Download - Particle & Astro-Particle Theory in the UK John March-Russell Oxford University R-ECFA, May 2007
Particle & Astro-Particle Theory in the UK
John March-Russell
Oxford University
R-ECFA, May 2007
An exciting time for UK theory • Intellectual vitality of field -- lots of new ideas!
• Some Fundamental Questions likely to be answered
in near future
But also…• UK theory community has been growing
• growth likely to continue
• evidence of reverse brain drain in progress, even from USA (60-70% of recent hires non-UK)
Significant developments I
• In many fields major university initiatives, eg,– Durham (IPPP)– Swansea– Imperial– Liverpool– Nottingham– Edinburgh/Glasgow (SUPA)– Southampton/RAL (NExT)– Manchester– Lancaster– Portsmouth– QML– Sheffield– & possibly Oxford (Dalitz)– ….
Significant developments II
• Very noticeable strengthening of UK phenomenology
and especially BSM physics - our future
• Strengthening of effort in astro-particle physics - our
future II
• Switch to four-year funding of Ph.D. courses helps
correct a previous major weakness
• Introduction of Full Economic Costing (FEC). In my
opinion will increase attractiveness of theory for UK
universities
Size of UK theory community
A broadly defined measure
• 19 universities with theory groups
• 186 5 academic tenured and non-tenured staff (72
in 2000 but with different definition)
• 125 10 research associates and fellows (up from
84 in 2000)
(above includes EPSRC funded String/QFT posts in
Maths, and Astro-Particle theorists)
Size of UK theory groups
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
CamDurIC Ox
SwanKCLQMLLivEdin
SouthManNottSusLancGlasShefPortNewUCL
PD
Staff
UK research strengths I
• Long history of excellence in string theory, gravity,
& formal QFT. Now intellectually much more
integrated with mainstream particle theory. Recent
reinforcements important
• Continuing excellence in astro-particle physics &
cosmology, again much more connected to PP (but
possibly some issues with funding of astro-particle
falling between PP and Astro)
UK research strengths II
• UK a major player in lattice QFT on both machine and
theory fronts. Important that we don’t lose this
• Strong presence in perturbative QCD and collider
physics. Vital for LHC effort
• BSM phenomenology & theory fast becoming a strong
UK strand. Given UK/World experimental effort &
intrinsic importance needs to be.
Funding
• The rolling grant round in 2008 will be entirely FEC
• Rolling grants will continue to be 5 years with review
after 3yrs
• Advanced & Postdoctoral Fellowships cut by about
15% in number in past two years. Should be stable
from now on
• Senior Fellowship awards discontinued
• Increase in number and value of Studentships
Future STFC funding
• Introduction of FEC will lead to large increase in STFC funds for theory
• Should lead to relative mix of theorists rising to international norms
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Concluding questions
• We need to work to ensure that the best use is made
of increased funding (and that we capture the
benefits!). It is possible that funding will be more
“focused” - is this good or bad?
• Our graduate education now has the chance of being
fully competitive with the best in EU and USA. Can
we achieve this goal?
Conclusion
• Trajectory of UK theoretical particle physics is very
positive. Especially noteworthy are the many
significant university investments in TPP. Where do
we need to move from here?