A significant birthday for one of Perimeter Institute’s founding members, Lee Smolin, was the perfect opportunity for a conference to celebrate both the researcher and the institute.
In June 2025, Perimeter hosted Lee’s Fest: Quantum Gravity and the Nature of Time, honouring Perimeter Institute’s 25th anniversary and Smolin’s 70th birthday.
Smolin, who attended the week-long conference, is a theoretical physicist whose work fearlessly crosses interdisciplinary boundaries. Best known for his work on quantum gravity, especially as co-inventor of an approach known as loop quantum gravity, his research has also contributed to cosmology and quantum mechanics.
Marcela Carena, Perimeter’s Executive Director, welcomed attendees to the conference. “Lee embodies the DNA of Perimeter through his passion and his skill in fostering bold and interdisciplinary scientific discourse,” she said. “Lee challenges the thinking of the physics community in radical and innovative ways. He encourages us to be unafraid of taking unconventional paths.”
Research faculty Laurent Freidel said Perimeter "would not be what it is without Lee’s special vision and influence.”
Perimeter was founded on boldness, openness, risk-taking, and intellectual generosity, added Freidel. It was built on the fusion of orthodox and unorthodox approaches; these characteristics were “constantly infused and reinforced by Lee’s input.”
Freidel went on to describe Smolin as both a pioneer and a connector. This theme was echoed throughout the conference, with Smolin’s wide research interests – from physics to philosophy to biology, reflected in the conference speakers and workshops.
“He’s had a huge influence on many fields,” says Maïté Dupuis, Perimeter’s Director of Training, Educational Outreach and Scientific Programs. This extends beyond the sciences; the conference even featured an art session with physicist and artist Kaća Bradonjić.
The core of the conference was centred around Smolin’s research into the nature of time. Smolin advocates for time being a fundamental component of the universe – as opposed to emerging from other fundamental aspects.
This is a topic of debate, and it provided ample material for researchers to reflect on over the week. But whether people were for or against time being fundamental, the presentations and discussions throughout the week were anchored by a shared respect for Smolin’s contributions to theoretical physics.
“Something that was very specific to this meeting that may not be standard to a conference, is that everyone added some personal notes about Lee,” says Dupuis.
Smolin’s profound effects on both the physics research community and friends were best summed up by Carlo Rovelli, Distinguished Visiting Research Chair at Perimeter.
“For me, Lee has been my closest, dearest, and best friend in physics, companion of adventures, of thinking,” Rovelli told the audience. Smolin’s integrity, generosity, and complete honesty, he said, “have made my life beautiful.”
The talks from the conference are all on the Perimeter Institute Recorded Seminar Archive (PIRSA) and free for anyone to listen to.
About PI
Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.
