THEMATIC PROGRAMS
November  3, 2025

Thematic Program on the Geometry of String Theory

A joint program of the Fields Institute, Toronto & Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo.

Distinguished Lecture Series

The Fields Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) is intended to bring a leading international mathematician in the field of the thematic program of the Institute to give a series of three lectures.

EDWARD WITTEN
Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton

April 4, 5, 7, 2005
Audio and slides form the talks

SCHEDULE OF TALKS:
April 4 -- 3:00 p.m.
Mechanical Engineering Bld, MC 102
Relativistic Scattering Theory

April 5 -- 3:00 p.m.
Mechanical Engineering Bld, MC 102
Gauge Symmetry Breaking

April 7 -- 3:00 pm
Bahen Centre BA 1160
The Quantum Hall Effect

ABSTRACT:
These will be colloquium-level lectures aimed at explaining the geometrical interest of some relatively well-established areas of physics. Each deals with a different area and the three lectures are self-contained.
Prof . Witten will also be speaking at the Perimeter Institute Public Event Series on April 6, 2005


CAREER HISTORY:
Edward Witten studied at Brandeis University and received his B.A. in 1971. From there he went to Princeton receiving his M.A. in 1974 and his Ph.D. in 1976.

After completing his doctorate, Witten went to Harvard where he was postdoctoral fellow during session 1976-77 and then a Junior Fellow from 1977 to 1980. In September 1980 Witten was appointed professor of Physics at Princeton. He was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 1982 and remained as professor of Physics at Princeton until 1987 when he was appointed as a Professor in the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study.

Witten has been awarded everything from a MacArthur "genius grant" to the Fields Medal, the highest honor in the world of mathematics. His contributions to string theory have been myriad, including initiating in 1995 what is widely known as the "Second Superstring Revolution" by showing how the five different variations of the theory then competing with one another actually all belonged under one umbrella.


Back to Geometry of String Theory Program

For a list of previous distinguished lecturers at the Fields Institute, please click here