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Distant Galaxies in High Definition Workshop

January 27th to 30th, 2026

The University Club

The University of Western Australia, Perth

Rationale

With JWST now delivering rest-frame optical imaging and spectroscopy at unprecedented resolution, and ALMA continuing to push the boundaries of submillimetre mapping, we are now able to routinely image high-redshift galaxies at spatial resolutions which used to be only achievable for local galaxies. We are entering the era of high-definition galaxy evolution.
This workshop aims to bring together a cross-disciplinary group of experts, spanning high-resolution observers (JWST, ALMA), spectral energy distribution (SED) modellers, and theoretical simulators, to tackle our understanding of the resolved physical properties of galaxies at cosmic noon and beyond.
We will explore:
  • How to robustly interpret spatially resolved stellar populations, star formation, dust, and gas.
  • The limitations and assumptions of current SED modelling techniques at kpc or sub-kpc scales.
  • The challenges of connecting observations to theory, especially in the presence of resolution mismatches and selection effects.
  • The kinds of observational data and simulations that are critically needed to move the field forward.
A key goal is to identify gaps in existing datasets and models, and to work collaboratively toward filling them. This may include planning:
  • A new ALMA Large Programme targeting resolved dust and gas in high-redshift galaxies.
  • A suite of high-resolution, radiative transfer simulations tailored to test spatially-resolved SED fitting methods.
  • Coordinated strategies for acquiring and interpreting multi-wavelength data (e.g., JWST, ALMA, HST, MUSE) at matched resolution and depth.
Co-chairs:
Elisabete da Cunha (UWA)
Jacqueline Hodge (Leiden)

Venue

The workshop will be held at the University Club of the University of Western Australia, on UWA Campus, near the beautiful Matilda Bay.

Preliminary Programme

Each day will be centred around one specific topic, starting with a short talk setting the scene by 2-3 discussion leads, and then in-depth discussions with the whole group. Every participant is welcome to present their work when relevant to the discussion.

At the end of each day, we will aim to have a list of key needs and action items around each topic (perhaps maintained in a Google doc / Slack / somewhere else where it can be added to after the workshop).

Topics (leads tbc):

  • Day 1: What science questions can/should we address with high-resolution observations of galaxies?
  • Day 2: Spatially-resolved SED modelling: challenges and strategies
  • Day 3: What kind of simulations can we produce to test/validate SED modelling and compare with theories?
  • Day 4: Current observations and future needs (e.g., JWST, ALMA LP, SKA etc.)

Daily schedule:

9:00 — Arrival, coffee & tea are served

9:15 — Discussion start by two leads

10:40 — Morning tea

11:00 — Workshop resumes

12:30 — Lunch

14:00 — Workshop resumes

15:30 — Afternoon tea

15:50 — Summary of the day

17:00 — Workshop concludes

 

Social events

  • Tuesday, January 27th, 17:00-18:00: Sundowner event at the University Club (drinks and nibbles)
  • Workshop dinner Thursday, January 29th, venue TBD

Confirmed Participants

Hiddo Algera (Taiwan)

Andrew Battisti (UWA)

Leindert Boogaard (Leiden, Netherlands)

Adam Carnall (Edinburgh, UK)

Cheng-Lin Liao (Leiden, Netherlands)

TC Chen (Taiwan)

Rachel Cochrane (Manchester, UK)

Luca Cortese (UWA)

Elisabete da Cunha (UWA)

Tanio Diaz-Santos (FORTH, Greece)

Andreas Faisst (Caltech, USA)

Rodrigo Herrera-Camus (Concepcion, Chile)

Jacqueline Hodge (Leiden, Netherlands)

Hanae Inami (Hiroshima, Japan)

Melanie Kaasinen (ANU)

Claudia Lagos (UWA)

Juno Li (UWA)

Francesca Rizzo (Groningen, Netherlands)

Piyush Sharda (Leiden, Netherlands)

Justin Spilker (Texas A&M, USA)

Dylan Theron (Sydney)

Beth Westoby (Leiden, Netherlands)