ESA’s PLATO mission is scheduled for launch towards the end of 2026. On a similar time frame, the Nancy Grace Roman mission will launch and Gaia Data Release 4 will be provided to the community. By discovering 1000s of new exoplanets in hitherto unexplored regions of parameter space, these missions promise to dramatically improve our knowledge and understanding of exoplanet demographics. Furthermore, PLATO will deliver precise masses, radii, ages and orbital architectures for many systems, providing a high-value dataset for studies of planetary system formation and dynamics.

The 2026 PLATO theory meeting aims to bring together researchers from across Europe and beyond to discuss recent and future planned developments in planet formation and dynamics research, and how this, combined with the forthcoming data, can enhance our understanding of the origins and evolution of planetary systems. The meeting will be structured to include traditional conference-style talks, discussion sessions, and parallel sessions that focus on organising research activities to address the scientific goals of the relevant work packages and working groups. We strongly encourage the participation of researchers working in planet formation and dynamics and who are not currently members of the PLATO consortium. This is an opportunity to get involved in the science related to the PLATO mission objectives. The organisation of PLATO’s exoplanet work packages is illustrated further down this page.

The meeting will be hosted at Queen Mary University of London during the 12th, 13th and 14th January 2026. Registration is free and numbers on-site will be limited to approximately 60. If registered numbers significantly exceed this then we will explore the possibility of hosting the meeting in a hybrid format.

For any queries, please email R.P.Nelson@qmul.ac.uk.

Invited Speakers (TBC)

  • Don Pollacco and David Brown (Warwick): The goals and current status of the PLATO mission
  • Eamonn Kerins (Manchester): Exoplanet science with the Nancy Grace Roman mission

SOC

  • Richard Nelson (chair - QMUL)
  • Ravit Helled (Zurich)
  • Farzana Meru (Warwick)
  • Christoph Mordasini (Bern)

LOC

  • Richard Nelson (QMUL)
  • Ed Gillen (QMUL)
  • Andrew Winter (QMUL)
  • Cynthia Ho (QMUL)
  • Eleftheria Sarafidou (QMUL)
  • Andrew Ringham (QMUL)
  • Beatrice Caccherano (QMUL)

Important Dates

  • Registration and abstract submission opens: 29th August 2025
  • Abstract submission for talks closes: Monday 8th December 2025 (abstract submission for posters remains open)
  • Outcome of abstract submissions: Friday 19th December 2025
  • Final registration deadline: Monday 15th December 2025
  • Meeting: 12th - 14th January 2026

PLATO exoplanet science work packages

PLATO exoplanet work packages

Code of Conduct

(Adapted from RAS and UKEXOM2023)

We value the participation of all attendees and want to ensure everyone will have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Therefore, all attendees are expected to show respect towards other attendees and agree to the code of conduct upon registration and attendance.

This meeting will be a harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, nationality, and religion. We do not tolerate harassment of attendees in any form.

  • Presenters give their time freely. Many have travelled a considerable distance, some are very distinguished, and some are early career scientists perhaps giving a talk at this level for the first time. All deserve a fair and encouraging hearing.

  • Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

  • All communication given by presenters, organisers and attendees should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual language, jokes and imagery is not appropriate for any event.

  • Be kind to other participants and respect local staff. Do not insult or put down other attendees.

  • Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Attendees violating these rules may be asked to leave the event.

If someone wishes to report a breach of this code of conduct with regards to this meeting, then they should contact any of the LOC in person or by email to R.P.Nelson@qmul.ac.uk.

Acknowledgement

This website uses a design based on one produced by
Azib Norazman / UK & Ireland Discs.