Speaker
Description
The standard ΛCDM model of cosmology, while remarkably successful, faces a critical challenge:
the > 5σ discrepancy between local and early-Universe measurements of the Hubble constant
(H0)—the Hubble Tension. This persistent anomaly suggests that our assumption of immutable
fundamental constants (the fine-structure constant α, gravitational constant G, and speed of light c)
may require re-examination. We present a novel theoretical framework that self-consistently incor-
porates simultaneous temporal and spatial variations of α, G, and c within a modified FLRW metric,
extending earlier scalar-tensor and varying-speed-of-light theories.
This research directly engages with the Fourth Industrial Revolution through its methodological core:
we employ machine learning algorithms (TensorFlow, Scikit-learn) for Bayesian parameter esti-
mation and model comparison against combined observational datasets (Planck CMB, SH0ES super-
novae, quasar absorption spectra). These 4IR tools enable us to efficiently explore high-dimensional
parameter spaces and quantify the statistical evidence for varying constants—a task impossible with
traditional grid-search methods.
Our preliminary analytical results indicate that time-variation in α and G can modify the sound
horizon at recombination, potentially reconciling the local and primordial H0 measurements while
remaining consistent with Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and large-scale structure constraints. The
framework also produces testable predictions for upcoming facilities (ELT, JWST, SKA), position-
ing African research at the forefront of precision cosmology.
Inclusivity and sustainability are embedded in this project: it is conducted within the Fundamental
Theoretical Physics Group at NUST, fostering local research capacity in Zimbabwe, and has been
accepted for presentation at the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) 2026 Conference. By devel-
oping home-grown expertise in computational cosmology and data science, this work contributes
to building a sustainable African physics community capable of addressing fundamental questions
while participating in the global 4IR transformation.
| Apply for student award at which level: | PhD |
|---|---|
| Consent on use of personal information: Abstract Submission | Yes, I ACCEPT |