String Cosmology is the only existing framework where a comprehensive view of the origin and evolution of the Universe can be achieved within a consistent theory valid at all scales – from the tiniest primordial quantum fluctuation, to the largest cosmological horizon distances. This Action has the ambitious goal to address the two grand challenges in this field: inflation and black hole physics. 

A condition sine qua non for String Theory to stand as the correct theory of the Universe is to understand how cosmic inflation and late-time acceleration can arise within string vacua. This Action will explore how to realize such features in a consistent and calculationally controllable manner. Another task of this Action is to extract phenomenological consequences that could discriminate among different models once compared with upcoming observations, notably of the Cosmic Microwave Background by the PLANCK satellite. 

The study of black holes is one of the main avenues to understand Quantum Gravity. An important task of this Action will be to gain a more general understanding of their properties, in particular at the microscopic level.  This Action will also exploit the AdS/CFT correspondence and novel mathematical tools like Super-geometry to explore the breakdown of classical space-time and its emergence from more fundamental notions of holography, quantum entanglement and information.

Questions posed at the WG3 discussion session, "The String Universe", Bern, 5/9/2013.