FAIR next generation scientists - 8th Edition Workshop

$\beta$-decay rates are fundamental to understanding r-process nucleosynthesis, which is responsible for producing roughly half of the heavy elements. Existing theoretical global calculations of the rates use either Skyrme or relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA). These models yield very different predictions and are limited due to their treatment of nuclear many-body correlations. Many-body correlations are known to determine the low-lying beta-decay strength and consequently the decay half-lives due to their strong sensitivity to phase space. In this contribution, I address the inclusion of deformation and the coupling of quasiparticles to like-particle phonons within relativistic QRPA linear response theory. The impact on the $\beta$ strength and half-lives will be discussed together with the competition of Gamow-Teller and forbidden transitions.