For centuries, the University of Cambridge has been pushing back the frontiers of knowledge about the Universe. Joining this rich tradition of inquiry is the Kavli Institute for Cosmology, founded in 2006 as the first member of the Kavli network in the UK.
Cambridge’s long history as a center for astronomy and cosmology includes Isaac Newton’s discovery of the law of gravitation and, in modern times, the discovery of pulsars and crucial contributions to the development of the Big Bang model of the Universe. The Kavli Institute is helping to continue this work by creating a single site at which the University’s cosmologists and astrophysicists from different academic departments can share knowledge and work together on major projects. In particular, KICC brings together scientists from the University’s Institute of Astronomy, the Cavendish Laboratory (the Department of Physics) and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.
The Institute started operations in 2008, thanks to an endowment from the Kavli Foundation, and now has about 90 researchers working on the following themes:
- Cosmic Microwave Background and the Early Universe
- Large Scale Structures and Precision Cosmology
- Epoch of Cosmic Reionization
- Formation and Evolution of Galaxies and Supermassive Black Holes
- Evolution of the Intergalactic Medium
- Nature of Dark Matter
- Gravitational Waves
- Search and characterisation of Exoplanets
The institute offers these scientists the benefit of close interaction as well as advanced technologies, including access to giant telescopes and space satellites. Meanwhile, the Institute’s fellowships program host promising scholars from around the globe for stays of up to five years. They are free to pursue their own independent research as well as taking part in the world-class flagship projects led by distinguished Cambridge scientists.
The Kavli Foundation Board of Directors and Staff with Stephen Hawking and Roberto Maiolino (previous director of the Kavli Institute).
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh meeting Fred Kavli at the opening of the Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge on 18th November 2009 together with Professor George Efstathiou, first director and founder of the Kavli Institute.