2026 Simons Collaboration on Global Categorical Symmetries Annual Meeting

Thursday, November 19, 2026

Friday, November 20, 2026

Clay Córdova
University of Chicago

Charting Quantum Field Theories with AI

Clay Córdova will describe ongoing work using techniques from machine learning and agentic AI to expand our knowledge of the space of quantum field theories with emphasis on topological and conformal field theories.

Michele Del Zotto
Uppsala University

TQFTs from Multipartite Entanglement

Gapped lattice models are expected to flow to TQFTs at long distances. How much of this infrared TQFT can be reconstructed directly from the lattice-model ground state? In joint work with Abhijit Gadde and Pavel Putrov, Michele Del Zotto conjectured a new formula that recovers all TQFT partition functions on closed manifolds from specific multipartite entanglement invariants, and they verified the formula for all Levin–Wen lattice models in (2+1) dimensions and, more generally, for the Douglas–Reutter state-sum TQFTs in (3+1) dimensions. In this talk, Del Zotto will illustrate the result and discuss open questions.

Julia Plavnik
Indiana University

Equivariantization, Orbifolding, and Zesting

Constructing new fusion and braided categories from existing ones is a central theme in development of the theory tensor categories, providing both a source of new examples and tools for understanding categorical structure and the relations between seemingly different constructions. Equivariantization, orbifolding, and zesting are three such constructions, arising from different categorical structures and motivations.

In this talk, Julia Plavnik will discuss connections between these constructions in the setting of G-crossed ribbon categories. Plavnik will first explain how equivariantization can be understood from the perspective of orbifold data and then discuss ongoing work on the interplay between zesting and orbifolding in the G-crossed setting. This talk is based on joint works with S. Heinrich, I. Runkel, and A. Watkins.

Tomer Schlank
Harvard University

Toward Categorically Equivariant TMF Modules

Given a finite group \(G\), Lurie defines a TMF module \(\mathrm{TMF}^G\). Meier and Gepner extended this construction to compact Lie groups. The Stolz–Teichner program suggests that it should admit a further extension: for suitable fusion category 𝒞, there should be a \(\mathrm{TMF}\) module \(\mathrm{TMF}^{𝒞}\) such that \(\mathrm{TMF}^{\mathrm{Rep}(G)} \simeq \mathrm{TMF}^G\). Tomer Schlank will describe a new construction that goes in this direction for certain “(p)-nilpotent” fusion categories. This is work in progress with Mayuko Yamashita.

Yosuke Kubota
Kyoto University

The Omega-Spectrum of Invertible Gapped Quantum Spin Systems

In this talk, Yosuke Kubota will review his formulation and proof of Kitaev’s Omega spectrum conjecture, following the preprint, arXiv:2503.12618. The conjecture states that the family of spaces of d-dimensional invertible gapped quantum systems forms an Omega spectrum, based on operator algebraic functional analysis of lattice quantum spin systems. Kubota will explain the formulation of the conjecture, give an outline of the proof, and discuss subsequent developments.

Yifan Wang
New York University

From Symmetry to Defects and Back

The modern formulation of symmetry in terms of topological defects has uncovered new symmetry structures in quantum field theory and yielded powerful constraints on its dynamics. Yet some of the most interesting realizations of these structures involve non-topological defects, for which a complete mathematical formulation remains elusive. In this talk, Yifan Wang will discuss recent results that connect these two settings: how knowledge of topological defects constrains the properties and dynamics of non-topological defects, and how studying the latter, in turn, further enriches our understanding of symmetry itself.

Claudia Scheimbauer
Technical University of Munich

Towards a SymTFT Using Dualizability

For understanding symmetries of (topological) field theories in the functorial field theory setting, recently the quiche or sandwich picture was proposed by Freed–Moore–Teleman following long-standing previous ideas on defects and boundaries as describing symmetries. A mathematically rigorous way to implement this picture is to use twisted aka relative field theories.

A popular target of fully extended topological field theories is the higher Morita category of \(E_n\)-algebras. In this talk, Claudia Scheimbauer will explain ingredients to find symmetry data for the quiche/sandwich TFT picture in these higher Morita categories. The main one is the proof of a conjecture by Lurie characterizing \((n+1)\)-dualizability in the higher Morita categories. Combining this with a setting of categories enriched in Steffen’s aggregated vector spaces, we obtain SymTFTs determined by Rep G for a compact Lie group.

Constantin Teleman
University of California, Berkeley

Topological Gauge Theory in Dimensions 2 and 3

In a series of lectures (Austin 2011, ICM 2014), Constantin Teleman developed the mathematical theory of topological Lie group actions on (dg) categories, with a matching complex character calculus. Now understood as the 3D mirror for pure gauge theory, this can be seen as correcting the geometric representation theory approach, based on D-modules. The 2D boundary theories, built from A-models with group action, map to 2D boundary theories for the (incomplete) Rozansky–Witten theory of the Toda space of the Langlands dual group.

Boundary theories are built using equivariant Floer theory, whose tentative state at the time required excessive care in formulating statements and conjectures. This led to the impression that the theory itself (rather than the Floer package of examples) was loosely defined. One aim of this lecture, beyond review, is to dispel this, and also explain how subsequent developments (Coulomb branches, equivariant symplectic cohomology) fit into the original framework.

Participation in the meeting falls into the following four categories. An individual’s participation category is communicated via their letter of invitation.

The Simons Foundation will never ask for credit card information or require payment for registration to our events.

Group A – PIs, Speakers & Organizers

Individuals in Group A receive travel and hotel coordination within the following parameters:

Travel
Economy Class: For flights that are three hours or less to your destination, the maximum allowable class of service is Economy class.
Premium Economy Class: For flights where the total air travel time (excluding connection time) is more than three hours and less than seven hours per segment to your destination, the maximum allowable class of service is premium economy.
Business Class: When traveling internationally (or to Hawaii/Alaska) travelers are permitted to travel in Business Class on those segments that are seven hours or more. If the routing is over budget, a premium economy or mixed-class ticket will be booked.

Hotel
Up to 3 nights at the conference hotel, arriving on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 and departing on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

Group B – Funded Participants

Individuals in Group B receive travel and hotel coordination within the following parameters:

Travel
Economy class travel will be booked regardless of flight length.

Hotel
Up to 3 nights at the conference hotel, arriving on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 and departing on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

Group C – Unfunded Participants

Individuals in Group C will not receive financial support but are encouraged to enjoy all conference-hosted meals.

Group D – Remote Participants

Individuals in Group D will participate in the meeting remotely.

Air and Rail

For funded individuals, the foundation will arrange and pay for round-trip travel from their home city to the conference city. All travel and hotel arrangements must be booked through the Simons Foundation’s preferred travel agency.

Travel Deviations

The following travel specifications are considered deviations and will only be accommodated if the cost is less than or equal to the amount the Simons Foundation would pay for a standard round-trip ticket from your home city to the conference city:

• Preferred airline
• Preferred travel class
• Specific flights/flight times
• Travel dates outside those associated with the conference
• Arriving or departing from an airport other than your home city or conference city airports, i.e. multi-segment or triangle trips.

All deviations must be reviewed and approved by the Simons Foundation and, if the cost is more than what would normally be paid, a reimbursement quote must be obtained through the foundation’s travel agency before proceeding to booking and paying for travel out of pocket. All reimbursements for travel booked directly will be paid after the conclusion of the meeting.

Changes After Ticketing

All costs related to changes made to ticketed travel are to be paid for by the participant and are not reimbursable. Please contact the foundation’s travel agency for further assistance.

Personal & Rental Cars

Personal car and rental trips over 250 miles each way require prior approval from the Simons Foundation via email.

Rental cars must be pre-approved by the Simons Foundation.

The Hotel Seville NoMad offers valet parking. Please note there are no in-and-out privileges when using the hotel’s garage, therefore it is encouraged that participants walk or take public transportation to the Simons Foundation.

Hotel

Funded individuals who require hotel accommodations are hosted by the foundation for a maximum of 3 nights at the conference hotel, arriving on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 and departing on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

Any additional nights are at the attendee’s own expense. To arrange accommodations, please register at the link included in your invitation.

Hotel Seville NoMad
22 E 29th St
New York, NY 10016
(between 28th and 29th Streets)
https://www.hyatt.com/unbound-collection/en-US/nycud-hotel-seville-nomad

For driving directions to the Hotel Seville NoMad, please click here.

Overview

In-person participants will be reimbursed for meals and local expenses including ground transportation. Expenses should be submitted through the foundation’s online expense reimbursement platform after the meeting’s conclusion.

Expenses accrued because of meetings not directly related to the Simons Foundation-hosted meeting (a satellite meeting or meeting held at another institution, for example) will not be reimbursed by the Simons Foundation and should be paid by other sources.

Below are key reimbursement takeaways; a full policy will be provided with the final logistics email circulated approximately 2 weeks prior to the meeting’s start.

Meals

The daily meal limit is $125; itemized receipts are required for expenses over $24 USD. The foundation DOES NOT provide a meal per diem and only reimburses actual meal expenses up the following amounts.

• Breakfast $20
• Lunch $30
• Dinner $75

Allowable Meal Expenses

• Meals taken on travel days (when you traveled by air or train).
• Meals not provided on a meeting day, dinner on Friday for example.
• Group dinners consisting of fellow meeting participants paid by a single person will be reimbursed up to $75 per person and the amount will count towards the $125 daily meal limit.

Unallowable Meal Expenses

• Meals taken outside those provided by the foundation (breakfast, lunch, breaks and/or dinner).
• Meals taken on days not associated with Simons Foundation-coordinated events.
• Minibar expenses.
• Meal expenses for a non-foundation guest.

• Ubers, Lyfts, taxis, etc., taken to and from restaurants in Manhattan.

  • Accommodations will be made for those with mobility restrictions.

Ground Transportation

Expenses for ground transportation will be reimbursed for travel days (i.e. traveling to/from the airport or train station) as well as subway and bus fares while in Manhattan are reimbursable.

Transportation to/from satellite meetings are not reimbursable.

Attendance

In-person participants and speakers are expected to attend all meeting days. Participants receiving hotel and travel support wishing to arrive on meeting days which conclude at 2:00 PM will be asked to attend remotely.

Entry & Building Access

Upon arrival, guests will be required to show their photo ID to enter the Simons Foundation and Flatiron Institute buildings. After checking-in at the meeting reception desk, guests will be able to show their meeting name badge to re-enter the building. If you forget your name badge, you will need to provide your photo ID.

The Simons Foundation and Flatiron Institute buildings are not considered “open campuses” and meeting participants will only have access to the spaces in which the meeting will take place. All other areas are off limits without prior approval.

If you require a private space to conduct a phone call or remote meeting, please contact your meeting manager at least 48-hours ahead of time so that they may book a space for you within the foundation’s room reservation system.

Guests & Children

Meeting participants are required to give 24-hour advance notice of any guests meeting them at the Simons Foundation either before or after the meeting. Outside guests are discouraged from joining meeting activities, including meals.

With the exception of Simons Foundation and Flatiron Institute staff, ad hoc meeting participants who did not receive a meeting invitation directly from the Simons Foundation are not permitted.

Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend meetings at the Simons Foundation. Furthermore, the Simons Foundation does not provide childcare facilities or support of any kind. Special accommodations will be made for nursing parents.

Meeting & Policy Questions

Christina Darras
Events Manager
[email protected]

Travel & Hotel Support

FCM Travel Meetings & Events
[email protected]
Hours: M-F, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM ET
+1-888-789-6639