The Alfvén wave, first discovered by Hannes Alfvén, is one of three principal modes that govern the lowest-order dynamics of many space, astrophysical, and laboratory plasmas. Alfvén waves are known to energize ions, transport energy and momentum, and interact with other wave modes. The shear Alfvén wave with small perpendicular scales is also capable of electron acceleration, and recent work has shown that this acceleration process is active in the generation of the Earth's aurora.

The purpose of the 3rd Alfvén Conference is to explore and discuss recent advances of the roles of the Alfvén wave from the micro-physical to the global perspectives in vastly different regimes where Alfvénic structure is commonly observed such as the aurorae of the Earth and other planets, magnetospheres, the solar wind, and the laboratory environment.