CFP: Beyond Models

Note: Extended deadline until April 30, 2022.

We are inviting contributions for the virtual poster session of the philosophy of physics workshop Beyond Models, taking place on June 14-15, 2022, in Bonn, Germany. We are asking for 10 min (8+2) `poster-style' presentations on the topics related to the philosophy of model independence in physics.

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 experimental and theoretical 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.

Please send an abstract of no more than 350 words to Martin King ([email protected]), along with information about your institutional affiliation by April 30, 2022. FINAL extended deadline.

This workshop is a part of the DFG-funded Epistemology of the LHC research unit. Organizers: Martin King (chair of organizing committee), Peter Maettig, Michael Stoeltzner, and Nurida Boddenberg