Conference

What is quantum? Something very advanced... Perhaps something to do with time travel? And definitely linked to computing somehow! Is it spooky? Is it revolutionary? Perhaps it's time to join Ant-Man in being sucked down into the Quantum Realm? This workshop will be dedicated to exploring how the public currently perceives and relates to quantum. We will discuss findings from current research on quantum education & outreach and share our own experiences in communicating about quantum outside of our research bubble. We will ask the question of "What does it mean to develop quantum for the public good?". Finally, we will make the case for why the public should be involved in answering that question: By playing an active role in determining the societal values that guide technical research. In contrast to AI ethics, that process can happen now, while we are in the early phases of realizing quantum technology.

I will review recent work on accelerating spacetimes in 3D, explaining how acceleration manifests for point particles and BTZ black holes, as well as a novel BTZ-like solution in a disconnect region of parameter space. I will also discuss some holographic aspects of the solutions.

I will give an overview of how the Event Horizon Telescope achieves its horizon scale science and what's to come. I will also review selected recent results from the Event Horizon Telescope both on Sgr A* and refined analysis of M87*. A focus will be on analysis aspects that are relevant for any theory / model building along with a few examples. The presentation aims to provide key conceptual aspects relevant to gravity experts who are new to VLBI.

To make progress in developing a quantum theory of gravity, we need to connect candidate theories to observations. I will review ideas on connecting quantum gravity to observations in particle physics, to searches for dark matter and to observations of black holes, in particular with the (next-generation) Event Horizon Telescope.