Francesca Vidotto
Assistant Professor
Joint Appointment with the Department of Physics & Astronomy
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Foundation of Physics
Space-Time Theories, Philosophy of Physics, Philosophy of Science
BSc/MPhil University of Padova, PhD University of Pavia
Office: Middlesex College (MC), Room 280
Office: Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB), Room 7140
E-mail: fvidotto@uwo.ca
Website: http://loopy.space/vidotto/
My research explores the quantum aspects of the gravitational field. This involves a reflection on the nature of space and time, as well as the foundations of quantum mechanics. I am interested in the structural, relational and perspectival aspects in those theories. I am considering the contribution of different epistemologies, in particular feminist epistemology, in order to understand the relational ontology that emerges from current theoretical physics.
I am keen to supervise projects at the interface of physics and philosophy. I give priority to topics that inquire on the relational aspects in quantum mechanics, general relativity, quantum gravity and cosmology, as well as on the metaphysics compatible with these theories. The students I work with benefit of the stimulating environment at the Rotman Institute of Philosophy and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics located in Waterloo.
Recent Publications
"Primordial fluctuations from quantum gravity," (with Francesco Gozzini). Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 7, 118, 2021 [arXiv:1906.02211]
"Pre-big-bang black-hole remnants and the past low entropy" (with C. Rovelli). Universe, 4(11), 129, 2018. [arXiv:1805.03224]
"Relational Quantum Cosmology". In "Philosophy of Cosmology". Ed. J. Barrow, K. Chamcham, J. Silk, S. Saunders. Cambridge University Press, 2017. [arXiv:1309.1403]
"Atomism and Relationalism as guiding principles for Quantum Gravity". PoS(FFP14)222, 2014. [arXiv:1309.1403]
"Covariant Loop Quantum Gravity. An elementary introduction to Quantum Gravity and Spinfoam Theory" (with C. Rovelli). Cambridge University Press, 2014.
