Henk de Regt
@henkderegt.bsky.social
290 followers 180 following 9 posts
I'm a Professor of Philosophy of Science at the Institute for Science in Society, Radboud University, of which I am currently director. My research centers around the notion of scientific understanding. @isis-radboud.bsky.social
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Reposted by Henk de Regt
danielkostic.bsky.social
Our paper "Large physics models: towards a collaborative approach with large language models and foundation models" is now published online! @philsci.bsky.social
@epsaphilsci.bsky.social @hoposjournal.bsky.social @ishpssb.bsky.social @henkderegt.bsky.social @lglopez.bsky.social
Large physics models: towards a collaborative approach with large language models and foundation models - The European Physical Journal C
This paper explores the development and evaluation of physics-specific large-scale AI models, which we refer to as large physics models (LPMs). These models, based on foundation models such as large language models (LLMs) are tailored to address the unique demands of physics research. LPMs can function independently or as part of an integrated framework. This framework can incorporate specialized tools, including symbolic reasoning modules for mathematical manipulations, frameworks to analyse specific experimental and simulated data, and mechanisms for synthesizing insights from physical theories and scientific literature. We begin by examining whether the physics community should actively develop and refine dedicated models, rather than relying solely on commercial LLMs. We then outline how LPMs can be realized through interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in physics, computer science, and philosophy of science. To integrate these models effectively, we identify three key pillars: Development, Evaluation, and Philosophical Reflection. Development focuses on constructing models capable of processing physics texts, mathematical formulations, and diverse physical data. Evaluation assesses accuracy and reliability through testing and benchmarking. Finally, Philosophical Reflection encompasses the analysis of broader implications of LLMs in physics, including their potential to generate new scientific understanding and what novel collaboration dynamics might arise in research. Inspired by the organizational structure of experimental collaborations in particle physics, we propose a similarly interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to building and refining large physics models. This roadmap provides specific objectives, defines pathways to achieve them, and identifies challenges that must be addressed to realise physics-specific large scale AI models.
link.springer.com
Reposted by Henk de Regt
danielkostic.bsky.social
Our paper "Large Physics Models: Towards a collaborative approach with Large Language Models and Foundation Models" has just been accepted for publication in THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL C. It is a result of a workshop shorturl.at/6UbIW at @lorentzcenter.bsky.social, and is co-authored with:
Center for Scientific Workshops in All Disciplines - Physics & question-answering machines: artificial scientific understanding?
shorturl.at
Reposted by Henk de Regt
danielkostic.bsky.social
Kristian González Barman, Sascha Caron, Emily Sullivan, @henkderegt.bsky.social , Roberto
Ruiz de Austri, Mieke Boon, Michael
Faerber, Stefan Froese, Tobias Golling,
@lglopez.bsky.social, @fhasibi.bsky.social,
Reposted by Henk de Regt
isis-radboud.bsky.social
@chinghank.bsky.social, @willemhalffman.bsky.social and Serge Horbach at #STIENID2025 in Bristol. They presented work on the DISAPEER project, perspectives on the research literature as infrastructure, and the tensions between standardisation and disciplinary diversity in research policy.
Reposted by Henk de Regt
isis-radboud.bsky.social
Strong presence of our philosophy group at #epsa25 with Kian Salimkhani, @henkderegt.bsky.social, Karla Weingarten & @simonlohse.bsky.social presenting their work in philosophy of physics and AI. #philsci
Reposted by Henk de Regt
isis-radboud.bsky.social
SCIENCE AND EDUCATION IN THE AGE OF AI

@Science Café Nijmegen, featuring our very own @henkderegt.bsky.social and Luca Consoli.

www.sciencecafenijmegen.nl/actueel/
Reposted by Henk de Regt
isis-radboud.bsky.social
Can scientists be activists? The InScience Festival features the movie Plan Z: From lab coats to handcuffs, followed by a discussion with ISiS philosopher @henkderegt.bsky.social, scientist and Extinction Rebellion member R. de Jong, and researcher N. P. Chaves Perez.

www.insciencefestival.nl/nl/
InScience | Film Festival Nijmegen | 11 t/m 16 maart 2025
InScience is hét wetenschapsfilmfestival in Nederland. De 10e editie vindt plaats van 11 t/m 16 maart 2025 in Nijmegen.
www.insciencefestival.nl
Reposted by Henk de Regt
isis-radboud.bsky.social
Hoe kunnen we natuurervaringen, natuurverbondenheid en actie voor natuur gedurende de levensloop versterken? In een interview in #Trouw vertelt ISiS' Bernadette van Heel over haar proefschrift dat ze heeft geschreven onder begeleiding van R. van den Born en N. Aarts.

www.trouw.nl/duurzaamheid...
Neem de belangen van een kevertje serieus en breng meer tijd door in de natuur, zegt deze bioloog
Is het geitje op de kinderboerderij natuur? De kinderen die bioloog Bernadette van Heel bevroeg, vonden dat een lastige vraag. De gebrekkige verbondenheid van kinderen én volwassenen met de natuur hee...
www.trouw.nl
henkderegt.bsky.social
Congratulations to our (now former) PhD student Kasja Weenink, who received her doctoral degree cum laude for a thesis on higher education quality. The diploma was handed to her by promotor Professor Noelle Aarts. Photo by Theo Hafmans.
henkderegt.bsky.social
The RCNP members during the second day of our opening conference Impossible Triangles of Thought #rcnp2025
henkderegt.bsky.social
The first day of our RCNP opening conference was a big success, with many inspiring talks. Here is Dennis Dieks explaining the modal interpretatie of Quantum Mechanics #rcnp2025
Reposted by Henk de Regt
rcnp-nijmegen.bsky.social
3.. 2.. 1.. The RCNP opens by constructing what was thought impossible! #rcnp2025
Henk, Klaas, and Carla Rita holding an impossible triangle each Henk, Carla Rita, Silvester, and Klaas putting in the work... Henk, Carla Rita, and Klaas showing the result: our logo, the intertwined three Penrose triangles forming Borromean rings
Reposted by Henk de Regt
rcnp-nijmegen.bsky.social
We are delighted to welcome so many friends and colleagues to our opening in Nijmegen. #rcnp2025
Participants gathered around a Foucault pendulum
henkderegt.bsky.social
Hi Matthew, it's been a long time since we met. What happened, why do you need chemotherapy? Whatever it is, I hope you will recover. I wish you all the best!
henkderegt.bsky.social
Later this week, on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 January, our newly established Radboud Center for Natural Philosophy will be officially launched, with an opening conference entitled Impossible Triangles of Thought: rcnp.science.ru.nl/events/launc...
Talks can be followed online; see link on website.
Launch of the Radboud Center for Natural Philosophy
rcnp.science.ru.nl
henkderegt.bsky.social
My paper 'Understanding in Science and Beyond', a revised and updated version of my 2019 Lakatos Award lecture, is published open access in A.I. Mărăşoiu & M. Dumitru (eds), Understanding and Conscious Experience: Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives:
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-...
Understanding in science and beyond | 3 | Understanding and Conscious
This chapter defends and extends Henk de Regt’s contextual theory of scientific understanding. The theory is defended by means of systematic analysis and
www.taylorfrancis.com