The Higgs Boson and the Future

Particle physics is at a tipping point after the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012. Investigating the only ever observed spin-zero fundamental particle is of the highest priority and will take many years. A detailed study of the Higgs boson is linked to solutions to some of the burning open questions of particle physics today, while at the same time, some of the other big questions the LHC was designed to address remain unanswered. At the same time, particle physics relies on large-scale infrastructure that requires extremely long-term planning and commitment.

This means timelines and related questions are also on the minds of particle physicists: what will particle physiccs be like in 2030, 2040 or 2050? Or more specifically, what are the big questions can be answered in particle physics in the near future, what are the longer-term challenges, and how urgent is the need for new accelerator facilities, and the pros (and cons!) of these important choices that will need to be made soon. The presentation is intended for a general physics audience.