Perimeter Institute visits Alberta for a week of quantum connections

Perimeter Institute took its 25th anniversary celebrations west to Alberta this month to connect with quantum partners, new and old. On the agenda: the future of quantum and Canada’s role in innovation and research.

“From Halifax to Montreal to right here in Calgary, we have been connecting with dear friends and forging new, strong partnerships,” said Marcela Carena, Executive Director at Perimeter Institute, in remarks given to stakeholders in Calgary. “It really has been a special and powerful year, where we have been reminded of the strong role that we have played in building up fundamental research in Canada, and indeed of the importance of all our proud research institutions across the nation.”

Talking quantum in the heart of Calgary

In Calgary, the team attended qConnect, an annual conference that “brings together businesses, tech creators, startups, government, and investors to transform ideas into impact.” Hosted by Quantum City and sponsored in part by Perimeter, the two-day event featured panels and talks on collaboration, investment strategies, the latest in quantum technology, and Canada’s future in the industry.

qConnect is in its third year and Emily Petroff, Director of External Relations at Perimeter Institute, has seen major growth and change in the quantum industry in that short time. “There’s so much energy being put into the quantum ecosystem in Alberta, and that includes quantum research. For Perimeter, the advantage of being here is to get a sense of what's happening in Alberta and better understand how we plug in,” says Petroff.

“Long term, having a robust quantum ecosystem that values theoretical physics and fundamental science means that we have more partners in Canada to collaborate with and to support. It benefits all of us across Canada.”

Connecting with students and faculty in Edmonton and Lethbridge

Perimeter Institute Associate Faculty Theo Johnson-Freyd was in Edmonton for the week, talking to students and collaborating on new research in mathematical physics.

Johnson-Freyd delivered three lectures aimed at undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Johnson-Freyd’s taught a batch of keen undergrads about quantum system symmetry, but it was also a chance to introduce the audience to the Perimeters Scholars International (PSI) graduate program at Perimeter.

“PSI is such a special program. It’s competitive to get into but once the students are here, they are fully working together. They live together, they learn together, and they support each other,” says Johnson-Freyd. “Whenever I give undergraduate talks, I tell them about PSI because I know there are stellar students in the audience who will thrive in PSI and bring that world-class quality of student to Waterloo.”

Throughout the week, Johnson-Freyd worked closely with two of his colleagues in Edmonton: Terry Gannon and Harshit Yadav. “Spending the week with Terry and Harshit was incredible. We got to dive deep into the projects that excite us,” says Johnson-Freyd. “Weeks like this, where we give talks and communicate face-to-face, is the primary way that we communicate ideas. Papers are where we get into the rigorous details but these personal interactions are where we hash out the ideas themselves. So it’s always an exciting time.”

Taking a piece of Perimeter out west

The Perimeter team also brought a beloved tradition west by recreating community night for donors and supporters in Calgary. Community night has been a cornerstone of connection and collaboration at Perimeter for 20 years. It’s where researchers, staff, and their families gather at the institute’s Black Hole Bistro restaurant to chat, enjoy some food, and connect with each other.

The event in Calgary had the mainstays of community night: food inspired by the Black Hole Bistro, chalkboards to talk physics with Perimeter researchers, and hands-on exhibits diving into the wonders of time, light, and gravity with our educational outreach team.

Building stronger relationships and forging new partnerships

Perimeter Institute’s Alberta adventure has been part of a year-long cross-country effort to connect with the many facets of physics and innovation happening across Canada. For Petroff, the end of the Alberta visit offered a chance to reflect on the Canadian physics ecosystem, and the growth it’s seen in recent years.

“It’s wonderful to reflect on our various stops across Canada and the warm welcome we've received everywhere. On behalf of Perimeter we are so grateful for the partners that we have across Canada,” says Petroff. “As we've travelled across the country and seen what's happening at each of these hubs, it's encouraging that there's just so much activity and capacity being built up. It’s been nice for us to see the growth with our own eyes and put our support behind it.”