part of the anniversary events, APCTP will present its mid- to long-term development plan and future vision, outlining its direction as an international hub for research collaboration that supports joint research among scientists in Korea and abroad and fosters the growth of early-career researchers.

The anniversary week's academic program will feature special lectures by researchers who previously worked at APCTP and internationally distinguished scholars. Over three days at Lahan Hotel Pohang and the POSCO International Center, a total of 17 research presentations will cover major fields of theoretical physics, including quantum physics, condensed matter physics, gravitation and cosmology, statistical physics, and complex systems. Researchers from Korea and abroad will share their latest findings and explore opportunities for future collaborative research and academic exchange.

In particular, Professor Jan-Michael Rost, Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, and Professor Ana Achucarro of Leiden University will deliver Plenary Lectures titled “Is Physics Timeless?” and “Observing the Big Bang,” respectively.

Other presentations will address key topics in modern physics, including quantum gravity and black holes, dark energy, and quantum materials. Researchers whose academic connections were established through APCTP will also share the research achievements they have developed at their respective institutions.

International Scientific Program Speakers (in Order of Presentation):

Xin Wan (Professor, Zhejiang University); Igor Di Marco (Professor, Nicolaus Copernicus University); Ki-Seok Kim (Professor, POSTECH); Yili Wang (Researcher, APCTP); Alexander Jahn (Professor, APCTP); Kanghoon Lee (Professor, Korea Institute for Advanced Study, KIAS); Grucharan Mohanta (Researcher, APCTP); Jan-Michael Rost (Director, Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems); Aleksei Chechkin (Professor, Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics); Xin Zhou (Professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences); Mathias Casiulis (Professor, APCTP); Gentaro Watanabe (Professor, Zhejiang University); Arman Shafieloo (Professor, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, KASI); Alberto Escriva (Professor, APCTP); Ana Achucarro (Professor, Leiden University); Rong-Gen Cai (President, Ningbo University); and Worawat Meevasana (Professor, Suranaree University of Technology).

“Over the past 30 years, APCTP has contributed to the advancement of theoretical physics through international collaborative research, academic activities, and the development of early-career researchers, while growing alongside the local community through science outreach activities,” said APCTP President Misao SASAKI.

“We will continue to promote extensive academic exchange and research collaboration in Korea and abroad, working with early-career researchers while sharing the achievements and value of basic science with the local community,” he added.