2027 Rotman Graduate Student Conference: Philosophical Issues in Scientific Uncertainty

The Rotman Institute of Philosophy is excited to announce the second annual Rotman Graduate Student Conference, taking place on Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30, 2027. We are pleased to announce Philosopher, Dr. Wendy Parker (Virginia Tech) and Director of the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory, Dr. Gregory Kopp, as our keynote speakers.

This will be a hybrid conference with in-person (WIRB 1170) or virtual (Zoom) attendance options available. Attendance is free, but for planning purposes, advance registration is required and must be completed prior to May 14, 2027.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Philosophical Issues in Scientific Uncertainty”, and it will focus on the conceptual, epistemological, and ethical issues arising in the calculation, the communication and the role of uncertainty in the sciences. We encourage graduate students to submit original papers or poster ideas that address important problems or are motivated by questions concerning the sciences, broadly construed. 

Submissions are accepted through the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdofE8-t16p3FpsAXfxyIJ_XlxNfuk1tyc2ZMjNZiP_nj_0kA/viewform 

We invite submissions for both papers and posters addressing the conference theme. All submissions are due on January 29, 2027.  

Papers:  

• Maximum length of 5,000 words, including footnotes and appendices (but excluding references)

• If the paper includes tables, figures, or equations, an appropriate number of words should be subtracted from the limit

• Each paper should be accompanied by an abstract of no more than 300 words

• Papers must be prepared for anonymous review (i.e., the author’s name and identifying information should not appear in the file)

Posters:  

• Abstracts of no more than 300 words

• Poster submissions should also be prepared for anonymous review

Examples of topics may include but are not limited to: 

• The ontology of uncertainties
• Issues related to the communication of uncertainty in the sciences
• The connection between robustness and uncertainty in science
• The role of uncertainty in measurement
• Scientific discovery with deep uncertainties
• Mathematical significance of uncertainties
• Methods to deal with uncertainty in the sciences
• Issues related to the disciplinary standards for uncertainty

Authors of accepted papers will be allocated for a 45-minute session, consisting of approximately 25 minutes for presentation, 10 minutes for commentary, and followed by 10 minutes for discussion.  

Authors of accepted posters are expected to design and print their posters in advance and display them during the conference at designated poster sessions. 

Please send any questions to the RGSC2027 Committee: [email protected]