Symmetries in Graphs, Maps and Polytopes 2026


Université Libre de Bruxelles, July 13-17, 2026

Introduction

The Symmetries in Graphs, Maps, and Polytopes Workshop (SIGMAP) is a venue for researchers interested in symmetries of discrete objects and structures. It provides opportunities to meet, share results, discuss open problems, and start new collaborations. The first SIGMAP workshop was organized by Stephen Wilson in 1998 in Flagstaff, Arizona, and has been held every four years since then, respectively in Aveiro (2002 and 2006), Oaxaca (2010), Great Malvern (2014), Morelia (2018) and Fairbanks (2022). This year, it will happen in Brussels, the capital of Europe.

Plenary speakers

  • Leah Wrenn Berman (University of Fairbanks, Alaska, USA)
  • Peter Brooksbank (Bucknell University, USA)
  • Primož Potočnik (University of Ljubljana, Solvenia)
  • Martin Škoviera (Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia)
  • Mima Stanojskovski (Università di Trento, Italy)

    • Conference schedule

    The conference will start on Monday morning and end on the Friday at lunch time.
    Every registered participant should have received by now the book of abstracts with the detailed programme of the conference (including the schedule of talks).

    Where to stay

    Here is a list of hotels not far from the university. The campus is also accessible by Metro (Delta station).

    Hotel Barsey by Warwick, located avenue Louise. Access to the conference by tram 8 and bus 71.

    Adagio Hotel Delta, very close to the campus.

    We WILL NOT ask any travel agency to contact you to arrange your accommodation.

    How to reach the conference

    The SIGMAP 2026 Conference will happen at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Plaine, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
    All lectures will be given in the main lecture room of the Learning and Innovation Center.
    The campus Plaine is easily accessible by Metro (station Delta), tram 25 and 7, bus 71 and train (Etterbeek Station).

    Local organising committee

  • Rémi Delaby
  • Dimitri Leemans
  • Claudio Piedade
  • Eileen Robinson
  • Philippe Tranchida

    • Scientific committee

  • Maria Elisa Fernandes (University of Aveiro, Portugal)
  • Dimitri Leemans (Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium)
  • Jeroen Schillewaert (University of Auckland, New Zealand)
  • Klara Stokes (University of Umea, Sweden)

    • Recommended sights

  • Exploring the area around the " Etangs de Flagey " and the " Abbaye de la Cambre " where there are plenty of art déco houses, and also the Bois de la Cambre (we will have the conference dinner on the island that's in the Bois de la Cambre).
  • The MIM (instruments museum) is great. It is in an area where there's several other museums (Magritte Museum, museum of modern arts, etc.) and very close to the royal palace and not far from the Grand Place (a must go!).
  • In the city centre, stroll around the old galleries (galerie de la Reine, etc.) and try the chocolates from Marcolini, Neuhaus (my favourite), Galler.
  • The Atomium is very good but far from the city centre, accessible by metro.
  • The African museum is also nice (in Tervueren, on the border of Brussels).
  • The Cinquantenaire and its museums (Autoworld, Museum, Royal Arts and History museum, Royal museum of army and military history, royal institute of natural sciences, etc.). It is also an area where you could stay for a few nights.

    • Lunch places and also restaurants

    Most are around the Cimetière d'Ixelles.
  • My tannour
  • Parma I tavola (italian traiteur making very good sandwiches and salads)
  • L'orchidée blanche (vietnamese)
  • Menma (Ramens)
  • Poke house (Poke bowls)
  • Vorrei pizza
  • Pizzeria 1032 (has vegetarian options)
  • Oud restaurant (lebanese)
  • La frite dorée (fries)

    • Restaurants

  • In the centre, Nonna pizza and Nonna pasta, Toukoul (Ethiopian restaurant), Gaston for the waffles (best waffles in the world!) on Place Sainte Catherine. If you like nepalese/indian food, l'Everest is very nice.
  • Place Flagey has a lot of restaurants. Barracuda is very nice, Italian style and beautiful decor. Le Variétés is also very good. Chicken essentially, but very good chicken. They also have some Belgian specialties like croquettes with shrimps. Cucina has great pizzas and there are several good ramen places. Also Crab Club, if you like seafood, is very good. On Place Flagey there is one of the best " Fritkot " of Brussels (" French " fries): Frit Flagey. You buy a cone of fries with a sauce and it is heaven.
  • Le Lisbonne, Waversesteenweg 1050, 1160 Oudergem. Portuguese restaurant (20 - 30 euros per person)
  • Tatsumi (cuisine Asia). Asian restaurant (10 - 20 euros per person)
  • Pizzeria l'Ami, Boulevard du Triomphe 148, 1160 Auderghem. Pizzeria restaurant (10 - 20 euros per person)
  • Chao, Chau. de Boondael 328, 1050 Ixelles. Vietnamese restaurant (20 - 30 euros per person)
  • Vorrei - Pasta & Cocktail, Chau. de Boondael 332, 1050 Ixelles. Italian restaurant (30 - 40 euros per person)
  • Brasserie Volle Gas, Pl. Fernand Cocq 21, 1050 Ixelles. Brasserie restaurant (with Belgium typical food) (20 - 40 euros per person)

    • Bars (essentially for beers)

  • Moeder Lambic (city centre or Saint Gilles) where you should try their gueuzes. Sometimes they have Saint Bon Chien, ranked the best beer in the world by the NYT. It is Swiss (which breaks my heart) but yeah, it is very good.
  • Brussels Beer Project (there is one in the city centre and also one close to the Barsey Hotel).
  • Toone (which is a marionnettes Theater)
  • A la Becasse (on the side of the Bourse de Bruxelles).
  • Café Belga (on place Flagey).
  • Cohop is very near the conference centre: a small cooperative brewing their own beers.

    • Sponsors