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

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10

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20

25

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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?