Question: How does your research have an impact on the economy, the environment or social interaction?

Stewart Martin-Haugh answered on 8 Nov 2018:

This is a question we get asked quite a lot. Particle physics research is quite expensive, so governments have to be sure it’s worthwhile, compared to the other things they could spend the money on. People have studied it and concluded it is worthwhile.

There are basically 4 ways that it’s useful:

1)Advancing technology. In the past, particle physics was at the cutting edge of many developments in computing and electronics. This is still partly true, but most of the driving force behind computing and electronics development is for consumers: stuff like smartphones, virtual reality, speech recognition.

2)Innovation in unexpected ways. For example, some of the technology used in particle accelerators and detectors is very useful for cancer treatment.

3)International collaboration. Places like CERN provide an environment for people to interact peacefully, even if their countries don’t get on. For example, both the Palestinian Authority and Israel are involved in experiments at CERN. Clearly, this isn’t enough to solve things, but it’s a positive step.

4)Training. Particle physicists end up with a good skillset: computing, maths, data analysis, problem solving and collaboration. These are useful skills in many areas, both in companies and in the public sector.