Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around seeking ideas for PhD projects in Beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics. Participants explore various subfields and the importance of aligning research topics with the expertise of potential supervisors, while also addressing the challenges faced by a new PhD student in identifying suitable research questions.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest narrowing down interests to specific areas within BSM physics, such as strings, loops, phenomenology, or cosmology.
- One participant expresses a preference for cosmological applications of BSM, while ruling out string theory and quantum gravity due to the supervisor's expertise.
- There is a discussion about the supervisor's background in theoretical physics and phenomenology, with references to previous PhD topics supervised by him.
- Some participants recommend selecting topics closely related to the supervisor's interests to ensure guidance and support.
- Concerns are raised about the role of a supervisor in helping students identify research questions, with some arguing that students should develop this skill independently.
- Others counter that asking for topic suggestions is a valid part of the PhD process, especially for new students.
- One participant shares an anecdote about a famous physicist's approach to guiding students in selecting research topics.
- Another participant introduces the topic of massive gravity as a potential area of interest that intersects with high energy physics and cosmology.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
The discussion reflects a lack of consensus on the best approach for selecting a PhD topic. While some participants emphasize the importance of independence in research, others advocate for the necessity of supervisor guidance in topic selection.
Contextual Notes
Participants express varying opinions on the responsibilities of supervisors and the expectations placed on PhD students, highlighting the complexities of navigating academic mentorship and research direction.