Gravitation is the central problem in any attempt to unify the forces of nature. A new approach to unification which offers great promise is called superstring theory. Professor Deser's research will focus on the still mysterious relation between spacetime with its gauge invariance and string dynamics. In parallel, properties of gravitational theories, particularly in higher dimensions, the role of the cosmological constant and the relation of general relativity to other gauge theories will be pursued at both classical and quantum levels.
