Spectroscopy and Dynamics Group Meeting (SDGM)

About the meeting

The Spectroscopy and Dynamics Group Meeting is the annual conference of the RSC Spectroscopy and Dynamics Group. It brings together the UK spectroscopy and dynamics community for three days of talks, posters and discussion.

SDGM2027 is a special edition. It marks the 25th anniversary of the meeting. To celebrate, the 2027 meeting will be held at the Central Laser Facility, the UK's national laser facility, at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on the Harwell Campus.

The meeting has early career researchers at its heart. PhD students and postdocs make up the majority of speakers, and the programme is built to give them a supportive setting in which to present their work through short talks and posters. A small number of invited speakers join them to share cutting-edge research through tutorial lectures and research seminars.

Confirmed invited speakers

• Professor Markus Gühr (DESY)
• Professor Ruth Signorell (ETH Zürich)
• Professor Petr Slavíček (University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague)
• Dr Alice Green (University of Edinburgh)

What to expect

Alongside the scientific programme there is a full social programme, including a conference dinner and a quiz night, designed to help early career researchers build connections across the community. Prizes are awarded for the best oral and poster presentations.

As part of the anniversary edition, delegates will also have the opportunity to learn about the work of the Central Laser Facility and the wider national facility at Harwell.

Who should attend

The meeting is open to all working in spectroscopy and dynamics, from PhD students and postdocs through to established researchers. It is a particularly valuable meeting for early career researchers, and for many it is their first opportunity to present at a conference.

Accommodation

Accommodation is booked and paid for separately. Rooms are available at a rate of £66 per night, including breakfast. Booking details will be circulated by the local organiser, Dr James Thompson.

Important deadlines

• Abstract submission deadline: 31 October 2026
• Registration deadline: 20 November 2026

Places are limited to 110 delegates, so early registration is advised.