String Theory, Gauge Theory and Duality
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen Mary University of London
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
That our universe is made out of particles is often taken for granted. For nearly a hundred years, we have had increasingly predictive models based on the assumption that, at very small scales, matter behaves as point particles which interact via specific forces. These forces, as well as the nature of the particles upon which they act, are the "Standard Model" (SM) of particle physics. Since the discovery of the Higgs at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), it is perhaps tempting to consider the SM a complete description of the universe at its smallest scales.
However, this is not the case. In particular, the SM does not account for gravity. When quantum field theory (QFT), the calculational language of particle physics, is applied to theories with gravity, the results are disastrous. In particular, many calculations done in this framework lead to unfixable divergences. This is a problem, since any theory attempting to describe black holes or the early universe will need to sensibly combine both QFT and gravity. In the spirit of much of modern physics, it is thus reasonable to guess that the SM only works up to some energy scale, after which it must be replaced by a more complete theory.
The leading candidate for this underlying theory is String Theory, which proposes that matter is not made of point particles, but one-dimensional strings (as has become clear, this theory also has higher-dimensional objects called "branes"). Although this solves the problem of combining gravity with the SM, it also presents new challenges, such as the existence of extra spatial dimensions. Understanding how to interpret these predictions is necessary if string theory is to be taken seriously.
The Centre for Research in String Theory (CRST) at Queen Mary University of London has been instrumental in understanding string theory and its consequences for QFT. The current focus of the group is broad, dealing with issues in both QFT and string theory alike. On the QFT side, the CRST has found novel techniques for calculating scattering amplitudes. These are necessary because the usual calculus of Feynman diagrams becomes complicated quickly, and can not be done in a reasonable amount of time even on a computer. The techniques pioneered by the CRST are shortcuts for calculating these amplitudes which evade the complications of traditional methods. Finding better techniques for such calculations remains an important problem, since these results will be of use to fully understand LHC results.
Many of the theories in the previous paragraph occur within the context of string theory, and can often arise on branes. Although such theories are complicated, it is possible to use both field and string theory techniques to get results that do not rely on perturbative techniques. This is necessary because such theories often do not have expansion parameters. The CRST has been at the forefront of understanding such theories, and has developed new tools for calculating the quantities of interest, e.g. scaling dimensions of operators. These techniques are known for only a small subset of theories, however, and developing such tools for broader classes of theories remains a pressing problem.
The CRST has also made significant progress in understanding string theory in its own right. Geometries that appear in string theory exhibit surprising new dualities that relate very different mathematical spaces. The study of these dualities is of interest to string theorists, since the field still lacks a complete understanding of the space of stringy geometries.
Many of the above topics fall under the classification of using string theory as a tool for understanding difficult problems in QFT and particle physics. Even if string theory turns out not to be the correct short-distance completion of the SM, its use as a tool for solving problems in QFT is secure.
However, this is not the case. In particular, the SM does not account for gravity. When quantum field theory (QFT), the calculational language of particle physics, is applied to theories with gravity, the results are disastrous. In particular, many calculations done in this framework lead to unfixable divergences. This is a problem, since any theory attempting to describe black holes or the early universe will need to sensibly combine both QFT and gravity. In the spirit of much of modern physics, it is thus reasonable to guess that the SM only works up to some energy scale, after which it must be replaced by a more complete theory.
The leading candidate for this underlying theory is String Theory, which proposes that matter is not made of point particles, but one-dimensional strings (as has become clear, this theory also has higher-dimensional objects called "branes"). Although this solves the problem of combining gravity with the SM, it also presents new challenges, such as the existence of extra spatial dimensions. Understanding how to interpret these predictions is necessary if string theory is to be taken seriously.
The Centre for Research in String Theory (CRST) at Queen Mary University of London has been instrumental in understanding string theory and its consequences for QFT. The current focus of the group is broad, dealing with issues in both QFT and string theory alike. On the QFT side, the CRST has found novel techniques for calculating scattering amplitudes. These are necessary because the usual calculus of Feynman diagrams becomes complicated quickly, and can not be done in a reasonable amount of time even on a computer. The techniques pioneered by the CRST are shortcuts for calculating these amplitudes which evade the complications of traditional methods. Finding better techniques for such calculations remains an important problem, since these results will be of use to fully understand LHC results.
Many of the theories in the previous paragraph occur within the context of string theory, and can often arise on branes. Although such theories are complicated, it is possible to use both field and string theory techniques to get results that do not rely on perturbative techniques. This is necessary because such theories often do not have expansion parameters. The CRST has been at the forefront of understanding such theories, and has developed new tools for calculating the quantities of interest, e.g. scaling dimensions of operators. These techniques are known for only a small subset of theories, however, and developing such tools for broader classes of theories remains a pressing problem.
The CRST has also made significant progress in understanding string theory in its own right. Geometries that appear in string theory exhibit surprising new dualities that relate very different mathematical spaces. The study of these dualities is of interest to string theorists, since the field still lacks a complete understanding of the space of stringy geometries.
Many of the above topics fall under the classification of using string theory as a tool for understanding difficult problems in QFT and particle physics. Even if string theory turns out not to be the correct short-distance completion of the SM, its use as a tool for solving problems in QFT is secure.
Planned Impact
The research proposed in this application by the Centre for Research in String Theory (CRST) addresses foundational questions in theoretical physics. There are direct societal and cultural impacts of this work. The general public has a long held fascination with work that explores the basic building blocks of nature and challenges our understanding of the world around us; engaging the public with science is a critical element in ensuring the progress of society, and within this, inspiring the next generation of scientists is essential to ensuring successful societies of the future.
Culturally, reflecting this intrinsically human view point, artists have sought out the latest research results in theoretical physics to provide a stimulus for their work. In some cases works and exhibitions have been directly inspired by contemporary developments in theoretical physics. This continues with artists that are hungry for ideas and a society that is more open to abstract cultural constructs.
The CRST continues to work to provide these direct societal impacts for its research through a variety of engagement activities within two main strands. One is direct public engagement where the results of the research are brought directly to the public through various media, including web based material using professional outreach specialists. The goal is to reach a large number of people with a wide demographic spread. This will be achieved through partnerships with known internet "brands" that have a high readership. Other work with teachers will provide material for them to move beyond the syllabus and provide pupils with inspiring ideas from the forefront of physics.
The other strand of impact work is to develop the engagement with the arts and to directly inspire cultural works based on research outputs. Our previous successes in this arena will be built upon with planned future exhibitions and artist collaborations. As part of this it is crucial not just to collaborate with artists but also to be involved with stakeholder organisations such as galleries. As such we will continue to have gallery-based events that bring physics to a non-traditional audience. This engagement work is ultimately about having an impact on how artists see the world and how this change is reflected in their works.
In addition to these areas of impact work that expand upon past approaches that we have found to be successful, we will be instigating a third new strand focussing on the development of a set of techniques that may be applicable to other problems with direct economic benefits. A recent example has been the use of relativity-based techniques in optics, which has the potential to subsequently lead to the production of new medical applications. Through sustained engagement with a variety of businesses we intend to exploit such spin off techniques where there is a clear application. The key to finding these applications comes from a regular exposure to problems posed by business partners. We have launched a new Business Club initiative in order to provide a regular forum to do this.
Culturally, reflecting this intrinsically human view point, artists have sought out the latest research results in theoretical physics to provide a stimulus for their work. In some cases works and exhibitions have been directly inspired by contemporary developments in theoretical physics. This continues with artists that are hungry for ideas and a society that is more open to abstract cultural constructs.
The CRST continues to work to provide these direct societal impacts for its research through a variety of engagement activities within two main strands. One is direct public engagement where the results of the research are brought directly to the public through various media, including web based material using professional outreach specialists. The goal is to reach a large number of people with a wide demographic spread. This will be achieved through partnerships with known internet "brands" that have a high readership. Other work with teachers will provide material for them to move beyond the syllabus and provide pupils with inspiring ideas from the forefront of physics.
The other strand of impact work is to develop the engagement with the arts and to directly inspire cultural works based on research outputs. Our previous successes in this arena will be built upon with planned future exhibitions and artist collaborations. As part of this it is crucial not just to collaborate with artists but also to be involved with stakeholder organisations such as galleries. As such we will continue to have gallery-based events that bring physics to a non-traditional audience. This engagement work is ultimately about having an impact on how artists see the world and how this change is reflected in their works.
In addition to these areas of impact work that expand upon past approaches that we have found to be successful, we will be instigating a third new strand focussing on the development of a set of techniques that may be applicable to other problems with direct economic benefits. A recent example has been the use of relativity-based techniques in optics, which has the potential to subsequently lead to the production of new medical applications. Through sustained engagement with a variety of businesses we intend to exploit such spin off techniques where there is a clear application. The key to finding these applications comes from a regular exposure to problems posed by business partners. We have launched a new Business Club initiative in order to provide a regular forum to do this.
Publications
Accettulli Huber M
(2021)
From amplitudes to gravitational radiation with cubic interactions and tidal effects
in Physical Review D
Accettulli Huber M
(2020)
Complete form factors in Yang-Mills from unitarity and spinor helicity in six dimensions
in Physical Review D
Accettulli Huber M
(2020)
Eikonal phase matrix, deflection angle, and time delay in effective field theories of gravity
in Physical Review D
Accettulli Huber M
(2020)
Note on the absence of R 2 corrections to Newton's potential
in Physical Review D
Adamo T
(2017)
Space-time CFTs from the Riemann sphere
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Agarwal P
(2021)
Macdonald indices for four-dimensional N = 3 theories
in Physical Review D
Alawadhi R
(2020)
Weyl doubling
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Alawadhi R
(2021)
The single copy of the gravitational holonomy
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Alawadhi R
(2020)
S-duality and the double copy
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Alfonsi L
(2021)
Double field theory and geometric quantisation
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Title | Time Tries All Things |
Description | A video instillation for the new Gallery of the Institute of Physics on Time in collaboration with Artist Grace Weir. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | Reported in National and International Media, including: The Irish Times, FAD magazine,The monocle, Nature, Art Daily and more. Thousands of visitors over the 3 month instillation to the gallery. |
URL | https://beta.iop.org/time#gref |
Description | Members of the CRST have been consistently at the forefront of modern amplitudes research. Our main thrust is to understand the mathematical structure of amplitudes, form factors and other interesting quantities in theories ranging from N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills to pure Yang-Mills, QCD and gravity, whilst also developing efficient computational methods. We initiated the systematic study of form factors in supersymmetric theories, unearthing novel, universal structures and surprising relations to Higgs plus gluon amplitudes, and we discovered new classes of elliptic functions in superstring amplitudes. Unexpectedly we found dual conformal symmetry for form factors, and led the development of novel worldsheet formulations of loop amplitudes, correlators and form factors. New symmetries combined with a novel understanding of the space of functions and new worldsheet formulations paved the way for breakthroughs in higher-loop/larger-multiplicity investigations of such quantities. Building on pioneering work of the group on the extension to classical solutions of the Bern-Carrasco-Johansson (BCJ) double-copy between gauge theory and gravity amplitudes, we have further developed this internationally active area of research. These results, in synergy with our vast expertise in higher-loop amplitudes in quantum field theory and string theory/supergravity, underpin work into the computation of classical observables in general relativity relevant for gravitational waves. We also extended the double copy to the non-perturbative sector, including aspects of symmetry and/or topology. Finally, in particle phenomenology, we have developed general methods for describing next-to-soft radiation, provided an important piece of the Drell-Yan cross-section at N3LO, bootstrapped the three-loop soft anomalous dimension, and constrained effective field theories in the top sector (TopFitter). The CRST expanded its internationally leading research programme in gauge theory, geometry, dualities and string theory. We constructed the largest class of regular supergravity solutions (superstrata) in ensembles relevant to black holes in string theory. We developed new holographic links between tensor models and branched covers, and discovered unexpected links between algebras arising in AdS/CFT and quantum information theory. We discovered new holographic models of maximally chaotic quantum systems, adding to the actively studied Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev models. We found new low dimensional topological quantum field theory (TQFT) techniques and used them to solve long-standing problems in non-Lagrangian higher-dimensional QFTs. Our studies of primary fields in CFTs had an impact on the classification of effective actions in particle phenomenology. We found universal constraints on superconformal field theories and a new quantitative approach to dimensional deconstruction of exotic theories. We found exotic branes as solutions of exceptional field theory (ExFT) and constructed an ExFT with E9 symmetry. We used ExFT to embed non-Riemannian geometry in M-theory and find a new topological phase. |
Exploitation Route | Our research is mainly focused into theoretical physics and outcomes are mostly relevant for the (theoretical) physics community, in particular particle physics, gravity (astrophysics, gravitational waves), holography, integrable systems and string theory, and the more formal research strands of our group are relevant to pure mathematics and to some degree to linguistics. |
Sectors | Other |
Description | The research done by the Centre for Research in String Theory (CRST) at Queen Mary University of London addresses foundational questions in theoretical physics. It therefore has no directly commercialisable impact and the primary impact of the research is through its contribution to society. There is however potential for spinoff applications by using techniques that have been developed for research and then applied to areas with economic impact, which we will explore in the future. Currently our two concrete strands of impact work are: public engagement and engagement with artists and culture. QMUL is the first university in the UK to receive the Engage Watermark Gold Award from the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, and QMUL's Centre for Public Engagement (CPE) is headed by a dedicated Vice-Principal. The School of Physics and Astronomy has two full-time outreach officers and the CRST works closely with them and with the CPE, and it has an extensive outreach programme that engages the public on various aspects of its research. The activities undertaken include school visits, teacher events, public talks and large scale media appearances e.g. programmes on Radio 4 such as "Great Lives" and "In our Time", and Guardian science weekly podcasts. The group is also well known for its work with the art world and Berman has been involved with three new collaborations with artists around CRST research, showing at QMUL, the IoP and the Venice Biennale fringe. We also have an on-going partnership with the Plus webzine that provides material and videos for schools and articles for the general public on current research topics. These articles and videos are prepared by academics of CRST in collaboration with specialist science writers. This activity is supported by STFC. Academics and PhDs of the CRST were involved in producing and screening the SAGEX movie "Doing a PhD in Physics" (available on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbV0YnzeTzQ). |
First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
Sector | Other |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
Description | Amplitudes and form factors via integrability |
Amount | € 200,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 749909 |
Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 02/2018 |
End | 01/2020 |
Description | BUSSTEPP 2020 (summer school) |
Amount | £105,808 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2020 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Boundary and Defects in Quantum Field Theory, Perimeter Institute (workshop held at Perimeter) |
Amount | $30,000 (CAD) |
Organisation | Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | Canada |
Start | 08/2019 |
End | 08/2019 |
Description | GGI workshop (String Theory from a Worldsheet Perspective) |
Amount | € 97,872 (EUR) |
Organisation | National Institute for Nuclear Physics |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | Italy |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 05/2019 |
Description | Horizon 2020 MARIE SKLODOWSKA-CURIE INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP (G Travaglini) |
Amount | € 195,455 (EUR) |
Funding ID | Project ID: 749909 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Horizon 2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 12/2019 |
Description | IES\R2\222073: International Exchanges 2022 Round 2 |
Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2023 |
End | 02/2025 |
Description | Innovative Training Network |
Amount | € 3,983,220 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 764850 SAGEX |
Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 08/2022 |
Description | RGF\EA\180093 - Research Fellows Enhancement Award 2017 |
Amount | £103,067 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2017 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | Research Fellows Enhanced Research Expenses 2021 |
Amount | £116,745 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RF\ERE\210285 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 11/2023 |
Description | Research Fellows Enhancement Award 2017 |
Amount | £85,992 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RGF\EA\180073 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Research Fellows Enhancement Award 2018 |
Amount | £182,744 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RGF\EA\181049 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2018 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Royal Society Research Fellowship: C Papageorgakis |
Amount | £440,398 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2013 |
End | 09/2018 |
Description | Royal Society University Research Fellowship: M Buican |
Amount | £423,856 (GBP) |
Funding ID | UF140472 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2016 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | Royal Society University Research Fellowship: R Monteiro |
Amount | £452,147 (GBP) |
Funding ID | UF150129 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | STFC IAA Flexible Innovation project: further preparation of the Linguistic Matrix Theory code and stakeholder engagement. |
Amount | £4,800 (GBP) |
Organisation | Queen Mary University of London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2020 |
End | 03/2022 |
Description | String theory mathematics for matrix data analysis in finance and experimental particle physics. |
Amount | £6,800 (GBP) |
Funding ID | STFC Impact Acceleration Award |
Organisation | Queen Mary University of London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2023 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | University Research Fellowship Renewal: Scattering of Particles, Strings and Black Holes |
Amount | £356,252 (GBP) |
Funding ID | URF\R\211034 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2022 |
End | 10/2025 |
Description | University Research Fellowship Renewals |
Amount | £303,822 (GBP) |
Funding ID | URF\R\180009 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2018 |
End | 10/2021 |
Description | University Research Fellowship Renewals 2020 |
Amount | £389,096 (GBP) |
Funding ID | URF\R\201011 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2021 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | University Research Fellowship: Geometric Aspects of Scattering Amplitudes |
Amount | £512,239 (GBP) |
Funding ID | UF150129 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 10/2022 |
Description | Visiting Professorship, Mandelstam Institute for Theoretical Physics, Wits University |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of the Witwatersrand |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | South Africa |
Start | 06/2019 |
End | 06/2022 |
Description | "QMUL Undergraduate Open day" talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | University-wide open day event talk. About 50 prospective undergraduates and parents attended. Further discussion with interested participants followed afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | "Unconditional offer-holders day" talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Part of the School of Physics and Astronomy "Unconditional Offer-holders" event. About 20 offer holders attended the talk and there was some animated discussion with students following the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Academic Career session presentation at BUSSTEPP@50 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Academic Career session presentation at the 50th British Universities Summer School in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Ballet discussion panel |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | panel discussion after a Ballet by Jasmin Vardimon. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Contribution to "Research Methods in Practice: STEM course" by Oxford University Press |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Contribution to "Research Methods in Practice: STEM course" by Oxford University Press by providing video recordings on research methods in Theoretical Physics. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Film "Doing a PhD in Physics" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | I coordinated a team of PhD students who created the film "Doing a PhD in Physics" (see link for the trailer), directed by Ekaterina Eremenko. The 54-min film describes the life and struggles of a group of PhD students in theoretical physics. The film was completed in 2021, and has started to be shown. This included a viewing I organised at my university followed by a Q&A session, attended by about 50 students. The students reported being very impressed by the film, and several reported that they were more likely to consider a research career after the session. This was one of the first viewings, but it is a European collaboration with many other nodes apart from my university. After a period when the film will be shown only in private events, including film festivals, it will be made available on YouTube to the general public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
URL | https://youtu.be/QogK7SN6nwo |
Description | Giving interviews leading to the preparation of an article on my research in ``Linguistic Matrix Theory'' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I had discussions with Rachel Thomas of Plus Magazine on a research programme initiated in my paper https://www.ems-ph.org/journals/show_abstract.php?issn=2308-5827&vol=6&iss=3&rank=3&p403=1. Further important developments from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0550321319301683 and https://arxiv.org/abs/1912.10839 were covered in the discussions. Plus Magazine produced a collection of articles based on the discussions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://plus.maths.org/content/physics-language-1 |
Description | Guardian Sciecne Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Podcast with the Guardian on string research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2019/jun/28/what-happens-when-we-cant-test-scientific-theo... |
Description | New Scientist event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk and Panel discussion, also videoed and released by new Scientist. Lots of requests for more information. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/instant-expert-the-biggest-questions-in-physics-tickets-55274130412# |
Description | Online exhibition: SAGEX - AT THE FRONTIER OF PHYSICS |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I supervised the creation of an online exhibition aimed at the general public, on the topic of scattering amplitudes and their use in various areas of physics, from particle physics to gravitation. The exhibition has several videos and interactive games. It was concluded in late 2021 and is now being advertised. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
URL | https://exhibition.sagex.org/#/exhibition-hub |
Description | Organized school visit to SPA by class at Stationers' Crown Woods Academy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I organized a visit to SPA by about 15 school children from the above mentioned school. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Performance arts workshop and publication |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a workshop for performance artists that was followed up by a publication. My contribution was a performance on entanglment in quantum mechanics and a chapter in the subsequent book, "Entanglement: Duet as form and practice', co-edited by Karen and Mary Paterson. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://karenchristopher.co.uk/project/twofold/ |
Description | Plus Internet Magazine video interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Video interview describing personal research for Plus Maths webzine. Has had 150+ hits in the first two weeks of going live. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | QMUL Ideas Unwrapped event talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The QMUL Ideas unwrapped event provides an opportunity for staff from the whole university to learn about research outsider their field of expertise. The talk attracted about 30 people. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Radio 4, programme, |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The "In our Time" programme, on Dirac, the programme has a reach of over 10 million internationally and covered quantum mechanics and ideas in topology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000fw0p |
Description | Radio 4, programme, |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Over 3 million listeners to the "In Our TIme Broadcast" concerning symmetries and Noether. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00025bw |
Description | START workshop panel member |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | I was on a panel organised by the START organisation in the IRCAM centre, Paris (part of the Pompidou centre). This covered the role of artist engagement with academia and the sciences. There were around 100 in the audience from around the world and the talk was streamed internationally. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | School Visit (Stationers' Crown Woods Academy) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I gave a talk on the LHC to a group of over 200 students at the above mentioned school. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Scientist in residence |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A scientist was "resident" in an art gallery (The Lookout gallery Aldeburgh) over a two week period. This allowed interactions with arts, the general public and arts professionals. As part of this a performance by the scientist was carried out on the nature of time. This was attended primarily by artists and some general public. Artists came regionally and from London for the event. The outcome was an interest in the ideas in physics and potential new collaborations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://www.aliveintheuniverse.com/ |
Description | Talk (St. Alban's School) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | I gave a talk on the LHC to a group of about 15 students at St. Alban's school. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Talk at WhiteCube gallery |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk as part of a public event at the White Cube gallery, mostly arts audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://whitecube.com/exhibitions/exhibition/anselm_kiefer_bermondsey_2019 |
Description | Venice Biennale Fringe Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Part of a Gallery, event which was augmented by web release of talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://www.aliveintheuniverse.com/ |
Description | Web based video for Plus+ |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Webcast describing research, currently more than 1000 downloads in one year. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsK7uXMxAiM |
Description | talk (and exhibition) at Aldeburgh symposium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | talk as part of a week long event. Also a contribution to the exhibition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://www.aliveintheuniverse.com/programme |