Contact: eichhorn[AT]thphys.uni-heidelberg.deLocation: Heidelberg, Germany
The workshop is centered around a fascinating question in physics, namely: What is the fundamental quantum structure of spacetime? Renormalization Group techniques – the mathematical analogue of a microscope – enable us to zoom into the microscopic quantum structure of spacetime and investigate its properties. They provide a common language and point of contact between distinct theoretical approaches, including asymptotically safe quantum gravity, causal sets, spin foams, string theory and tensor models. Critical progress has been achieved in several of these approaches over the last few years, calling for a constructive discussion of the state of the art and future directions. In addition, Renormalization Group techniques enable us to zoom out from the microscopic properties of quantum spacetime to macroscopic and observable manifestations of quantum gravity.
The last few years have seen major steps in formulating a consistent quantum field theory for gravity and the development of the phenomenonology of quantum gravity, based on these techniques. Thereby, connections to particle physics, cosmology and black-hole physics have been forged, calling for a roadmap to determine the most promising future avenues of research.
The aim of the workshop is threefold: first, we aim at bringing together the research community in this area for an in-depth assessment of the state of the art and future directions. Second, we aim at providing ample opportunities for discussions, the brainstorming of new ideas and the formation of new collaborations. Third, we aim to provide a platform that encompasses the research direction of quantum gravity, mathematical physics, particle physics, cosmology and black-hole physics to determine the most promising ideas and directions along which these fields can fruitfully be connected in order to make breakthroughs in our understanding of the fundamental quantum structure of spacetime.