AGES-2026 brings together researchers working on active galactic nuclei and extragalactic astrophysics, with a strong emphasis on multi-wavelength and time-domain studies, multi-messenger astrophysics, and links to galaxy evolution and cosmology. The conference will bring together more than 100 leading world-class specialists and promising young scientists, providing an important platform for exchanging ideas, discussing new approaches and building collaborations. AGES-2026 will be held in person at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) in the historic Twelve Collegia building, which is located within walking distance from the city centre.
Main topics
- AGN monitoring from radio to very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays
- AGN physics, evolution and feedback
- Physics and evolution of galaxies
- Astrophysical sources of cosmic rays and neutrinos
- Cosmology and physics of the early Universe
The conference will be held at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) in the magnificent city of Saint Petersburg, Russia’s scientific and cultural capital. SPbU is the oldest university in Russia. It was founded by decree of Emperor Peter the Great. Today, SPbU is the only Russian university to have marked its 300th anniversary. Over the course of its almost three-century history, the university has been home to thousands of prominent scientists, public figures, government officials, politicians, writers, artists and musicians. Notable figures include Dmitri Mendeleev, Alexander Popov, Ivan Turgenev, Pyotr Stolypin, Ivan Pavlov, Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak, Vasily Dokuchaev, Alexander Blok, Mikhail Vrubel, Mikhail Glinka, Nicholas Roerich, Lev Landau and Leonid Kantorovich, to name a few. The opening of the conference and first day’s sessions will take place in the assembly hall of the historic SPbU campus on Vasilievsky Island, situated on the picturesque banks of the Neva River.
The conference is supported by the Pulkovo Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Central Astronomical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Conference participants are welcome to visit the observatory.
The weather in St. Petersburg can be capricious and changeable, but the end of April usually brings warmth and sunny days. Holding the conference in the heart of Saint Petersburg will enable participants to enjoy not only scholarly discussions, but also the opportunity to explore the city’s and Russia’s cultural heritage. Nearby museums and theatres include the Hermitage Museum, the Russian Museum, the Kunstkamera, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, the Mariinsky Theatre, and many more.
Invited speakers
- Luis C. Ho (Peking University, China)
- Minfeng Gu (Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, China)
- Evgeny Derishev (IAP RAS, Russia)
- Luka Popović (Astronomical Observatory Belgrade & Faculty of Mathematics, University of Belgrade, Serbia)
- Sergei Balashev (Ioffe Institute, Russia)
- Marat Gilfanov (SRI RAS, Russia)
- Alok Gupta (ARIES, India)
- Sergey Troitsky (INR RAS, Russia)
Important dates
15 February 2026: End of early reception fees
15 March 2026: Abstract submission deadline and end of online registration fee payment. We will notify the accepted talks soon after the deadline.
30 March 2026: Final version of the program
20 April 2026: Start of the conference
