Key Dates
The conference will be held Monday, December 7 through Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Abstract submissions close Monday, September 7, 2026
Registration and abstract submission
Please complete the Google Form accessible through the button below to register for the conference. We ask for your name, email address, career stage, pronouns, and whether you plan to attend in person or remotely. You will have an opportunity to enter any additional comments or questions on the last page of the form.
If you would like to present your work, you will have the opportunity to submit an abstract on the second page of the form. Abstract submission is optional but encouraged for those wishing to contribute a talk or poster. Abstracts will undergo blind peer review, and authors will be asked to avoid identifying information in their submissions whenever possible. The conference will be held in full hybrid mode with in-person and virtual talks accepted. Authors whose abstracts are not selected for a speaking slot will automatically be invited to present their work as a poster.
We look forward to your participation in SALF 2026!
Slack and Zoom
Join us on Slack! The SALF conference series has its own workspace: salfconf.slack.com. Please reach out to Judd Bowman (judd.bowman@asu.edu) if you would like an invitation to join the workspace.
Zoom connection information will be posted shortly before the start of the conference later this year.
Conference Venue
Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest and most innovative public research universities in the United States, located in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. Known for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, ASU offers a wide range of programs across science, engineering, humanities, and the arts. The Tempe campus—the university’s original and largest campus—combines modern research facilities with vibrant student life, shaded walkways, and striking desert landscape. ASU consistently ranks highly for innovation and is recognized for its commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and cutting-edge research.
The main conference sessions will be held in the Pima Auditorium (Room 230) on the second floor of the Memorial Union at the center of ASU’s Tempe campus. The Memorial Union has quick dining options, outdoor spaces, and easy pedestrian access from all directions (see the interactive campus map). You can explore the Tempe campus ahead of time through an online virtual tour of ASU.
To support collaboration and informal discussion, an additional breakout space in the Cochise Room (Room 228) is conveniently located directly across from the main auditorium. This room will remain available to attendees throughout the conference for small group meetings, impromptu discussions, or quiet work.
A detailed map of the Memorial Union conference center is available to help you navigate.
Remote Participation
SALF 2026 will support full remote participation to ensure broad accessibility for attendees around the world. All in-person talks will be live streamed, allowing remote participants to view presentations and participate in discussions in real time. Presenters who are unable to travel to Arizona State University will have the option to deliver their talks remotely via Zoom, with their presentations fully integrated into the conference program alongside in-person contributions.
While we are committed to providing a high-quality virtual experience, we strongly encourage participants to attend in person whenever possible. The conference is designed to foster collaboration, networking, and informal scientific discussions, and many of the most valuable interactions occur outside of scheduled sessions. Nevertheless, we recognize that travel is not always feasible and are pleased to offer a fully remote option to help ensure that all members of the low-frequency science community can participate.
Travel and Accommodations
Airport
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (airport code: PHX) is located about 15-minutes (by car) from the ASU campus and nearby lodging.
Local Transportation
Many hotels in Tempe offer a free shuttle to/from the airport — ask for details when you make hotel reservations. Taxi cab fare from the airport to downtown Tempe is typically about $30. The Phoenix Metro Light Rail service also connects the airport to downtown Tempe and the ASU campus, as well as downtown Phoenix and other destinations. Once in Tempe, most hotels and restaurants will be within walking distance of the conference center. The free Orbit Shuttle bus connects many local destinations within Tempe, including the ASU campus and Mill Avenue restaurant district. Tempe is always buzzing with Uber rideshare and autonomous Waymo robotaxi vehicles.
Lodging
There are many hotel options near the ASU campus in Tempe. Here are a few popular options:
The Graduate by Hilton Tempe: 7 minute walk to venue.
Hyatt Place (Tempe / Phoenix / University): 15 minute walk to venue. Adjacent to the Novus Place restaurant district.
Omni Tempe Hotel: 13 minute walk to venue. Adjacent to the Mill Avenue restaurant district.
Restaurants
The Mill Avenue restaurant district, just a short walk from the ASU campus and Memorial Union, offers a vibrant dining scene. This lively corridor features a wide range of options—from casual student favorites and quick bites to upscale dining, coffee shops, and late-night eateries. Popular spots include Caffe Boa (Mediterranean-inspired Italian cuisine) and Postino Annex (known for bruschetta boards). Additional favorites include Foche Cafe and Bistro (great fried pickled veggies), Cornish Pasty Co., Prince St. Pizza, and Proof Bread. Plus many more fast casual options between Mill Avenue and College Avenue.
Mill Avenue is also home to a dynamic nightlife and bar scene. Nearby venues such as Pedal Haus Brewery, The Yard (Culinary Dropout), and Snakes and Lattes (board games) provide relaxed social spaces, while a variety of cocktail lounges, rooftops bars (on hotels), and pubs make the area a central gathering point throughout the evening.
The Novus Place development in ASU’s Innovation Corridor is also a short walk and offers a newer dining district with a curated mix of modern restaurants and outdoor spaces. Designed as a central gathering hub, Novus Place features a diverse lineup including North Italia, Flower Child, Blanco Cocina + Cantina, and Blue Sushi Sake Grill, alongside casual options like The Melt, Eureka!, and Over Easy.
As in any urban environment, you can get your coffee fix from Starbucks all over Tempe. For a local coffee experience, check out Cartel Coffee.
Entertainment and Sightseeing
Tempe and surrounding regions in the Phoenix metropolitan area feature a variety of entertainment, sightseeing, and outdoor activities that are easily accessibly by walking, light rail and commuter services, or rental car. A good starting reference for options is provided by the ASU Wellness office.
Desert Botanical Garden: About 15 minutes from campus (by car or bus), the garden and offers casual walking trails and beautiful views of the local desert environment. Stay for lunch or dinner and enjoy Gertrude’s restaurant at the garden. If you’re in town over the weekend, stroll the candle-lit walkways in the evening during the seasonal Las Noches de las Luminarias.
Phoenix Zoo: Located next to the Desert Botanical Gardens about 15 minutes (by taxi) from campus. Enjoy the seasonal Zoo Lights display after dark.
The Musical Instrument Museum is a popular destination for visitors to the Phoenix area. It is about 30 minutes from Tempe by car – but people love it!
Mountain Biking: There are great trails around the Phoenix area.
Hiking and walking: You don’t have to leave the metro to finding fantastic hiking trails around Phoenix. Check out the trails on Camelback Mountain (Phoenix), South Mountain (west of Tempe), the McDowell Mountains (access in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills), or Papago Park (just north of Tempe). Or take a short walk to the top of “A” Mountain in Hayden Butte Preserve for a great local view.
Weather
The average highs for Tempe in mid-December are 67°F (19°C), and typical lows are 45°F (7°C). Here is the current weather forecast for today.
Science Organizing Committee (SOC)
Marin Anderson (JPL)
Libby Berkhout (McGill)
Judd Bowman (ASU)
Ruby Byrne (Caltech)
Ivey Davis (ASTRON)
Joshua Hibbard (Berkeley)
Natasha Hurley-Walker (Curtin)
Raul Monsalve (UNAB)
Jonathan Pober (Brown)
Mawson Sammons (AMU)
Shintaro Yoshiura (Nagoya)
Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
Judd Bowman (judd.bowman@asu.edu)
Joe Dubois
Danny Jacobs
Marc-O Lalonde
Shabbir Shaikh
Contact Us
Questions or comments? Please contact: Judd Bowman (judd.bowman@asu.edu)
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