MARS Annual Symposium

Aerial view of Lancaster University campus

MARS Annual Symposium

The MARS symposium, held annually in September at Lancaster University, provides opportunity for the applied mathematics and fundamental machine learning communities to come together and share the latest developments in their research.

Each year, the symposium will have a different thematic focus covering the broad range of MARS research areas. The programme will include keynote speakers, invited talks, research spotlights, poster sessions and time for networking.

Open to academics and researchers from all career stages, the symposium reflects the diverse national and international research field at the interface of real-world mathematics and AI.

MARS Annual Symposium 2026

Computational Mathematics and Probabilistic Machine Learning

The inaugural MARS Annual Symposium will take place from midday on Wednesday 9 September to midday on Friday 11 September 2026 at Lancaster University.

The symposium will bring together researchers working at the interface of mathematics, statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

The event will provide a forum for sharing recent advances, discussing open challenges, and building connections across communities developing the mathematical foundations of reliable, effective, and real-world AI.

Scope

The focus of this year’s symposium is computational mathematics and probabilistic machine learning, including topics from the following themes:

  • Probabilistic Generative Modelling
  • Bayesian Learning and Optimisation
  • Sampling Algorithms and Monte Carlo Methods
  • Optimisation and Training Dynamics for Machine Learning

The programme will include invited talks, contributed presentations, and opportunities for discussion and networking. There will be a conference dinner on the evening of Thursday 10 September.

We particularly welcome participation from researchers whose work connects mathematical methodology with modern machine learning and real-world applications.

Confirmed Speakers

  • Dr Mauricio A Álvarez (University of Manchester)
  • Prof Christophe Andrieu (University of Bristol)
  • Prof Theo Damoulas (University of Warwick)
  • Dr Paris Giampouras (University of Warwick)
  • Dr Avetik Karagulyan (École Polytechnique, France)
  • Prof Benedict Leimkuhler (University of Edinburgh)
  • Dr Nikolay Malkin (University of Edinburgh)
  • Dr Clarice Poon (University of Warwick)
  • Prof Gareth Roberts (University of Warwick)
  • Dr Tim Sullivan (University of Warwick)

Further details about the programme will be announced soon.

Call for posters and spotlight talks

If you would like to present a poster or give a spotlight talk at the symposium, please complete the form here by 17:00 (BST) on Friday 31 July.

We particularly welcome submissions from women who are currently underrepresented in the mathematical sciences.

If your submission is successful, we will waive your registration fee. In addition, we will award a limited number of bursaries in the form of free accommodation in one of the University's on-campus guest rooms for the nights of 9 and 10 September (if required).

Please do not register for the conference via the link below until you have been informed of the outcome of your submission as this may affect the registration options that you choose.

We will guarantee a place for all those who submit and wish to attend the conference.

Registration now open!

Registration for the symposium costs £50. This covers the cost of administration, lunch and refreshments.

Please register here where you will also be able to book the conference dinner and guest accommodation on campus.

Registration closes at 23:59 (BST) on 14 August 2026

Location

The symposium will take place on the Lancaster University campus. For details about how to find us, click here.

Accommodation

In addition to Lancaster University guest room accommodation, which can be booked via the symposium registration link, there are also other accommodation options within easy commuting distance of campus: