Edward Witten Awarded Hamburg Prize for Theoretical Physics

Professor Emeritus Edward Witten, renowned physicist in the School of Natural Sciences, has been awarded the Hamburg Prize for Theoretical Physics. He is recognized “for his groundbreaking contributions to a unified mathematical description of fundamental forces of nature.”

Specifically, the Joachim Herz Foundation, which awards the prize, notes his contributions to string and quantum theory, as well as his impact across disciplines.

Witten, the first physicist to win the Fields Medal (1990), exhibits a unique combination of mathematical power and physics insight, and his contributions have significantly enriched both fields. He has greatly contributed to the modern interest in superstrings as a candidate theory for the unification of all known physical interactions. Most recently, he has explored quantum duality symmetries of field theories and string theories, opening significant new perspectives on particle physics, string theory, and topology.

Since 2010, the Hamburg Prize for Theoretical Physics has been awarded to internationally-recognized scholars. The honor will also include a residency in Hamburg, as Witten's interests aligns with research being done there, in addition to a monetary reward.

The Joachim Herz Foundation, named for the German coffee billionaire, aims to promote education, science, and research, especially in the fields of natural and economic sciences. Additionally, the foundation also supports teaching institutions, students, and charitable organizations.

Read more at Joachim Herz Foundation including an interview in which Witten discusses his childhood interest in astronomy, the intersections of mathematics and physics, string theory, and more.