Organisers: Rami Jreige, Richard Pettigrew, Karim Thebault
The boundary between mathematics and physics has often been a source of tension. This tension frequently revolves around a central notion: mathematical rigour.
Although the concept has been discussed in history, philosophy, and mathematics itself, there has been relatively little discussion of its relationship to physics. Physics is often considered unrigorous; however, given that there is no single agreed-upon notion of rigour even within mathematics, it becomes unclear why physics is regarded as unrigorous, and whether it should be.
This interdisciplinary workshop will bring together researchers from various disciplines to discuss both descriptive and normative notions of rigour in physics, as well as the influence of this topic on the concept of rigour in mathematics. The central, non-exhaustive questions of the workshop will include the following:
– Is there a possibly implicit notion of rigour in physics?
– Should there be rigour in physics? If so, to what extent?
– Is there a difference in rigour between theoretical physics and mathematical physics?
– Can degrees of rigour be accepted when comparing and contrasting mathematical physics with mathematical practice?
– Is there a possibly implicit notion of rigour in physics?
– Should there be rigour in physics? If so, to what extent?
– Can degrees of rigour be accepted when comparing and contrasting mathematical physics with mathematical practice?
Confirmed Speakers:
– James Fraser (IHPST, Sorbonne-Pantheon)
– Kasia Rejzner (University of York)
– Tony Short (University of Bristol)
– Sylvia Wenmackers (KU Leuven)
In addition to our invited speakers, there will be a small number of contributed talks. Please send anonymised abstracts (max 500 words) for a 1 hour (45 min + 15 Q&A) presentation by email attachment to rami.jreige@bristol.ac.uk with subject line “Mathematical Rigour and Physics Workshop Submission” by March 15th, 2026.
15 – 17 June 2026, G2 Cotham House, University of Bristol, 29 Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6JL
Program Schedule TBA
Contact: rami.jreige@bristol.ac.uk
Philosophy of Physics Bristol 