From October 24 to 26, 2025, the World Laureates Forum will be held at the Lingang Center in Shanghai under the theme “Science in Future: Shanghai and the World.”
A Centennial Gathering of Scientific Excellence
This year’s forum brings together numerous distinguished scholars from around the world, including 25 laureates of international prizes such as the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Wolf Prize, and Fields Medal.
Notably, 12 internationally renowned scientists will be participating for the first time:
In mathematics and computer science,Professor Shing-Tung Yau’s geometric insights and Professor Jack Dongarra’s pioneering work in high-performance computing are reshaping the theoretical and technical foundations of scientific research.
In life sciences, Professor Jeffrey M. Friedman’s research on metabolic mechanisms and Sir Shankar Balasubramanian’s breakthroughs in gene sequencing have deepened our understanding of life’s essence.
In materials and energy sciences， Professor Matthew J. Rosseinsky’s innovative materials design and Professor Clifford P.Brangwynne’s research on phase separation have opened new paths toward sustainable development.
Meanwhile, several “old friends” of the forum will continue to play key roles, symbolizing the forum’s evolution from inception to maturity and underscoring its unique value as a platform for scientific exchange in China.
A Multi-Layered Design for Scientific Dialogue
The forum will feature a “1 main forum + 6 sub-forums + over 10 satellite events” structure, creating a dynamic, multi-level international academic festival.
Youth Scientists Conference (Hosted by Fudan University)
Led by Nobel Laureate Michael Levitt and Academician Jin Li, President of Fudan University, this conference uses flash talks and cross-generational dialogues to empower emerging scientists. Zhaohua Geng, Deputy Director of Fudan’s Institute for Advanced Studies, remarked,“We aim to build a support system where young scientists dare to pursue ‘from 0 to 1’ original innovation.”
Life Sciences Conference (Hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
Jointly chaired by Nobel Laureate Karl Barry Sharpless and Academicians Ding Kuiling, Fan Xianqun, and E Weinan, the conference will host 2025 Life Science or Medicine Prize winners Scott D. Emr and Wesley Sundquist, who will share their frontier research, and will also unveil the highly anticipated “AI Molecular Discovery Platform.”Ye Gao Qu, Director of the Frontier Innovation Institute, noted, “AI empowerment is revolutionizing the paradigm of drug discovery.”
Intelligent Science Conference (Hosted by Tongji University)
Under the guidance of Michael Irwin Jordan，recipient of Top Science Award in Intelligent Science, together with Turing Award winners John E. Hopcroft and Jack J. Dongarra, this conference explores the deep integration of intelligent systems and engineering sciences. Huaxiansheng, Executive Dean of Tongji’s Institute of Engineering Intelligence, commented, “We are developing an intelligent engineering operating system to scale AI technology deployment.”
Material Science Conference (Hosted by East China Normal University)
Chaired by Jürgen Caro and Academician He Mingyuan, this forum gathers 10 leading scientists and 7 industry experts to tackle challenges in energy transition and sustainable development.Yuanyuan Wang, Party Secretary of ECNU’s College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, said, “Material science is becoming a key driver of social transformation.”
Möbius Night (Jointly by Lingang Innovation Foundation & Fudan University)
This special session, centered on “boundaryless communication,” will recreate the spirit of the historical “café conversations” that changed the course of science, encouraging cross-disciplinary exchanges in a relaxed setting.
Lingang Brain Disease Conference (Hosted by Lingang Laboratory)
Led by Nobel Laureate Randy Schekman, an international team will focus on strategies for combating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS.
Initiator Xiaojian Li emphasized, “Only by clarifying the pathological mechanisms can we discover real solutions.”
Over ten satellite events, such as Science Carnivals, Scientific Relays, and Innovation Camps, will extend the reach of science across society, truly realizing the goal of “science without boundaries.”
Building a Systemic Innovation Ecosystem
Lu Yingqing, Chair of the Shanghai Lingang Science & Innovation Development Foundation, outlined four distinctive highlights of this year’s forum:
World-Class Lineup
A global dialogue platform for scientific elites, featuring 12 first-time participants from diverse disciplines, bringing new perspectives and ideas to academic exchange.In mathematics and computer science, Professor Shing-Tung Yau and Professor Jack J. Dongarra are providing the theoretical foundations and advanced computational tools that drive interdisciplinary development.
In life sciences, Professor Jeffrey M. Friedman and Sir Shankar Balasubramanian will share profound insights into life mechanisms and gene analysis.
In materials and energy sciences, Professor Matthew J. Rosseinsky and Professor Clifford P. Brangwynne are conducting pioneering explorations that open new pathways to address global challenges in sustainable development.
In addition, many scientists who have participated in previous forums will continue to play important roles, jointly building a high-level, cross-disciplinary platform for international academic dialogue.
University–City Collaboration
An integrated “Shanghai Model” linking four top universities: Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, East China Normal University, together with Lingang Laboratory, forming a complete innovation chain from basic research to application and commercialization.
Public Science Engagement
Through activities such as the Science Carnival and Innovation Camp, cutting-edge science reaches the public, inspiring curiosity and cultivating future innovators.
Local Integration
Leveraging the Lingang Science & Innovation City strategic position, the forum promotes the fusion of top-tier scientific intelligence with local industrial resources, fostering the growth of scientific innovation on Shanghai’s southeastern coast.
Shanghai and the World in Dialogue
Hosting the World Laureates Forum in Lingang demonstrates Shanghai’s determination to build itself into a global center for scientific and technological innovation.
Lingang’s open policies provide strong institutional support for international exchange, including visa and residence facilitation for foreign visitors, relaxed employment restrictions for high-end professionals, and permanent residence opportunities for foreign talents in modern service industries.
Standing at the Lingang Center, one can see the Donghai Bridge stretching like a rainbow over the waves, linking to the Yangshan Deep-Water Port. This land has always lived with the sea, and now, it is becoming a scientific harbor connecting China and the world.
