Nathan Seiberg, professor in the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study, will explore string theory and other aspects of scientific progress in the 2025 Hans Bethe Lecture, “What Happens at Shorter Distances?” His talk will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in Schwartz Auditorium, Rockefeller Hall.

Seiberg’s lecture will explore how scientific progress often moves in two directions: probing deeper into nature’s fundamental laws at shorter distances and uncovering new consequences of those laws at larger scales. Seiberg will illustrate this two-way approach with examples from different branches of science and discuss how string theory may reshape this paradigm.

Seiberg is known for his contributions to string theory, quantum field theory, particle physics and condensed matter physics. His solutions of theories have uncovered insights into the fundamental role of electric-magnetic duality in quantum field theories, along with many applications in physics and mathematics. His recent work focuses on the role of dualities, symmetries and anomalies in systems of interest in condensed matter physics. 

Read the full story on The College of Arts & Sciences website.