Madrid, 14 May 2026. The Instituto de Física Teórica (IFT UAM-CSIC) hosted “Beyond Physics: Next Stop, the Future” on 14 May, an event designed to introduce students and young researchers to some of the most exciting areas of contemporary physics while exploring the diverse career paths available to physics graduates.
Held at the IFT auditorium, the event brought together researchers and science communicators who shared their experiences, discussed cutting-edge scientific developments, and reflected on the future of physics both inside and outside academia. The afternoon opened with welcoming remarks by Ana R. Cueto (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), who introduced a programme focused on the connections between fundamental research, emerging technologies, and future professional opportunities.
The first talk, “The Higgs Potential: A Bridge Between Particle Physics and Cosmology,” was delivered by Kateryna Radchenko (UAM). Radchenko explained how upcoming data from the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider at CERN and future missions such as LISA will help scientists investigate some of the most important open questions in the Standard Model. Her presentation highlighted the central role of the Higgs field potential and how collider experiments and cosmological observations can provide complementary insights into its properties.
The second lecture, “The Physics of Machine Learning,” was given by Beatriz Seoane Bartolomé (Complutense University of Madrid). She explored how concepts from statistical physics can help researchers understand the internal mechanisms of machine-learning systems, often described as “black boxes.” By viewing neural networks as complex interacting systems, she showed how ideas such as phase transitions and phase diagrams can offer a deeper understanding of learning processes and help develop more interpretable and efficient artificial intelligence models.
Next, José L. F. Barbón (IFT UAM-CSIC) presented “Black Holes and Fundamental Physics,” examining why black holes remain one of the greatest challenges for modern theoretical physics. His talk explored how these extreme objects push our current theories to their limits and provide a unique window into the nature of gravity, spacetime, and the fundamental laws of the Universe.
The event also featured the SPIN Gala, a brief ceremony recognising the students who participated in the SPIN internship programme during the 2025–2026 academic year. The session was introduced by Ángel M. Uranga Urteaga (IFT UAM-CSIC), who highlighted the importance of early research opportunities in inspiring future generations of physicists.
The final talk of the day was delivered by science communicator José Luis Crespo, creator of Quantum Fracture. In “Five Things You Should Know About the Universe,” Crespo guided the audience through some of the key concepts of modern cosmology, including the Lambda-CDM model, offering an accessible overview of our current understanding of the cosmos.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees actively participated in the discussions, posing questions to the speakers and engaging with topics ranging from particle physics and cosmology to artificial intelligence and scientific careers. The event concluded with an informal reception at the IFT cafeteria, providing an opportunity for students, researchers and speakers to continue the conversation and exchange ideas.
By bringing together frontier research, scientific outreach and career guidance, “Beyond Physics: Next Stop, the Future” offered participants a broad perspective on the many directions that a career in physics can take, while showcasing some of the most exciting challenges facing modern science.
