Dynamics in modified theories of gravity

Although the problem of time in quantum gravity is often dismissed as "metaphysical" by phenomenologists, it is hard to see how quantum gravity could ever make contact with the real world without this crucial ingredient.

In this project we explore the observational implications of the possibility that the duals of the constants of nature are precisely the much sought-after definitions of time - or times - in quantum gravity.

Preliminary work shows that not only a sound semi-classical limit is obtained, but also that quantum cosmology could then have direct observational implications "here and now" (on a cosmological scale).

The fact that the universe has recently changed gears, from decelerated to accelerated expansion, could signal a quantum reflection or bounce in connection space, as well as the handover of one time to another (duals, for example, to Newton's and the cosmological ``constants'').

Collaborative work leading to a number of papers exploring this possibility in detail could bring quantum cosmology out of the realm of speculation and the unattainable Planck epoch, rendering the whole field finally testable. Ironically the most philosophical of all the problems - that of time - might be the missing clue.