The goal of QSD14 was to bring together different communities of theorists and experimentalists working on quantum magnets, transport in magnetic materials and models, and on the non-equilibrium dynamics of correlated systems. This selection of topics for the workshop and seminar was aimed at attracting key researchers in fields that are closely related regarding their techniques, theoretical approaches, and the challenges they face, but are conventionally confined to more specialized conferences, which limits potentially useful cross-fertilization of ideas.

The main unifying theme was the physics of unconventional excitations and their impact on the transport and non-equilibrium properties of strongly-correlated and spin systems. These themes are paradigmatic to low-dimensional and frustrated quantum magnets and have recently become hot topics in the traditionally more classical field of magnonics as well as in skyrmion matter and topological systems in general. The latter research areas share a lot of common ideas and employ similar analytical and numerical methods, as well as experimental approaches.

From a broader perspective, the study of collective and dynamical properties of spin systems is not only a timely area of basic research in solid state physics, but new insights from this field may induce progress in future applied sciences of a wide variety. These include spintronics, quantum computing and information, thermal management for device design, as well as data storage. Therefore, a spin-off into other scientific or technological disciplines could be envisioned, such as information technology, electrical engineering, functional material synthesis, and active device design.

Along these central ideas, the program of QSD14 was set up to comprise a carefully balanced blend of excellent talks, covering a wide range of topics during the workshop week, provoking lively discussions and extensive exchange of ideas and expertise. Moreover, ample time was allotted during the seminar week to pursue individual as well as collaborative research, benefiting from the excellent resources and environment provided by the MPI-PKS. Some of the existing collaborations among the attendees have received additional momentum and some new collaborations were initiated with the other visiting seminar attendees.

A total of 80 participants from several European countries, from the USA, Japan, India, Australia, and Canada have contributed to the success of the event. Key presentations where not limited to, but definitely included talks by internationally renowned researchers like Prof. Ian Affleck (UCB), Prof. Federico Becca (SISSA), Prof. Leon Balents (UCSB), Prof. Andrey Chubukov (UMN), and Prof. Roderich Moessner (MPIPKS).

The QSD14 workshop and seminar attracted many young researchers, with substantial contributions to the event made by the PhD/Masters students, postdocs, and junior faculty. This included several interesting talks e.g. by Prof. Adrian Feiguin, PD. Dr. Markus Garst, Dr. Christian Hess, and Mr. Johannes Knolle. In addition, there was also an excellent selection of posters comprising very relevant contributions not only from senior, but especially from junior participants.