Our Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP) will celebrate its 25th anniversary next week, recognising a quarter-century of innovative research, global collaboration, and academic excellence.
Since its establishment in 2000, the IPPP has become a cornerstone of theoretical particle physics both in the UK and internationally, playing a pivotal role in advancing the understanding of the fundamental forces and particles that shape our universe.
As the UK’s national institute for particle physics phenomenology, the IPPP has cultivated a research environment that attracts top-tier talent from around the world.
The Institute has trained generations of PhD students and hosted some of the field’s leading postdoctoral researchers.
Many of its alumni now hold prestigious positions across global universities and research institutions, a testament to the Institute’s reputation and impact.
Its vibrant programme of international workshops and conferences continues to foster collaboration across the global particle physics community, providing researchers with access to the latest developments and critical networking opportunities.
Over the past 25 years, the IPPP has published more than 1,600 research papers with an average citation count exceeding 100 – an exceptional marker of academic influence.
Its most cited paper, Parton Distributions for the LHC by founding members Alan Martin (FRS) and James Stirling (FRS), remains a cornerstone for Large Hadron Collider (LHC) predictions.
The IPPP is also a key contributor to the development of simulation tools like SHERPA and HERWIG, essential for interpreting data from high-energy particle experiments.
Its research spans precise theoretical predictions, model building for new physics, and exploration of phenomena beyond the Standard Model, with leading contributors including Nigel Glover (FRS), Keith Ellis (FRS), and many more.
The breadth and depth of the research programme undertaken at the IPPP is unique and considered pivotal for the understanding of the results of current and future experiments in particle physics.
To mark the anniversary, a two-day celebration is planned for 24–25 September 2025, welcoming back former members, students, and staff.
The event will feature talks, a celebratory dinner, and reflections on the Institute’s remarkable journey.
Beyond theory, the IPPP's work continues to shape experimental agendas at CERN and inspire real-world applications from AI development and computational modelling to public outreach and pandemic response.
IPPP will continue to remain a vital group of discovery and innovation in the ever-evolving field of particle physics.
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