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2 2009-10 a Annual Re Eport to I Ndustry C Canada

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2 2009-10 a Annual Re Eport to I Ndustry C Canada 2009‐10 Annual Report to Industry Canada Covering the Objectives, Activities and Finances for the period August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010 and Statement of Objectives for Next Year and the Future Submitted by: Neil Turok, Director to the Hon. Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and the Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Overview of Perimeter Institute ................................................................................................................... 3 Statement of Objectives for 2009‐10............................................................................................................ 5 Objective 1: Achieve major research breakthroughs ................................................................................... 7 Research Highlights ................................................................................................................................... 7 Honours, Awards and Major Grants ....................................................................................................... 13 Objective 2: Become the research home of a critical mass of the world’s leading theoretical physicists . 15 Faculty Recruitment ................................................................................................................................ 15 Associate Faculty Recruitment ................................................................................................................ 17 Objective 3: Generate a flow‐through of the most promising talent ......................................................... 20 Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) .................................................................................................... 20 Postdoctoral Researchers ....................................................................................................................... 21 Postdoctoral Physicist‐in‐Residence Program (New Initiative)............................................................... 22 The GO Program (New Initiative) ............................................................................................................ 22 PhD and Graduate Program .................................................................................................................... 22 Objective 4: Provide a second ‘research home’ for many of the world’s outstanding theorists ............... 24 Stephen Hawking’s Inaugural Visit to PI ................................................................................................. 24 Distinguished Research Chair Appointments .......................................................................................... 25 Scientific Visitor Program ........................................................................................................................ 28 Objective 5: To act as a hub for a network of theoretical physics centres around the world .................... 29 Global Outreach ...................................................................................................................................... 29 Collaborations and Partnerships ............................................................................................................. 31 Objective 6: Increase PI’s role as Canada’s focal point for foundational physics research ........................ 33 Engagement with Key Experimental Centres .......................................................................................... 34 The PI Affiliate Program .......................................................................................................................... 34 Physics in Canada Special Issue .............................................................................................................. 35 Visits by International Officials and Media ............................................................................................. 35 Objective 7: Host timely, focused conferences, workshops, seminars and courses .................................. 36 Conferences and Workshops .................................................................................................................. 36 Seminars and Colloquia........................................................................................................................... 37 Courses .................................................................................................................................................... 38 Objective 8: Engage in high impact outreach ............................................................................................. 39 Programs and Resources for Teachers.................................................................................................... 40 Student Programs and Products ............................................................................................................. 41 Online Resources .................................................................................................................................... 42 Programs for the General Public ............................................................................................................. 44 Objective 9: Create the ultimate environment and infrastructure to support excellence in theoretical physics research .......................................................................................................................................... 47 Expansion of IT Services and Infrastructure............................................................................................ 48 Expanding the Perimeter ............................................................................................................................ 49 Overview of Financial Statements, Expenditures, Criteria and Investment Strategy ................................. 50 Expenditures by Activity ............................................................................................................................. 54 Criteria Applied to Eligible Activities ....................................................................................................... 55 Performance Monitoring – Internal ........................................................................................................ 55 Performance Monitoring – External ....................................................................................................... 55 Investment Strategy .................................................................................................................................... 56 Public‐Private Partnership ...................................................................................................................... 56 Governance ............................................................................................................................................. 56 Financial − Investment and Management of Funds ................................................................................ 57 Objectives for 2010‐11 ................................................................................................................................ 58 Statement of Objectives, 2010‐11 .......................................................................................................... 58 Appendix A: Perimeter Institute Faculty ..................................................................................................... 59 Faculty ..................................................................................................................................................... 59 Associate Faculty ..................................................................................................................................... 63 Appendix B: PI Distinguished Research Chairs ............................................................................................ 67 Appendix C: Perimeter Institute Affiliate Members ................................................................................... 71 Appendix D: Perimeter Institute Board of Directors ................................................................................... 76 Appendix E: Perimeter Institute Scientific Advisory Committee ................................................................ 78 Executive Summary 2009‐10 marked the 10th anniversary of Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI), which was founded as an unprecedented public‐private investment in foundational theoretical physics, an extremely cost‐effective field with an unmatched record of seeding innovations across all of science and technology. PI’s overarching aim is to create and sustain a world‐leading centre for foundational theoretical physics research and scientific outreach, promoting research excellence and stimulating major scientific breakthroughs. The present document reports on progress made during FY 2009‐10 (August 1, 2009‐July 31, 2010) with respect to the Objectives set out in last year’s Annual Report to Industry Canada. Over the past year, the Institute has made excellent progress under each of the Objectives set out in last year’s Annual Report, and met targeted outcomes in each area. These successes provide strong evidence that the Institute’s strategic planning has been both sound and effective, and that it is on track
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