This agenda will include an examination of initiatives and activities that encourage the creation of artistic and cultural works with connection to QST, ways to strengthen the network of individuals leading and working in this space, and ways to inspire new individuals to make a start in this space.

Quantum Crossroads will constitute a mid-year focal point for a network of arts, culture & QST events throughout IYQ 2025. Experiences from earlier events will feed into the discussions at Quantum Crossroads and inform a draft vision document to be created during the event. This draft will then be reexamined during regional events and round-table discussions around the globe during the second half of the year.

The timing of the Quantum Crossroads colloquium ties into the New Zealand Institute of Physics Conference (1-3 July), the International Congress on the History of Science and Technology (29 June - 5 July), and the New Zealand International Science Festival (29 June - 6 July), enabling delegates to participate in either of these events if they so choose.

Public Panel

Discussions at the intersection of arts, culture, and quantum science and technology

Quantum science and technology are advancing quickly, bringing social and technical impacts that require a radical reimagining of how we understand the world.

Artists are uniquely and powerfully positioned to communicate the complexities of quantum phenomena and help society navigate this shift. As we look to pathfind through the changes quantum technologies will bring about, the integration of diverse histories and knowledge systems will be critical to building a sustainable quantum future.

Come talk with our panel of both local and international physicists and artists who sit at this intersection, as they share their experiences and consider future challenges towards building a vision that successfully integrates art, culture, and quantum science and technology to the benefit of us all.

This public event is part of a larger gathering of experts being hosted at Tūhura that UNESCO's International Year of Quantum Science and Technology has recognised and supported as having global reach and impact. The document initiated by this gathering will be presented to UNESCO at the closing ceremonies for the year, and will go on to inform and influence international policy on this critical theme.

5.30pm – 7pm, Tuesday 8 July
Tūhura Otago Museum, Barclay Theatre
Free to attend, [Zoom link ID: 289 626 8306 Passcode: QXroads]

Full Schedule

Immediate outcomes

Longer term outcomes

Expected impact

Dunedin has an international airport and can be reached directly from Australia or via New Zealand's major international transportation hubs Auckland and Christchurch. For those travelling from the Northern Hemisphere, we recommend you consider a stopover in Auckland or Christchurch to explore New Zealand's stunning landscapes and culture.

We are working with the New Zealand International Science Festival to provide a range of activities for participants and their families. The festival will run from 29 June to 6 July 2025 and will include a range of events, including talks, workshops, and performances. The International Congress on the History of Science and Technology will also be taking place in Dunedin from 29 June to 5 July 2025. This congress will bring together historians, philosophers, and sociologists of science to discuss the history of science and technology in a global context.

The New Zealand Institute of Physics Conference will run from 1-3 July 2025 in Auckland and may also be of interest to participants.

Additionally, we encourage participants to explore the local culture and attractions during their stay.