My interests lie in the law of the Roman empire in the third to seventh century, and in that of the western successorstates in that period. Further, in the usus modernus, particularly the Roman-Dutch law.

I am a geometer and topologist, but for some time my main interest has been in applying these subjects in quantum field theory and string theory – trying to understand the role of the concept of space in fundamental physics.

We organize our perceptions of the world in terms of space and time, and, by analogy, classical physics attributes a ‘space of states’ to every physical system. Quantum theory forces us to see these state-spaces as approximations to less intuitive structures whose geometrical nature we should like to understand better. Quantum field theory shows us how to organize them in terms of conventional space-time, but to understand gravitation – the quantum dynamics of space-time itself – we need to go beyond this hybrid picture. String theory offers us the only hints we have in this direction.

I work on finite groups and compact topological groups, recently exploring possible applications to pseudofinite groups.

As the College’s Estates Bursar, I oversaw the management of its endowment, which is invested in both the financial and property markets. During my time at Oxford University, I have also been a member of the University’s investment committee, a trustee of the Rhodes Trust, where I chaired the investment committee, a trustee of The Oxford Literary and Debating Union Trust and chair of the Estates Bursars Committee.

Outside the University, I am a trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the International Institute of Strategic Studies and a member of its Council. I am also a Fellow of Eton College, and chair its investment and audit committees.

My research addresses issues of private international law, and in particular jurisdiction and applicable law in the field of competition law.

My field is early medieval religion in India and Southeast Asia, focusing on the history of Śaivism, its relations with the state, and its influence on Buddhism and Vaishnavism.

Magnus Ryan spent the last year working on kingship and territory in medieval law, pursuant to his book on Roman law and medieval political thought, principally in French and Italian sources. He spent September in the Archives Nationales de France and a week at Easter in the Dipartimento di studi storici of the University of Milan, collaborating with Professore Andrea Gamberini and lecturing to the graduate research seminar there. He has worked principally in Cambridge and All Souls; he continues to direct studies in Peterhouse.

Global Investment strategist.      

Writer and broadcaster on political and economic issues.

Author of www.johnredwoodsdiary.com