Canada on global physics research map

The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI) has achieved "great success against its mandate and mission" and positioned Canada as a world leader in the field, according to a new evaluation by KPMG. Since its inception in 1999 (and commencement of research operations in 2001), the report says the Waterloo-based PI has succeeded in attracting top researchers, generated high quality education programming and engaged the public's interest in physics and science beyond what was originally intended.

PI has benefitted from generous donations and funding support of $496.2 million from its inception until 2016. This includes private philanthropy ($223.5 million, including $150 million from former Blackberry co-CEO Mike Lazaridis), the federal government ($139 million), the Ontario government ($126.6 million) and private support from foundations and scholarships ($7.1 million). Ottawa and Ontario each contributed an additional $50 million each in their latest Budgets.

The vast majority of PI's funding to date has not been subject to the same level of scientific peer review required of other publicly funded organizations (R$, April 18/11), although the public-private nature of PI's support makes it something of a special case.

Covering the period between April 1/12 and May 31/16, KPMG assessed the performance and relevance of PI's three pillars — research, graduate training and educational outreach — using a mix of four methodologies. The independent evaluation is a requirement of PI's funding agreement with the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED).

The funding was instrumental in the construction of a new facility in two stages, providing in excess of 16,200-sq-m of space for more than 250 scientists and research trainees.

Eight of PI's nine-member scientific advisory committee (SAC) were interviewed for the evaluation. They concluded that PI has succeeded in making the global theoretical physics community think "Canada" when they think "Perimeter". Surveyed PI researchers say PI has helped improve Canadian research capacity in all fields it addresses.

SAC members also reported that PI researchers, trainees and partner institutions all rated PI high in training, attraction and retention efforts, with researchers entering academia "more likely to be successful because of exposure to Perimeter".

PI's production of research papers in top journals has also exploded with 3,460 papers appearing in more than 170 journals, attracting 115,00 citations.

PI has also been effective in outreach, holding regular lectures open to the general public, generating teaching materials and even commissioning an award-winning documentary (The Quantum Tamers).

"Perimeter is recognized by its donors as having strong leadership, clear vision, and well managed programs, all contributing to the efficiency with which it conducts its operations," states the evaluation. "Several respondents noted that PI helps create social and community impacts (both Canadian and international) well beyond its central goals, (that) could be leveraged and scaled up — for example through increased partnerships and accessible resources for high schools, universities, and the general public."

"PI has achieved great success against its mandate and mission, is viewed very positively by all respondents groups, and is making significant impacts on both science and society ... Perimeter has successfully positioned Canada as a world leader in theoretical physics research, and its influence on Canada's reputation in foundational theoretical physics is significantly higher than just five years ago." — KPMG Evaluation

KPMG did make two recommendations for improvement — maintain and possibly increase partnerships for outreach and education, and investigate undergraduate programs. The report noted that the latter area garnered the lowest rating regarding various talent attraction metrics. While not a major focus of the institute, the report said it could be improved through "additional management action".

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