| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/Z534341/1 |
| Title: |
The Nature of Reality and the Reality of Nature: Resources and Waste in the Search for Dark Matter |
| Principal Investigator: |
Staley, Dr R |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
History and Philosophy Of Science |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
UKRI Postdoc Guarantee TFS |
| Starts: |
01 March 2024 |
Ends: |
28 February 2026 |
Value (£): |
192,297
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Modern scientific experiments are built on dreams of disaggregating the world into separate variables. They crucially depend on
creating controlled spaces in which the object of study is perfectly separated from surrounding sources of noise and dirt. But while
scientists strive to keep environmental interferences out of their laboratories, these laboratories inevitably interfere with their
environments. Laboratories are resource-intensive, take up land, and produce waste. Using historical and ethnographic methods, the
proposed project investigates how scientific experiments materially depend upon and impact their earthly surroundings. Tracing and
comparing the resources and waste of three experiments meant to detect the hypothetical dark matter particle, it aims to develop a
new theoretical vocabulary that helps articulate the complex relation between experimental research and its various fragile
environments. In doing so, the project presents the first detailed history of the experimental search for dark matter and provides
critical impetus to an emerging field of research - the Environmental History of Physics. Its results will aid in advancing urgent
discussions on the environmental impact of scientific research.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |