2011-12 Annual Report to Industry Canada
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2011-12 Annual Report to Industry Canada Covering the Objectives, Activities, and Finances for the period August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012 and Statement of Objectives for Next Year and the Future Submitted by: Neil Turok, Director to the Hon. Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and the Hon. Gary Goodyear Minister of State (Science and Technology) 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 Theoretical physics seeks to understand what the universe is made of, and the forces that govern it, at the most basic level. Because the field is so fundamental, just one major discovery can literally change the world. The discovery of electromagnetism, for example, led to radio, X-rays, and all wireless technologies, and in turn catalyzed breakthroughs in all the other sciences. The discovery of quantum mechanics led directly to semiconductors, computers, lasers, and a nearly infinite array of modern technologies. Theoretical physics is the lowest-cost, highest-impact field of science. Located in Waterloo, Ontario, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics was founded in 1999, the first attempt in history to strategically accelerate discovery in this most basic area of science. Supported through a visionary funding model, it unites public and private partners, and the world’s best scientific minds, in a shared quest to achieve the next breakthroughs, which will transform our future. As of July 31, 2012, the Perimeter community has grown to include: 18 full-time Faculty 12 Associate Faculty 24 Distinguished Visiting Research Chairs 38 Postdoctoral Researchers 72 Graduate students1 As a major research hub, Perimeter’s conference and visitor programs bring over 1,000 scientists to the Institute annually, catalyzing new research collaborations and discoveries across the spectrum of fundamental physics. Recognizing that many past breakthroughs have come from young scientists, the Institute puts a major emphasis on training the next generation of physicists. Science is essential to our society and our future. Thus, an integral part of Perimeter’s mission is educational outreach to teachers, students, and the general public. The Institute’s 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. 1 This includes 34 PhD students, 37 Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) master’s students, and 1 master’s student outside of the PSI program. Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of Objectives for 2011-12............................................................................................................ 4 Objective 1: To deliver world-class research discoveries ............................................................................. 5 Thomson Reuters Study ........................................................................................................................ 5 Honours, Awards, and Major Grants .................................................................................................. 13 Objective 2: To become the research home of a critical mass of the world’s leading theoretical physicists .................................................................................................................................................................... 15 The Perimeter Research Chairs ............................................................................................................... 15 Galileo Chair – New Initiative .................................................................................................................. 16 Faculty Recruitment ................................................................................................................................ 16 Associate Faculty Recruitment ................................................................................................................ 17 Objective 3: To create the world’s best environment and infrastructure for theoretical physics research, training, and outreach ................................................................................................................................ 19 The Stephen Hawking Centre at Perimeter Institute .............................................................................. 19 IT Upgrades ............................................................................................................................................. 19 Expansion of Library Collection ............................................................................................................... 21 Objective 4: To generate a flow-through of the most promising talent..................................................... 22 Postdoctoral Researchers ....................................................................................................................... 22 Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) .................................................................................................... 23 PhD Students ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Undergraduate Student Program ........................................................................................................... 24 Objective 5: To become the second ‘research home’ for many of the world’s outstanding theorists ...... 25 Distinguished Visiting Research Chairs Program .................................................................................... 25 Visiting Fellows Program ......................................................................................................................... 26 Visitor Program ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Objective 6: To act as a hub for a network of theoretical physics and math centres around the world ... 29 Collaborations and Partnerships ............................................................................................................. 29 Global Outreach ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Objective 7: To increase PI’s role as Canada’s focal point for foundational physics research ................... 32 Engagement with Experimental Centres ................................................................................................ 32 Affiliate Member Program ...................................................................................................................... 33 Objective 8: To host timely, focused conferences, workshops, seminars, and courses ............................. 34 Conferences and Workshops .................................................................................................................. 34 Seminars and Colloquia .......................................................................................................................... 35 Perimeter Institute Recorded Seminar Archive (PIRSA) ......................................................................... 36 Courses .................................................................................................................................................... 36 Objective 9: To engage in high impact outreach ........................................................................................ 37 Student Programs and Products ............................................................................................................. 37 Programs and Resources for Teachers.................................................................................................... 39 Online Resources .................................................................................................................................... 41 BrainSTEM unconference........................................................................................................................ 41 Major Events and Programs for the General Public ............................................................................... 42 Objective 10: To continue to build on PI’s highly successful public-private partnership funding model... 44 Public Funding ......................................................................................................................................... 44 Private Sector Funding ............................................................................................................................ 44 Perimeter Research Chairs ...................................................................................................................... 45 Leadership Council .................................................................................................................................. 45 Overview of Financial Statements, Expenditures, Criteria, and Investment Strategy ................................ 46 Governance 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