Johannes Branahl

The Standard Model of particle physics is one of the most successful theories in the history of science – widely corroborated with incredible precision (including to 11 decimal places) and a cornerstone of fundamental physics. And yet it is precisely this success that has put the discipline in a difficult position, as there is undoubtedly a physics beyond the Standard Model, because the latter leaves a number of key questions unanswered.

Nevertheless, with the Newtonian metaphor of ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ in mind, it will be clear how rocky the road to a new physics might be when the established physics, with very few exceptions, seems unassailable. And, of course, when it comes to what is technically feasible and humanly conceivable, there may be some fundamen-tal hurdles that further complicate progress. The outcome of 50 years of physics beyond the Standard Model: stagnation.

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McEwan Hall, University of Edinburgh

As an active researcher on theoretical particle physics in Münster and Oxford (2018- 2022), I experienced this endemic stagnation first-hand. Over that period, the idea of subjecting this phenomenon to thorough scientific analysis gradually grew in me. As part of my philosophical PhD project which I subsequently commenced on the topic ‘A polycrisis in particle physics beyond the Standard Model?’, I now had the opportunity to spend two months researching at the University of Edinburgh thanks to the Knapp Scholarship from the DAAD-Stiftung.

This stay represented a key phase of my work and served in particular to address the hitherto little-explored third and final section of my thesis proposal: the crisis of empirical verifiability in particle physics.

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View of Edinburgh

The base for my research stay was the University of Edinburgh's philosophy depart-ment. The expert supervision from Prof. Michela Massimi was hugely significant, as one aspect of her work directly relates to the philosophical questions covered by my doctoral thesis. Michela and her research team, which comprises PhD students from four countries, not only provided important input for my analysis of the experimental limits of physics beyond the Standard Model but also enabled me to engage intensively with current debates on the epistemological role of empirical evidence through colloquia, other events and individual discussions.

In addition, the academic infrastructure – including libraries, colloquia and regular exchange formats – was excellent and provided the ideal conditions for the ongoing development of my PhD project.

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Looking down from Blackford Hill

One particularly gratifying aspect of my stay was that I made both academic and personal contacts that will endure well beyond it. On a professional level, concrete plans are already in place for future exchange formats on our respective progress, such as invitations to seminar presentations and colloquia in Edinburgh and Münster. On a personal level, acquaintances and friendships arose with PhD students from Great Britain, Greece, Peru and the USA, which not only enriched day-to-day academic life but also led to leisure activities such as hikes, evenings in the pub and cooking together.

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Hike to the Old Man of Storr at the Isle of Skye

These acquaintances extended far beyond Michela’s working group, with the concept of interdisciplinary open-plan offices making it easier to settle in and fostering dialogue with representatives from various humanities disciplines. I regard an international network like that to be a great asset, one that will continue to be influential even after my thesis is complete.

Another personal asset was my living situation during my stay: I found accommodation belonging to a Scottish couple just a few minutes from the university. They were renting out three additional rooms for long-term stays for around £1,400 a month.

I had the pleasure of living with a varied succession of flatmates, from nine different countries, if I recall correctly – mostly students or young ‘digital nomads’. Through them, I learned a great deal about the current state of the world, or sometimes we simply took the household dog, Umber, for a walk on nearby Blackford Hill. The view from the top affords a spectacular panorama of the North Sea, the Highlands and the mediaeval city which makes Edinburgh so uniquely beautiful (as it happens, the top of the hill is also my highlight of the city because, unlike all the other beautiful spots, you will usually have it to yourself, undisturbed by floods of tourists).

On many points, though also quite fundamentally, everyday life in Edinburgh differed from what I am used to in Germany. As a German, I was particularly struck by the more relaxed yet highly professional way of working maintained at the University of Edinburgh. Meetings and academic discussions were conducted in an atmosphere that was markedly non-hierarchical. The dialogue was characterised by openness, camaraderie and a strong interest in interdisciplinary perspectives.

A high degree of helpfulness and mutual respect was also evident in everyday life – such as on public transport, when out shopping or was in interactions with the neighbours. I found the overall way of life rather more pragmatic and yet less rigidly structured than it is in Germany. There seemed to be more flexibility when it came to dealing with uncertainties, with a palpable ‘it'll work out’ mindset prevailing.

I have particularly vivid memories of cultural experiences that arose from my immediate surroundings. My weekends were all about exploring Edinburgh’s diversity, its historic contrasts between mediaeval old town and Georgian new town, and the presence of nature right on the city's doorstep (the breathtaking Highlands within easy reach – one hidden gem that I would heartily recommend being the Isle of Mull, which is still largely undiscovered by tourists).

Looking back, the stay in Edinburgh played a decisive role in my PhD project’s progress. It marked a phase of intense reflection, in-depth theoretical engagement and international networking – and had a lasting effect on my understanding of the structural problems in contemporary fundamental physics.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Wolfgang Knapp, the DAAD-Stiftung and the peer reviewers who were involved. My research stay at the University of Edinburgh was only possible thanks to your support and turned into one of the most formative stages of my academic career to date. The generous funding not only enabled me to conduct intensive academic work on a key component of my PhD project but also gave me some valuable intercultural experience and a lasting international network. I would like to offer you my heartfelt thanks for your trust and first-rate support.