Thursday, 13 February 2020
The University of Nottingham has been awarded two grants totalling £3 million to undertake new research into the early universe and the formation and evolution of galaxies.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council has awarded the School of Physics and Astronomy this significant funding for their research into some of the biggest questions in modern physics.
There are two research programmes that span a wide portfolio of projects including investigating the formation and evolution of galaxies across the history of the Universe, simulating the structure of the cosmic web with high performance supercomputers, understanding the physics of the early universe, developing approaches to solving the cosmological constant problem, and determining the nature of dark matter and dark energy which is driving the observed acceleration of the universe.
Internationally leading research
Professor Ed Copeland is leading the particle cosmology project, which is in collaboration with the School of Mathematical Sciences. He said: “It is testament to the strength of research in Astronomy and Particle Cosmology here at Nottingham, that in such a difficult financial climate, in which other major universities faced cuts in their funding, Nottingham have been so successful in attracting this level of support. We continue to be very grateful to both the department and University as a whole, for the support offered to us.’
The award will fund the research of seven postdoctoral researchers over the grant period, as well as supporting the internationally leading research of the academic staff. A portion of the funding will also support the scientists in creating more videos for their award-winning public engagement project ‘Sixty Symbols’. The popular YouTube channel, created in collaboration with filmmaker Brady Haran, features short videos about topics in physics and astronomy. With over 750 000 subscribers and 84 million video views, the channel is a powerful platform that allows the presenters – all active researchers in the field – to bring their scientific research to a public audience in an accessible way.
We look forward to tackling these exciting scientific questions, and to continue sharing our research with the public through Sixty Symbols.
Story credits
More information on the research is available from Ed Copeland on Edmund.copeland@nottingham.ac.uk or Meghan Gray on Meghan.Gray@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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