The basic objective of these efforts is to contribute to the world's understanding of the dynamics and structure of nuclear matter, whether at the level of the atomic nucleus itself, at the subnuclear level of nucleons and mesons within the atomic nucleus, or even at the sub-subnuclear level where one deals with elementary constituents of nucleons and mesons.

This objective is pursued both experimentally and theoretically, with an equal balance between experiment and theory. On the experimental side, it requires devising experiments where one bombards nuclei with various probes – for example, electromagnetic radiation, electrons, mesons, protons, or other nuclei – and measures the resulting final fragments to gain information about the forces acting both between the constituents of the targets and between projectiles and targets. On the theoretical side, this interpretation of experimental findings requires the guidance of dynamical theories that provide models for the reactions under scrutiny, making predictions as to their possible outcome.

It is the iterative process of theoretical predictions and subsequent experimental findings, leading in turn to more refined theoretical descriptions and hence better predictions, which drives the quest for knowledge in physics.

We are trying to understand what happens when high energy particles are smashed into each other at very high energies and we provide the theory and analysis behind a number of experiments to be carried out at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a gigantic particle accelerator built 100m underground on the Swiss/French border at Geneva, which aims to recreate conditions in the early Universe just after the Big Bang. We are seeking answers to some of the Universe’s greatest secrets such as the mysteries surrounding antimatter and dark matter, the possibility of extra space-time dimensions and the existence of the elusive Higgs boson.

The IPPP is a joint venture of Durham University and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) It is part of the Centre for Particle Theory in Durham, based jointly in the Departments of Mathematical Sciences and Physics. The activities of the IPPP are overseen by a steering committee with both internal and external members.

Together with the Institute for Computational Cosmology, the IPPP forms part of the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, housed in a new building adjacent to the Physics Department. The building was officially opened by the Prime Minister on 18th October 2002, and the Inauguration Day for the Ogden Centre took place on 15th November 2002.

Institute of Physics (IOP)
The Institute has around 50 groups that cover a wide range of subjects including: specialist areas of physics research and its application, such as the High Energy Particle Physics Group or Plasma Physics Group; professional aspects of physicists working in industry, such as the Engineering Physics Group; wider issues that relate to physics and society like the Education Group and the History of Physics Group.

The nuclear physics group of the Institute of Physics contributed to the funding of this event.

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).

We were formed as a new Research Council on 1 April 2007 through a merger of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) and the transfer of responsibility for nuclear physics from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). We are one of seven national research councils in the UK.

STFC is a science-driven organisation. We make it possible for a broad range of scientists to do the highest quality research tackling some of the most fundamental scientific questions.

Adopting a coherent approach to staffing strategy, research training, research initiatives and funding opportunities, SUPA™ will pool and enhance Scotland's strongest Physics research areas and will develop as a world leader in Physics, creating the largest group of Physics researchers in the UK. It is also intended as a single "front door" for potential staff, sponsors, and industrial collaborators.

The alliance brings together internationally leading physics research across Scotland to form the largest physics grouping in the UK. Major research themes being pursued are astronomy, condensed matter and materials physics, nuclear and plasma physics, elementary particles, photonics and physics and life sciences.

Transregio (SFB/TR 16)
Sonderforschungsbereich / Transregio 16 Subnuclear Structure of Matter
(Elektromagnetische Anregung subnuklearer Systeme)

The research programme of the SFB/TR 16 focuses on the nature and inner structure of particles which are subject to the strong interaction, so called hadrons. It is formed by groups from the universities of Bonn, Bochum and Gießen. Other participating groups from Basel, Erlangen, Groningen and St. Petersburg tightly cooperate with the SFB/TR. At the centre of the SFB/TR is the accelerator facility ELSA in Bonn.

University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582, and is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research, and is ranked as one of the world's top 25 Universities.