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JTF SoCal Quantum Foundations Hub

Chapman University Launches Southern California Quantum Foundations Hub with $2.43M Templeton Grant

 

Chapman University has been awarded a $2.43 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation to establish the Southern California Quantum Foundations Hub, an interdisciplinary research initiative at the intersection of physics and philosophy.

The Hub brings together a distinguished team of theoretical physicists, experimental physicists, and philosophers to explore some of the deepest unanswered questions in quantum theory. The initiative reflects the Templeton Foundation’s strategic focus on advancing the field of quantum foundations.

 

Leading the project at Chapman are faculty members Andrew Jordan (Physics), Matt Leifer (Physics), Emily Adlam (Philosophy & Physics), and Kelvin McQueen (Philosophy). Their research will address three central themes:

  1. The Nature of the Quantum State

  2. Past and Future Boundary Conditions

  3. Agency in Quantum Observers

Each theme will integrate theoretical, experimental, and philosophical perspectives, aiming to uncover new insights into the fundamental nature of reality.

The grant also supports external collaborators, including Aephraim Steinberg (University of Toronto, Physics) and Eddy Chen (UC San Diego, Philosophy), whose experimental and philosophical contributions will play a vital role in the Hub's broader mission.

 

Events 

 

 

September 17 , 2025- IQS Templeton Research Focused Seminar 

 "What do black holes teach us about Wigner's Friend?" by Emily Adlam, Chapman University

 

Abstract: Recently, Hausman and Renner have pointed out that several famous paradoxes relating to black holes have a similar character to various Extended Wigner's Friend paradoxes. Given these connections, studying the black hole paradoxes may offer an interesting way to get some new insight into the Wigner's Friend paradoxes. In this talk I will introduce the four paradoxes described by Hausman and Renner, then note some important similarities and differences between them and make some suggestions about what these connections might tell us about the original Wigner's Friend paradoxes. In particular, I argue that the black hole comparison may push us toward intrinsic relationality and toward some kind of retrocausal or atemporal solution.

 

Templeton Workshop - March 24 & 25 , 2025



AGENDA FOR MARCH 24th & 25th
LOCATION: Killefer Conference Room A

Monday, March 24th
9:00AM    Registration and light breakfast

9:30AM    Eddy Keming Chen

10:30AM   Discussion/Brainstorming

11:30AM   Jeff Barrett

12:30PM   Lunch at Killefer

2:30PM    Tryphon Georgiou

3:30PM   Discussion/Brainstorming

6:00PM    Dinner - Citrus City Grill (122 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866)


Tuesday, March 25th
9:00AM    Registration and light breakfast

9:30AM    Yile Ying

10:30AM   Discussion/Brainstorming

11:30AM   Ian Durham

12:30PM   Lunch at Killefer

2:30PM    David Arvidsson-Shukur

3:30PM   Discussion/Brainstorming