Lectures Series a Hit with Public

The Quirky Quantum Lecture series brought hundreds of new faces to the University this summer, providing an accessible entry into the intimidating topic of quantum physics. The feedback for this series was overwhelmingly positive with comments like “attending these lectures was a great part of my summer.  I really appreciate the outreach from the physics department to bring contemporary and interesting science to the public,” said attendee Robert Lorentz. Adeline Kragtorp said: “It was absolutely fantastic! I am an undergrad who is very passionate and excited about physics, but focusing on the schoolwork and pressure of academic success that may come with the major can make it hard to remember why I love it so much. These lectures were just what I needed to get excited again and remind myself that I genuinely do love physics and what I'm working towards.”

Following this success, the School is hosting three endowed public lectures this fall, starting next Wednesday, September 16th, Chris Lintott, Oxford University will deliver the 2026 Kaufmanis Public Lecture, It Came From Outer Space: Interstellar Objects and Solar System Stories.

Hitoshi Murayama, University of California, Berkeley will deliver the Van Vleck Public Lecture: How did we come to be? That’s a physics question! on Wednesday, September 30th.

At the end of October, Steven Griven of Yale University will speak on The Second Quantum Revolution and the Race to Build ‘Impossible’ Computers for the Misel Family Lecture.

Full details including registration, which is requested, but not required for all of these free events can be found linked below.