University to support physics research

Following recent discoveries at CERN, a new University centre is to support future research in theoretical physics.

The Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics will bring together scientists from around the world to seek an even deeper understanding of how the universe works.

Its name recognises the research of Professor Peter Higgs, which led to the recent discovery at CERN of a new particle that is most likely the Higgs boson and could complete the Standard Model of elementary particle physics.

The University will also establish a Chair in the name of Professor Higgs.

Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics

The University has committed an initial £750,000 for new academic staff, PhD studentships, and a programme of international visitors and workshops at the Centre.

It will be based within refurbished space at the James Clerk Maxwell Building on the King’s Buildings campus.

Video interview

Professor Higgs spoke to invited journalists about the announcement by scientists at CERN, which gave the strongest indication yet that the Higgs boson particle exists.

This discovery at CERN completes our picture of the known elementary particles, but these make up only 4 per cent of the Universe. It demonstrates the power of theoretical physics to explain nature, even though it took almost fifty years for the experimental confirmation. So we are confident that the work of the Higgs Centre can guide our search for what the rest of the Universe is made of.

New campaign

A campaign, known as the Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics Fund, has been established to support the work of the Centre.

Those wishing to donate to the campaign fund should contact the Development and Alumni team at +44 131 650 2240, or margaret.clift@ed.ac.uk.

More information is available at: