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On this long-term workshop
The Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP) has organized long-term workshops under the Yukawa International Program of Quark-Hadron Sciences (YIPQS) since 2007, supported by MEXT, Japan, to promote intensive discussions and collaborations on selected research topics.
The present workshop, “New Frontiers in QCD 2026", continues the series held in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2018. It aims to provide a comprehensive forum for discussing recent advances and future directions in quantum chromodynamics (QCD).
Recent progress in QCD spans theory, experiment, observation, and computation. Astrophysical observations of neutron stars, heavy-ion collision experiments, and prospects from the future Electron–Ion Collider are providing new insights into dense matter, the quark–gluon plasma, and nucleon structure. At the same time, theoretical developments—including new approaches to the sign problem and generalized global symmetries—are deepening our understanding of gauge theories.
This workshop brings together researchers across disciplines to review recent developments and explore future directions in QCD. Participants will stay at YITP and engage in extended discussions in a collaborative environment in Kyoto.
Schedule & Venue
Start: October 12, Close: November 13, 2026
Note: The scientific program will begin on October 13 (Tue) since October 12 is a national holiday in Japan.
Panasonic Auditorium, Yukawa Hall, Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Directions to the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP) can be found on this page.
Registration Deadlines
Onsite participants requesting visa support and/or financial support: July 15, 2026
Onsite participants without support: August 15, 2026
Online participants: November 13, 2026
Due to limited seating, desk space, and facilities, the number of participants may be restricted. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Submission for the presentations
Submission deadline: August 15, 2026
The selection process for contributed talks will take place around mid-July. Please note that all presentations will be conducted in person only.
Workshop topics
(1st week, Oct. 12-16) High-energy QCD
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Three-Dimensional Structure of Nucleons
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Origins of Spin and Mass
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Small-x Physics and Gluon Saturation
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Hadron Structure from Lattice QCD
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Theoretical Preparations for Future Experimental Data at EIC
(2nd week, Oct. 19-23) QCD Matter under Extreme Conditions
- Heavy-Ion Collisions and QGP Dynamics
- Exploring the Phase Diagram of QCD: Lattice QCD and Analytical Approaches
(3rd week, Oct. 26-30) Symposium
(4th week, Nov. 2-6) Dense QCD Matter and Compact Stars
- Neutron Star Structure and the Equation of State
- Multimessenger Astronomy: Supernovae and Neutron Star Mergers
- Quarkyonic Matter and Color Superconductivity in High-Density QCD
- Numerical Approaches to Dense QCD
(5th week, Nov. 9-13) Theoretical Developments in QCD and related topics
- Mechanisms of Confinement in QCD-like Theories
- Nonperturbative Phenomena of Defects and Low-Dimensional QFTs
- Generalized Global Symmetries and Their Applications
- New Approaches in Lattice Gauge Theories
Organizers
International Advisory Committee
Elke Aschenauer (BNL)
Daniël Boer (Groningen U.)
Shin-Ichi Esumi (Tsukuba U.)
Margarita Garcia Perez (Madrid, IFT)
Zohar Komargodski (Stony Brook U.)
Aleksi Kurkela (Stavanger U.)
Cristina Manuel (CSIC, Catalunya)
Yannick Meurice (Iowa U.)
Owe Phillipsen (Frankfurt U.)
Jianwei Qiu (JLab)
Sanjay Reddy (Washington U.)
Misha Stephanov (Illinois U.)
Mithat Ünsal (NCSU, Raleigh)
Raju Venugopalan (BNL)
Organizing committee
Yoshimasa Hidaka (YITP, chair)
Yukinao Akamatsu (National Institute of Technology, Matsue College)
Takahiro Doi (Kyoto University)
Yuki Fujimoto (Niigata University)
Kenji Fukushima (University of Tokyo)
Taku Gunji (University of Tokyo)
Masaru Hongo (Niigata University)
Etsuko Itou (YITP)
Masakiyo Kitazawa (YITP)
Toru Kojo (Tohoku University)
Chiho Nonaka (Hiroshima University)
Yasuki Tachibana (Akita International University)
Yuya Tanizaki (YITP)
Kazuhiro Watanabe (Tohoku University)
Arata Yamamoto (RIKEN)
Naoki Yamamoto (Keio University)