The Gordon Conference on the Science of Adhesion provides a unique and productive venue for the discussion of cutting edge research in the broad fields of adhesion and interface science, particularly with regard to soft matter. The 2011 conference will cover a wide range of topics such as friction, wetting and molecular mechanisms of adhesion, soft matter mechanics and physics, bio-inspired adhesives, adhesion in micro-nano mechanical systems, single molecule adhesion, force measurements in cell adhesion, cellular biophysics and mechanics. The conference promotes discourse in a collegial environment designed to bring together a diverse group of researchers at the forefront of the field. Academic and industrial attendees, junior scientists and graduate students are encouraged to present their works in a poster format. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows should also consider participating in the Gordon Research Seminar on adhesion science (July 23, same location) which is specially designed to promote interaction and discussion between junior scientists. Social events and informal gatherings are designed to foster brainstorming across different disciplines and to initiate interdisciplinary collaborations.