2015/16 Annual Report to Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
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2015/16 Annual Report to Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada Covering the Objectives, Activities, and Finances for the period from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016 and Statement of Objectives for Next Year and the Future Submitted by Neil Turok, Director To the Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development and the Hon. Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science Vision: To create the world’s foremost centre for foundational theoretical physics, uniting public and private partners, and the world’s best scientific minds, in a shared enterprise to achieve breakthroughs that will transform our future. Overview of Perimeter Institute “Perimeter has successfully positioned Canada as a world leader in theoretical physics research.” – KPMG Review, June 2016 Located in Waterloo, Ontario, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Because the field is so fundamental, just one major discovery can literally change our world. Today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Quantum mechanics, for example, led directly to semiconductors, computers, lasers, and a nearly infinite array of modern electronics. In just 17 years, Perimeter Institute has delivered one of Canada’s biggest research successes in decades: an innovative, world-leading centre of research, training, and educational outreach in the lowest-cost, highest-impact area of science: fundamental physics. The Institute has attracted some of the world’s most brilliant scientists and built a reputation as a major research hub. Approximately 1,000 scientists come to attend conferences or do research each year, catalyzing new collaborations and discoveries. Within this dynamic environment, Perimeter is training the next generation of scientific pioneers through its graduate programs, and the Institute hosts the world’s largest community of postdoctoral researchers in the field. Understanding the role of science in our lives is more important than ever, so an integral part of Perimeter’s mission is educational outreach to teachers, students, and the general public. Award- winning programs and resources seek to engage, educate, and inspire, communicating the importance of basic research, the joy of discovery, and the enduring power of ideas. As an independent, not-for-profit institute, Perimeter’s visionary funding model unites public and private partners, and some of the world’s best scientific minds, in a shared quest to achieve breakthroughs. With the ongoing support of its partners, Perimeter is helping to catalyze an innovation ecosystem that will bring benefits and prosperity for generations to come. As of July 31, 2016, the Perimeter community includes: Ø 22 full-time faculty, including six Perimeter Research Chairs Ø 20 associate faculty, including three Visiting Perimeter Research Chairs Ø 49 Distinguished Visiting Research Chairs Ø 27 Visiting Fellows Ø 58 postdoctoral researchers1 Ø 78 graduate students2 1 This includes full-time postdoctoral researchers, jointly-appointed postdoctoral researchers, and PSI Fellows. 2 This includes 49 PhD students and 29 Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) master’s students. Contents Director’s Preface ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Statement of Objectives for 2015/16 ........................................................................................................... 8 Objective 1: Deliver world-class research discoveries .................................................................................. 9 Research Highlights ................................................................................................................................ 10 At the Quantum Frontier .................................................................................................................... 10 Exploring Exotic Matter ...................................................................................................................... 13 A New Window to the Cosmos ........................................................................................................... 16 A Holographic Revolution ................................................................................................................... 19 Honours, Awards, and Major Grants ...................................................................................................... 22 Objective 2: Become the research home of a critical mass of the world’s leading theoretical physicists . 26 Ninth Perimeter Research Chair Appointed ........................................................................................... 26 New Faculty in Condensed Matter ......................................................................................................... 27 Two New Associate Faculty Recruits ...................................................................................................... 27 New Director’s Fellow ............................................................................................................................ 28 Objective 3: Generate a flow-through of the most promising talent ......................................................... 30 Postdoctoral Researchers ....................................................................................................................... 30 Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) Master’s Program ...................................................................... 31 PhD Program .......................................................................................................................................... 32 Visiting Graduate Fellows Program ........................................................................................................ 33 Undergraduate Student Program ........................................................................................................... 33 Objective 4: Become the second research home for many of the world’s outstanding theorists ............. 34 Distinguished Visiting Research Chairs (DVRCs) ..................................................................................... 34 Visiting Fellows ....................................................................................................................................... 36 Emmy Noether Visiting Fellows .............................................................................................................. 37 Visitor Program ...................................................................................................................................... 38 Objective 5: Act as a hub for a network of theoretical physics and math centres around the world ........ 39 Collaborations and Partnerships ............................................................................................................ 39 Global Outreach ..................................................................................................................................... 40 Objective 6: Increase Perimeter’s role as Canada’s focal point for foundational physics research ........... 42 Engagement with Experimental Centres ................................................................................................ 42 Catalyst for Quantum Valley .................................................................................................................. 44 Affiliates: Uniting the Canadian Physics Community .............................................................................. 45 Objective 7: Host timely, focused conferences, workshops, seminars, and courses ................................. 46 Conferences and Workshops .................................................................................................................. 46 Seminars and Colloquia .......................................................................................................................... 48 Courses ................................................................................................................................................... 48 Sharing Perimeter Talks and Courses ..................................................................................................... 49 Objective 8: Engage in high-impact outreach ............................................................................................ 50 Student Programs and Products ............................................................................................................. 50 Programs and Resources for Teachers ................................................................................................... 52 Educational Resources ........................................................................................................................... 53 Programs for the General Public ............................................................................................................ 54 Media Coverage ..................................................................................................................................... 55 Objective 9: Create the world’s best environment and infrastructure for theoretical physics research, training,