REM Universality for Random Hamiltonians

We survey in this paper a universality phenomenon which shows that some characteristics of complex random energy landscapes are model-independent, or universal. This universality, called REM-universality, was discovered by S. Mertens and H. Bauke in the context of combinatorial optimization. We survey recent advances on the extent of this REM-universality for equilibrium as well as dynamical properties of spin glasses. We also focus on the limits of REM-universality, i.e., when it ceases to be valid.