The programme “Synergies in non-equilibrium QFT: from heavy ions to the cosmos” will take place from 21 June to 9 July 2027 at the Bernoulli Center at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Non-equilibrium quantum field theory plays a central role in both heavy-ion physics and primordial cosmology. Despite the vastly different physical scales involved, the two communities face closely analogous problems such as thermalisation, phase transitions, non-thermal fixed points, turbulent dynamics, and the emergence of effective descriptions. They also make use of closely related theoretical tools, including the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism, kinetic theory, classical-statistical methods, and effective field theory. These techniques have nonetheless developed largely independently in the two fields. The aim of the programme is to bring the communities together, exchange methods and perspectives, and identify problems where progress in one area can inform the other.

The programme opens with an international school for early-career researchers on real-time and out-of-equilibrium QFT techniques (21–25 June) followed by two symposia: Non-equilibrium phase transitions and critical dynamics (28 June–2 July) and Far from equilibrium dynamics and thermalisation (5–9 July).

There will also be a retreat week at Les Diablerets from 11 to 16 July.