PLATO ESP 2026

When & Where

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

Rationale

Theme: "Confronting Exoplanets 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.

Registration

Registration for this workshop is capped at 200 participants.

Abstract submission is open here and will close at 23:59 BST on 14 June 2026.

The registration form will soon be announced here.

Location

MS.02 - Zeeman BuildingLink opens in a new window
University of Warwick Campus, Coventry, UK

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