Project description
Twistor theory to advance flat-space holography and string theory
Understanding quantum gravity in flat spacetimes and connecting modern approaches in holography, string theory and scattering amplitudes remains an open challenge in theoretical physics. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TwiSTaH project advances flat-space holography and string theory by combining Carrollian methods with twistor theory. It will develop a three-dimensional Carrollian conformal field theory at null infinity, compute holographic correlators using a novel renormalisation procedure and explore Carrollian string theories based on ambitwistor frameworks. The project also aims to derive new CHY-like formulations for cosmological correlators and clarify how Carrollian geometries emerge from twistor space.
Objective
The proposed project will develop new approaches to flat space holography and string theory by combining carrollian methods with twistor theory. In particular, holographic correlators will be computed using a recently discovered holographic renormalisation procedure in asymptotically flat spacetimes, using both variations (akin to the GKPW rule) and perturbiner methods, which will be formulated in twistor space. Furthermore, by adapting the only existing top-down version of flat space holography (Burns holography), which utilises twistor theory in a crucial way, the dual 2d chiral algebra on the celestial sphere will be uplifted to a 3d carrollian CFT on null infinity that is expected to be easier to generalise beyond the self-dual sector to which Burns holography applies. A recurring theme in string theory has been that combining string theory with twistors unlocks very powerful approaches to on-shell calculations that underpin revolutionary discoveries in amplitudology (e.g. MHV diagrams, correlahedra, CHY formulae). In this project, I will formulate novel carrollian string theories using ambitwistors, which allows for the derivation of novel CHY-like formulae, some of which I conjecture to generate cosmological correlators. At the same time, these string theories belong to a vast nonlorentzian duality web, and the quantisation and twistorisation of these strings will significantly enhance our understanding of this web. I will also show how carrollian spaces related to the infinities of asymptotically flat spacetimes emerge from twistor space, allowing for the formulation of novel theories on these spaces that are expected to be relevant to flat space holography.
Based at the University of Oxford and guided by Prof. Lionel Mason, the proposed project will significantly enhance our understanding of flat space holography and twistor/carrollian string theories. It will significantly advance my career prospects and position me as an emergent leader in this field.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
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