Beyond Models

The lack of new physics discoveries at the LHC has had many significant effects on the field of particle physics. It has led to the re-evaluation of guiding principles such as naturalness, a decrease in the popularity of prominent models, such as supersymmetry, and an increase in model independent (MI) search methods. These MI methods aim at reducing BSM model dependence in a variety of ways and may include using bottom-up EFTs, using signature-based, rather than model-based, searches, performing SM precision measurements, or using unsupervised deep learning to let experimental data speak for itself as much as possible. The workshop will bring together physicists and philosophers of science to explore various aspects of this shift towards model-independent strategies, the tools they employ, as well as the methodological and epistemic issues they bring. We may examine questions such as:

• what is model independence? How independent from models can one be?

• how does one historically, or philosophically, characterise the methodological shift that is happening?

• have there been other time periods during which physicists pursued model independence? what relation does this bear to today?

• why pursue model independence? what are its benefits and limitations?

• in what various ways are physicists reducing dependence on models, modelling biases, and modelling assumptions?

• how do deep learning and AI searches fit with model independent strategies?

• etc.

Invited speakers include (more added later):

• Philip Bechtle (University of Bonn, physics) TBD
• Kyle Cranmer (NYU, physics)
• Richard Dawid (University of Stockholm, philosophy)
• Cristophe Grojean (DESY, physics)
• Martin King (University of Bonn, philosophy)
• Adam Koberinski (University of Waterloo, philosophy)
• Michelangelo Mangano (CERN, physics)
• Michela Massimi (University of Edinburgh, philosophy)
• Sebastien Rivat (Max Planck Institute Berlin, philosophy)
• Emily Sullivan (Eindhoven University, philosophy)

There is no registration fee, however, we do ask that you please register at the following webpage (https://forms.gle/84uyzxE77qsbyiLX9) or send an email to [email protected]. This way we can send you the schedule and keep you updated. Please register by 31 May.