Since the pioneering work of Bowen at the Geophysical Laboratory, experimental petrology has been recognized as an essential complement to geological, geophysical, and space observations, providing a critical foundation for dynamic and chemical models of rock genesis on Earth and other planets. Despite its pivotal role in advancing experimental planetary science, the U.S. lacks a dedicated conference to unify this vital community and propel the field forward.

We aim to bring together experimental petrologists at a workshop in the Spring of 2026, named “ExPet26”, to help strengthen our community, to highlight recent scientific and technological advances, to discuss mechanisms for sharing of information, ideas, technology, methodologies and equipment, and to develop and safeguard our community for the future.

The inaugural meeting, which we hope will be the first of many to come on a biennial basis, will be held on the campus of the Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, from April 29 to May 1, 2026. The meeting will have a maximum of 80 in-person attendees but will also be broadcast in a hybrid format.

There are several key tenets that frame the need for such a workshop. We aim for ExPet26 to: (1) Engage the community and foster collaborations, by providing a platform for experimental petrologists to present and discuss their research, focusing on cutting-edge scientific advances and technological developments; (2) Improve scientific standards by sharing our common experimental designs, methodologies, calibrations, and techniques; (3) Facilitate access to experimental petrology labs in the country, especially for those lacking support at their home institutions, for a more efficient use of resources; (4) Define the future of the community in the U.S. by identifying the needs for development in experimental petrology, facilitating connections, and building interdisciplinarity.