PLATO ESP 2026

When & Where

16th to 18th September 2026 at the University of Warwick, UK

Rationale

Theme: "Confronting Planets Across Time and Space"

Exoplanet science is entering a new era. With thousands of planets now known, the focus is shifting from discovery to understanding how planetary systems form, evolve, and compare across cosmic time.

This conference brings that challenge into focus, linking planets from their birth in protoplanetary discs to their evolution around mature and even dying stars. By combining observations, theory, and new technologies, we aim to place individual systems into a broader evolutionary context.

At the heart of this effort is the PLATO mission. By delivering precise stellar ages alongside planetary properties, PLATO will enable the first population-level studies of planetary evolution, transforming our understanding of system architectures and their origins.

Bringing together observers, theorists, and instrumentalists, this meeting will define the next steps for exoplanet science in the PLATO era.

The full conference schedule is here with the full Conference Abstract Book here.

Registration

Registration is now closed, and logistical and connection information will soon be sent to attendees. Letters of Invitation are available upon request.

Early Career Researcher Fee Waiver

Early career researchers may apply for a fee waiver to reimburse registration, travel, and accommodation costs. This includes, but is not limited to, ESA Academy support of Master students to attend the PLATO ESP 2026 meeting under the ESA Academy Conference Student Sponsorship Programme.

The fee waiver form is now closed and applicants have been notified.

Location

Presentations will be given in the ground floor MS0.02 lecture hall - Zeeman Building with posters in room A0.05, and, coffee, and lunches hosted in the nearby Street. Breakout rooms for discussions during the breaks can be found on the second floor of the Zeeman Building in MS0.04 and MS0.05.

You can find directions to the University of Warwick Campus, Coventry, UK here.

SOC

• Thomas Wilson (University of Warwick) – chair
• David Brown (University of Warwick) – co-chair
• Lauren Doyle (University of Warwick) – co-chair
• Suzanne Aigrain (University of Oxford)
• Juan Cabrera (DLR)
• Magali Deleuil (LAM)
• Ana Heras (ESA)
• Hugh Osborn (Bern University)
• Isabella Pagano (INAF)
• Giampaolo Piotto (Padova University)
• Don Pollacco (University of Warwick)
• Heike Rauer (DLR/FU Berlin)
• Sophia Sulis (LAM)
• Stéphane Udry (Geneva University)

LOC

from the University of Warwick:

• Thomas Wilson
• David Brown
• Lauren Doyle
• James McCormac

• Andreas Hadjigeorghiou

• Yoshi Eschen