Quantum Gravity

Speaker: Professor Nicholas Evans, University of Southampton

The need for a theory of Quantum Gravity is recognised as one of the big gaps in theoretical physics. What is a quantum theory of gravity and why don't we have one? 

This talk will introduce the quantum theory of electric forces that works very well and show how gravity is different, causing problems. A leading contender for a resolution is string theory but it predicts many strange new ideas such as extra dimensions and membrane like objects. More recently the idea that string theory is really a holographic projection of a lower dimensional theory has been shown. I'll try to gently explore these ideas for a general audience.

About the Speaker

Nick Evans is a professor of theoretical physics and head of the theoretical physics group at Southampton University. He studies the strong interactions in the nuclei of atoms, at heart between quarks. He has been exploring the links to string theory through a famed duality that provides a holographic projection of the theory into a theory of gravity. Recently he has been interested in whether the Higgs boson might be a bound state of some new particles; and whether there is a plasma of quarks at the centre of neutron stars.

Image copyright:  ESA/Hubble & NASA & Rhetox

Venue information

• Wheelchair access
• Free parking
• Coffee and Tea from 19:00

Please register for this talk as it helps with the rooming and refreshment arrangements and allows us to contact you should there be any changes to the talk details.