Quantum field theory (QFT) is experiencing a remarkable renaissance. Recent years have seen transformative developments across its many subfields: the conformal bootstrap has enabled unprecedented precision in the study of critical phenomena; the functional renormalization group has matured into a powerful nonperturbative tool with applications ranging from quantum gravity to ultracold atoms; and holographic dualities continue to yield deep insights into strongly coupled matter. At the same time, the boundaries between high-energy physics, condensed matter theory, and quantum many-body physics are becoming increasingly fluid, with shared mathematical structures —
symmetry-protected phases, anomalies, generalized symmetries, and emergent gauge fields — appearing across all three communities.
This Winter School provides a coherent and pedagogically structured introduction to QFT as a unified framework connecting physical phenomena across widely separated energy scales. The program is organized around six interlinked thematic modules, each delivered by leading experts and complemented by problem sheets and focused
research seminars:
1. Renormalization Group — scaling, fixed points, universality. 2. Effective Field Theory — low-energy actions, symmetry principles, collective modes. 3. Nonperturbative Methods & Critical Phenomena — confinement, instantons, mass gaps. 4. Conformal Field Theory — scale invariance, critical points in quantum and statistical systems. 5. Holography & AdS/CFT — gravitational duals of strongly coupled field theories. 6. Emergent Phenomena — collective excitations, quantum many-body dynamics, effective spacetime & cosmology.
The school is aimed at graduate students and early-career researchers within a related subfield.
Invited lecturers are:
Manfred Salmhofer (University of Heidelberg)
Ana Raclariu (King’s College)
Hugh Osborn (University of Cambridge)
Johanna Erdmenger (University of Würzburg)
Alexander Altland (University of Cologne) [*]
Seminar speakers:
Benjamin Knorr (University of Heidelberg)
Aaron Held (École Normale Supérieure)
Dario Benedetti (École Polytechnique, CNRS)
Lorenzo Di Pietro (University of Trieste)
Giovanna Morigi (Saarland University)
Andreas Stergiou (King's College) [*]
[*] To be confirmed.
A link for the registration is found in the “Registration Instructions” and below. (Registration fee [430 Euro] covers accommodation as well as breakfast and breaks)
Looking forward to seeing you in Cargese.
The organizers.