Research Group: Statistical Physics

Meet the Team

	Ralph Kenna (Group Leader) Complex systems, scaling, thermodynamics, physical sciences, sociological and humanities. csx267@coventry.ac.uk
	Matthew England Computer algebra, symbolic computation, quantifier elimination, cylindrical algebraic decomposition, polynomial systems, computational geometry ab9797@coventry.ac.uk
	Christian von Ferber Statistical physics, field theory, graph theory and computer simulations aa2374@coventry.ac.uk
	Damien Foster Phase diagrams and polymers ab5651@coventry.ac.uk
	Nikolaos Fytas Statistical physics, nanotechnology, polymers and condensed matter physics ab5298@coventry.ac.uk
	Robert Low Liquid crystals, mathematics and natural philosophy, relativity and geometry in physics mtx014@coventry.ac.uk
	Thierry Platini Bio-physics, network theory, non equilibrium open quantum systems ab3334@coventry.ac.uk
	Martin Weigel Theoretical physics, complex magnetic materials ab1412@coventry.ac.uk
	Taras Yavorskyi GPU computing, transport networks, highly frustrated magnetism ab3785@coventry.ac.uk
	Eun-jin Kim Statistical physics, non-equilibrium processes, self-organisation, information theory, fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), plasma physics, turbulence, transport, solar/stellar dynamics, magnetically confined nuclear fusion, homeostasis in biosystems, cardiac dynamics ad3116@coventry.ac.uk
	Charo del Genio ad0364@coventry.ac.uk
	Dorian Florescu ad1509@coventry.ac.uk
	Petro Sarkanych
	Argyro Mainou
	Joseph Yose Honourary researcher, Tata UK
	Tim Ellis Honourary researcher,  Severn Trent Water UK
	Yurij Holovatch Honourary researcher,  National Acad. Sci. of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
	Padraig MacCarron Honourary researcher,  The National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Projects

Feature Project: Maths meets myths

In recent years statistical physicists have increased their interests in other disciplines motivated by how properties of complex systems emerge nontrivially from interactions between component parts. In physics, molecules interact so that ice melts and water flows. So too in humanities characters in narratives interact to produce a story. In physics and humanities emergent phenomena can be more complex than simple aggregates of individual molecules or characters in them.

Inspired by the enveloping concept of universality, the group pioneered statistical-physics investigations into complex networks embedded in narrative texts. Such narrative networks are formed out of characters interacting in the texts. The team apply statistical mechanical tools to analyse iconic mythological and medieval narratives with a view to identifying common and distinguishing quantitative features of their networks and to investigate long-standing issues in humanities. 

For example, most recently, they investigated a medieval text about the Viking age in Ireland. That research found that conflicts leading to the famous Battle of Clontarf (1014) were mainly between the Irish and Vikings, rather than a civil war as revisionist historians argued. The impact of this research reached millions of people via media including TV and radio.

Doctoral Opportunities

FCS PhD Opportunities If you think you have what it takes to study for a PhD with us then take a look at the current PhD opportunities that are available within the Centre. We also welcome applications from suitably qualified self-funded or sponsored PhD candidates if they are in areas directly relevant to our research themes. The next step, once you have identified the research area of interest, is to contact the relevant academic and have an informal discussion with them. The academic can then advise you whether to proceed with a formal application.

FCS Engineering Doctorate Opportunities Our Engineering Doctorate in Flow Measurement and Fluid Mechanics is a PhD-level qualification aimed at individuals who have a career, or wish to pursue a career, as an active researcher in industry. Typically, the Engineering Doctorate qualification is undertaken part-time, whilst working in industry. For employers it provides an opportunity to raise the level of skills of their research staff, allowing them to support the on-going developing of their own experts, who can influence and inspire those working around them. For individuals it provides the relevant technical, business and personal development required to become one of the senior technical managers of the future. For more information on our Engineering Doctorate Programme take a look at the course specification or contact us on research.eec@coventry.ac.uk