Overview
This half-day workshop provides a dedicated space to discuss connections between theoretical computer science and computational creativity, highlighting how formal methods can deepen our understanding of creativity and help strengthen the role of theory within the ICCC community.
The workshop is motivated by longstanding links between computational creativity and fields such as computability theory, algorithmic information theory, formal learning theory, complex networks, and related theoretical areas.
Important dates
- Abstract deadline: 17 May 2026 31 May 2026
- Acceptance notifications: 31 May 2026 8 June 2026
- Workshop Day: 29 June 2026
Call for Abstracts
We invite abstracts from either unpublished work, published work or work in progress on topics at the intersection of theoretical computer science and computational creativity. We also welcome constructive contributions that critically examine prior formal work, identify logical inconsistencies in published formal approaches in CC, propose formalization of creativity related questions or discuss methodological and evaluative criteria for work on theoretical formal methods.
Abstracts should be 1 page in length. The selected abstracts will be asked to prepare a 10-15 minutes long presentation and answer to 5 minutes of questions from the audience during the workshop. Remote presentation is possible.
Please submit your abstract by 17 May 2026 31 May 2026 via email to
iccc26-theorycs-cc-workshop
Topics of interest
- Computability theory and creativity
- Algorithmic information theory and creativity
- Formal learning theory and creative systems
- Complex networks and creativity
- Formal models of creativity and creative processes
- Theoretical and information-theoretic approaches to evaluation
- Foundational formalized questions about value, novelty, and quality in computational creativity
- Conjectures, theorems, and proofs on topics adjacent to creativity
- Connections between theoretical methods and creative AI systems
- Constructive critical review of previous formal work
- Identified logical inconsistencies in published formal approaches in CC
- Methodologies and evaluation criteria for work on theoretical formal methods
Schedule
The workshop is planned as a half-day event with the following tentative structure:
- beginning with an introductory scoping talk;
- followed by a series of presentations (around 10-15min) with time for questions (5min);
- a coffee-break discussion period; and
- lastly, a closing debate on the role, methods, and evaluation of theoretical work in computational creativity.
Both in-person and remote participation and attendance is welcome. Selected remote speakers will be joining via Teams. Free remote attendance will be discussed to be made available via stream on Youtube ICCC channel. Regarding time zones, please note that the workshop will take place during the morning or afternoon of 29th June 2026 in Coimbra, Portugal (WEST / UTC+1).
Organisers
- Luís Espírito Santo — University of Coimbra (UC) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
- Nadia M. Ady — Aalto University
- Max Peeperkorn — School of Computing, University of Kent