Edge of Chaos: Exploring Dynamic Symmetry Theory and the Science of Complexity

The Royal Society, London – 15 May 2026

The universe appears to balance on a shifting edge between rigidity and randomness. This one‑day seminar, organised in partnership with OXQ: The Oxford Quarterly Journal of Symmetry & Asymmetry and The Schweitzer Institute, asks what happens at that threshold – and why so many of the most interesting phenomena in nature, mind and society seem to emerge at the “edge of chaos”.

The meeting brings together leading physicists, biologists, ecologists, philosophers and policy thinkers to examine new work in complexity science – in particular dynamic symmetry theory and the Dynamic Symmetry Index (DSI), alongside fresh insights on self‑organised criticality. Together they will explore whether there are common structural principles linking living systems, physical processes and human institutions, with direct implications for climate risk, health, and governance.

Confirmed speakers include:

• High‑Energy Physics & Symmetry Breaking – Prof Daniela Bortoletto OBE (Head of Particle Physics, University of Oxford)
• Climate Physics & Quantum – Prof Tim Palmer FRS (Royal Society Research Professor in Climate Physics, University of Oxford)
• Systems Biology & Evolution – Prof Denis Noble CBE FRS (Emeritus Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology, University of Oxford)
• Earth Systems & Tipping Points – Prof Tim Lenton OBE FRS (Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science; Founding Director, Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter)
• Extreme Plasmas & Laboratory Astrophysics – Prof Gianluca Gregori (Professor of Physics, University of Oxford)
• Philosophy & Symmetry – Prof Predrag Cicovacki (Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, College of the Holy Cross)
• Quantum Optics & Quantum Information – Prof Alexander Lvovsky (Professor of Physics, University of Oxford)
• Governance, Infrastructure & Ethics – Gisella Marinuzzi (Associate Director, The Schweitzer Institute)
• Constructor Theory & the Foundations of Physics – Dr Chiara Marletto (Research Fellow, Wolfson College, University of Oxford)
• Non‑Equilibrium Physics & Complex Media – Dr Igor V. Ovchinnikov (UCLA)

The seminar is hybrid and free to attend, with limited places on site and unlimited online access.

In‑person attendance
Venue: The Royal Society, 6–9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG.
Attendees will have full‑day access to all sessions, refreshments and lunch, a printed programme, and opportunities for informal conversation with speakers and other participants.

Online attendance
A live Zoom webinar will carry all talks and the closing discussion. Registered online participants will receive joining details by 8 May 2026, along with a digital programme, selected materials and access to the recording.

Registration
To register, please email the organiser, Nathan Jones, at nathanjones.pr@gmail.com, indicating your name, affiliation and whether you wish to attend in person or online. In‑person places are limited, so early registration is strongly advised.

Programme

08:30–09:00 – Registration

09:00–09:30 – Welcome & Opening Remarks

09:35–10:05 – Predrag Cicovacki

10:10–10:40 – Tim Palmer

10:45–11:00 – Coffee

11:00–11:30 – Daniela Bortoletto

11:35–12:05 – Denis Noble

12:10–12:40 – Gianluca Gregori

12:40–13:25 – Lunch

13:25–13:55 – Tim Lenton

14:00–14:30 – Gisella Marinuzzi

14:35–15:05 – Chiara Marletto (via Zoom)

15:05–15:20 – Break

15:20–15:50 – Alexander Lvovsky

15:55–16:25 – Igor V. Ovchinnikov (via Zoom)

16:30–17:00 – Closing Remarks

Programme times are approximate and subject to minor adjustment.