History of the ILQGS

Jorge Pullin Created One of the First Truly Global Seminar Series in Theoretical Physics

Banner representing the original institutions participating in the ILQGS.

Connecting a Global Community

Prof. Jorge Pullin—Hearne Chair of Theoretical Physics at Louisiana State University.

Researchers in loop quantum gravity are part of a global community. The major research groups are distributed across different continents, which makes regular in-person exchange difficult. Long before online conferencing became common, Prof. Jorge Pullin at Louisiana State University designed a practical solution to this problem.

One of the original conference phones used for running the ILQGS.

In 2006, he launched the International Loop Quantum Gravity Seminar to bring the community together. At the time, available technologies imposed severe limitations: Zoom did not exist and Skype supported only a handful of participants. More advanced communication systems existed, but they were costly. Rather than relying on expensive infrastructure, Jorge Pullin designed a practical solution using readily available technology: The seminar had a hybrid format, combining a bridge telephone call for audio with a dedicated website for slides. The slides were published in advance and distributed via a newsletter maintained by Pullin. There was no video link. During each talk, speakers would simply indicate when participants should advance to the next slide. At the other end of the bridge, participants could follow the presentation and ask live questions. This telephonic–online format allowed research groups distributed across continents to participate simultaneously in what became one of the first truly global seminar series in theoretical physics.

Jorge Pullin’s innovative model proved remarkably successful. What began as an experimental initiative rapidly evolved into the main forum where new developments in loop quantum gravity were presented and discussed. The seminar became a regular meeting place for loop quantum gravity researchers all over the world, fostering the sense of an international community in the field.

Since 2006, the series has uninterruptedly hosted more than 300 seminars. These days, keeping the original spirit alive, participants meet every other week over Zoom and slides are published online one day in advance. For 20 years, Jorge Pullin has efficiently managed the seminar series almost single-handedly. Today, its hosting has been delegated to the International Society on Loop Quantum Gravity (ISLQG), while an independent Scientific Advisory Board takes care of its organization.

Commemorative plaque presented to Prof. Pullin during the 310th instalment of the ILQGS.

During the 310th instalment of the International Loop Quantum Gravity Seminar in April 2026, the International Society on Loop Quantum Gravity held a special event to honour Jorge Pullin for his “visionary and pioneering” creation of the seminar series, which “forged international bonds to keep the loop quantum gravity community united.”

The International Loop Quantum Gravity Seminar will continue Jorge Pullin’s vision from 2006. The seminar will provide a regular, open and global forum where researchers can share new ideas and developments in quantum gravity.