QMUL Physicist Presents Higgs Boson Research at Parliament Exhibition

On March 17, 2026, Dr. Christos Vergis from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) presented his research on the Higgs boson at the prestigious STEM for Britain exhibition in the House of Commons. He was one of 20 physicists nationwide selected as a finalist through a competitive application process.

"Presenting our work in Parliament was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the strength of our research at QMUL and the importance of fundamental physics," said Dr. Vergis.

About the Event

STEM for Britain is an annual exhibition and competition designed to strengthen links between early-career researchers and policymakers. Finalists present their work via posters, which are judged on scientific excellence, impact, and communication. The event was attended by Members of Parliament, representatives from the Institute of Physics, and scientists from various disciplines.

The exhibition also functions as a competition, with finalists eligible for gold awards in their categories. Award winners are given the opportunity to speak in Parliament about their work.

The Research Presented

Dr. Vergis presented work from the ATLAS experiment at CERN, focusing on evidence for the Higgs boson decaying into a pair of muons—a rare process.

QMUL stated this research offers crucial insight into how the Higgs boson interacts with fundamental particles.

Reflections from the Researcher

Dr. Vergis noted the broader value of the event, stating, "It was especially rewarding to represent our local team's contribution to the wider ATLAS Collaboration. Meeting so many excellent physicists from across the UK was equally inspiring; genuine progress in science comes from exchanging ideas across disciplines, not working in isolation."

He added, "It felt like a great opportunity to put Queen Mary research on a national stage. I'm very glad we took the chance."

His application to the event was encouraged by his line manager, Professor Ulla Blumenschein.