New Directions for Light Dark Matter

The exploration of dark matter beyond the WIMP is of vital importance
towards resolving the identity of dark matter. In this talk, I will
focus on light dark matter. From the theory side, I will discuss new
theoretical developments that suggest light dark matter. From the
experimental side, I will present new proposals for the direct
detection of light dark matter which hold much promise. These include
the use of superconducting nanowires, two-dimensional targets such as
graphene, and Dirac materials. Considering dark matter interactions
with these targets, I will demonstrate the potential of the light dark
matter direct detection program in upcoming years.