Defining a Research Environment: LIGO and the Gravitational Physics Research Community

TL;DR

This paper discusses the formation of the LIGO Research Community, aiming to understand and shape the research environment in gravitational physics influenced by LIGO's operation, through community input and strategic planning.

Contribution

It introduces a study project to identify, define, and recommend steps for developing the gravitational physics research environment around LIGO.

Findings

Initiated a community-driven study on research environment impacts.

Developed recommendations for future research environment development.

Engaged broad gravitational physics community in planning process.

Abstract

The LIGO Research Community (LRC) is an independent organization of researchers interested in the scientific opportunities created by the construction and operation of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). Membership is open to all interested individuals, irrespective of any other affiliations (including affiliation with the LIGO project, VIRGO or other gravitational-wave detector projects). The LRC has begun a study project designed to {\em identify} the ways that an operating LIGO will affect the research environment in gravitational physics, {\em decide} what we want that environment to look like, and recommend (to LIGO and the NSF) the steps to be taken now to develop that environment in the future. Contributions from LRC members and from the broader gravitational physics research community are actively solicited.