In 1976, Tom Kibble first proposed the idea of cosmic strings, and a rich legacy of research in the field has followed over the past fifty years. A central goal of "Universe Unravelled" will be to revisit unresolved questions about cosmic strings that underpin predictions for cosmological observables, ranging from gravitational wave signals to axion masses. The workshop is intended to prioritise discussion with ample time to develop collaborative directions that could advance these outstanding challenges.

In broad outline, the programme will include the following topics:

- Retrospective perspectives on cosmic strings: their legacy, observational signatures, and future prospects
- Cosmic strings dynamics and scaling network evolution: Nambu-Goto and field theory simulations, and their correspondence with analytic modelling, including loops and radiative backreaction
- Quantifying cosmic string observables: gravitational waves, dark-matter axions, the CMB, and other probes
- Exploring cosmic string phenomenology: superstring networks, GUT-scale and EW strings, and superconductivity
- Connections with other topological defects and recent developments

University of Cambridge Students and Staff
If your department will cover the participation cost, please liaise with your finance team to arrange an internal cross-charge via PO - £150 staff and researcher or £100 student. Once arranged, please register under the relevant “UoC Member Registration: Internal Cross-charge”. You’ll need to provide the PO number or Grant Code during the booking process.

If you are self-funding UoC Member and will not submit an expense claim afterwards, please register under the appropriate external attendee category from the list below.