Registration

  • 2026-10-31 - Registration Deadline
  • 2026-11-07 - Poster Session Abstract Submission Deadline
Registration
Poster Session Abstract Submission
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About the Jointly-hosted Workshop

One of the deepest questions in science today is the relationship between gravity and quantum mechanics. Albert Einstein spent much of the latter part of his life tackling this question, and research into this question has led to many beautiful mathematics and scientific discoveries such as string theory, M-theory etc. However, recently, researchers have begun to ask if there are "table-top" experiments which can probe this question - experiments, though still very challenging, that may be able to unlock some answers to these deep issues. This new line of inquiry is opening up new fields of research and brings together theorists and experimentalists to investigate what types of "table-top" experiments can shed light on the enigmatic relationship between gravity and quantum. Solving this - and uncovering the fundamental relationship between gravity and quantum mechanics would be a ground breaking result - impacting many fields of science. This workshop - held in Tokyo - will provide an introduction to this new area of research, and bring together researchers wishing to learn and those already working, in this exciting new field of research. See a quick video intro here.

 

The workshop, jointly run by OIST and Univ of Tokyo, will run for two days from December 14 - 15 2026 at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology offices in Toranomon Hills, Minato City, Tokyo. 

The workshop will feature pedagogical lectures and talks by the following invited speakers.

  • Prof. Julen Pedernales (Delft University of Technology)
  • Prof. Marko Toroš (University of Ljubljana)
  • Prof. Sugumi Kanno (Kyushu University) (To be confirmed)
  • Prof. Tomohiro Fujita (Ochanomizu University)
  • Prof. Haruna Katayama (Hiroshima University)
  • Prof. Akira Matsumara (Kyushu University)
  • Prof. Yasusada Nambu (Nagoya University) (To be confirmed)
  • Prof. Kazuhiro Yamamoto (Kyushu University) 

In addition, the following research groups from the University of Tokyo will host laboratory tours

  • Prof. Yuta Michimura (Instrument science and astronomy of gravitational waves. Laser interferometry)
  • Prof. Masaki Ando (Observation of gravitational waves. Tests of GR and macroscopic quantum measurement)
  • Prof. Kiyotaka Aikawa (Levitated Optomechanics. Hybrid Quantum Systems)

In parallel, we will have a poster session.

Workshop program

Monday | 14 December 2026

9:00 am

Welcome

9:10 am

Prof. Sugumi Kanno : Focus on probing quantum graviton states using gravitational waves

9:45 am

Prof. Marko Toroš : Plenary talk on "Table-top" tests of quantum gravity

11:15 am

Coffee Break

11:30 am

Prof. Akira Matsumara : Focus on testing Gravity Induced Entanglement

12:15 pm

Prof. Tomohiro Fujita : Focus on boosting the signatures of Gravitationally induced entanglement

1:00 pm

Lunch Time

3:30 pm

Lab Tours : At the University of Tokyo

3:30 pm

Poster session : At the University of Tokyo

Tuesday | 15 December 2026

9:00 am

Prof. Haruna Katayama : Focus on analogue gravity

9:45 am

Prof. Julen Pedernales : Plenary talk on "Table-top" tests of quantum gravity

11:15 am

Coffee Break

11:30 am

Prof. Kazuhiro Yamamoto : Focus on Gravitationally Induced Entanglement in Optomechanics

12:15 am

Prof. Yasusada Nambu : Focus on Gravitationally Induced Entanglement using astrophysical science

1:00 pm

Wrap-up

Workshop Venues: 

  • Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology offices in Toranomon Hills, Minato City, Tokyo.  [MAP]
  • University of Tokyo Hongo Campus [MAP]

Registration: All those wishing to join should REGISTER using the Registration Form above. DEADLINE is October 31st. We will confirm on November 9th the definitive list of participants, and notify each applicant via email whether the application was accepted.

Poster Session: We kindly ask those attendees interested in presenting a poster to fill in the Poster Session Abstract Submission Form above. The DEADLINE is November 7th. We will confirm on November 16th the definitive list of poster session participants, and notify each applicant via email whether the application was accepted.

Accommodation: Please book your accommodation far in advance in nearby hotels, guesthouses, airbnbs or homestays. 

How to arrive to OIST Tokyo offices:

From Tokyo Station: 

  1. Take the Marunouchi Line in direction to Ogikubo Station, and get off at Kasumigaseki Station. Walk towards OIST offices. Alternatively:

  2. Walk towards nearby Kyobashi Station and take the Ginza Line in direction to Shibuya Station. Get off at Toranomon Station. Walk towards OIST offices. 

How to arrive to the University of Tokyo Hongo Campus: 

From OIST Tokyo offices: Walk towards Toranomon Station and take the Ginza Line in direction to Shibuya station. Get off at the next stop, Tameike-sannō station. Take the Namboku Line in direction to Akabane-Iwabuchi station. Get off at Todaime Station. Walk towards University of Tokyo Hongo Campus. 

Workshop fee and Registration: There is no fee for participation or attendance to this workshop but space is limited.

What is covered by the workshop: The workshop will cover the facilities for the venues and coffee breaks. All other costs should be covered by each participant.

Organizing Committee

  • Prof. Jason Twamley (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)
  • Prof. Yuta Michimura (University of Tokyo)
  • Prof. Masaki Ando (University of Tokyo)
  • Prof. Kiyotaka Aikawa (University of Tokyo)
  • Prof. Kentaro Somiya (Institute of Science Tokyo)
  • Asst. Prof. Shilu Tian (Institute of Science Tokyo)
  • Alexander Henry Hodges (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology) (Email: alexander.hodges@oist.jp)
  • Dr. José Luis Gaona Reyes (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology) (Email:  jose.gaonareyes@oist.jp)

For any additional information or inquires, please contact Alex and José Luis at the emails provided above.