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Physics

# Episode Title Description People Date
101 'Light' Part 1 - Connecting to the internet through your lights Can we receive information through our lighting? Dominic O'Brien 25 Jul 2016
102 New Frontiers in Cosmology In the fourth part of their discussion, Joe Silk and John Peacock conjecture about future developments in cosmology. What part of cosmology is most likely to be fruitful? This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on May 12, 2016. John Peacock, Joe Silk 13 Jul 2016
103 Dark Energy and the Multiverse In the third part of their discussion, Joe Silk and John Peacock consider approaches to dark energy. Should we accept the multiverse, or wait for a theory of quantum gravity? John Peacock, Joe Silk 13 Jul 2016
104 New Data and New Work In the second part of their discussion, Joe Silk and John Peacock discuss possible future sources of data and developments in cosmology. They conjecture about the search for dark matter and its impact on astronomy. John Peacock, Joe Silk 13 Jul 2016
105 New Statistics and Prediction In the first part of their discussion, Joe Silk and John Peacock compare approaches to statistics and how these bear on predictions in cosmology, including Weinberg’s prediction of the cosmological constant. John Peacock, Joe Silk 13 Jul 2016
106 Practical Fine-Tuning In the fourth part of their discussion, Luke Barnes and David Sloan look for ways the fine-tuning problems can lead to advances in physics. Luke Barnes, David Sloan 13 Jul 2016
107 Comparing Theories In the third part of their discussion, Luke Barnes and David Sloan puzzle over the way we compare theories, and whether there can be a theory that doesn’t have some unexplained posits. Luke Barnes, David Sloan 13 Jul 2016
108 New Approaches to Probability In the second part of their discussion, Luke Barnes and David Sloan go over the difference between frequentist and bayesian statistics, and how this difference applies to astrophysics and cosmology. Luke Barnes, David Sloan 13 Jul 2016
109 What Is Fine-Tuning? In the first part of their discussion, Luke Barnes and David Sloan come up with a working understanding of fine-tuning. They also discuss various examples of fine-tuning in physics. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on May 13, 2016 Luke Barnes, David Sloan 13 Jul 2016
110 'Senses' Part 3 - Seeing across the galaxy How can you spot what's happening in space billions of light years away from right here on Earth? Garret Cotter 08 Jul 2016
111 Creative Commons Quantum Sensors sans Frontier Physics Colloquium 10th June 2016 delivered by Professor Swapan Chattopadhyay Swapan Chattopadhyay 16 Jun 2016
112 The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning-discussion The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning - Stars, Galaxies, and the Multiverse, audience and panel discussion John Peacock, Joe Silk, Adrianne Slyz 27 May 2016
113 How do Galaxies know when, where and how quickly to form stars? The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning - Stars, Galaxies, and the Multiverse, Adrianne Slyz (Oxford) talks about How do Galaxies know when, where and how quickly to form stars? Adrianne Slyz 27 May 2016
114 The Limits of Cosmology The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning - Stars, Galaxies, and the Multiverse, Joe Silk (Oxford, IAP; John Hopkins) talks about The Limits of Cosmology Joe Silk 27 May 2016
115 Observer Selection and Fine-Tuning Puzzles in Cosmology The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning - Stars, Galaxies, and the Multiverse, John Peacock (Edinburgh) talks about Observer Selection and Fine-Tuning Puzzles in Cosmology John Peacock 27 May 2016
116 String Theory and Particle Physics Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the ninth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 21st May 2016. Talk 2 by Professor Andre Lukas. Andre Lukas 24 May 2016
117 String Theory: Then and Now Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the ninth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 21st May 2016. Talk 1 by Professor Joseph Conlon. Joseph Conlon 24 May 2016
118 Our Place in the Cosmos Astrophysicist and bestselling author Mario Livio delivers a speculative talk about humans place in the cosmos. Mario Livio 10 May 2016
119 Capitalizing on diversity: Outcomes of planet formation as initial conditions for life Michael R. Meyer, Institute for Astronomy, Department of Physics, ETH Zurich, delivers a talk about planet formation and conditions for life to exist. Michael Meyer 10 May 2016
120 Where and how might we search for life? From planet demographics to biosignatures Professor Suzanne Aigrain is an expert exoplanet researcher. In this talk she will outline the methods for detection and characterisation of exoplanets in the context of finding planets that might harbor life. Suzanne Aigrain 10 May 2016
121 What Can We Learn from Planetary Surveys? In the fourth part of their discussion, Suzanne Aigrain and Michael Meyer discuss how we move from observations of exoplanets to conclusions about their types and formation. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016. Suzanne Aigrain, Michael Meyer 20 Apr 2016
122 Is Our Solar System Special? In the third part of their discussion, Suzanne Aigrain and Michael Meyer discuss ways in which our solar system is unusual in its makeup and formation. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016. Suzanne Aigrain, Michael Meyer 20 Apr 2016
123 Fine-Tuning and the Scientific Process In the second part of their discussion, Michael Meyer and Suzanne Aigrain talk about the way they, as working physicists, think of fine-tuning in complex planetary systems. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016. Suzanne Aigrain, Michael Meyer 20 Apr 2016
124 Telescope Design and the Search for Life In the first part of their discussion, Michael Meyer and Suzanne Aigrain lay out the conditions for habitability on an exoplanet and challenges of looking for such planets. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016. Suzanne Aigrain, Michael Meyer 20 Apr 2016
125 Life in the Universe: Where and How Can We Find It? In the fourth part of their discussion, Mario Livio and Joe Silk talk about the way planetary systems form and the preconditions for life-bearing planets to exist. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016 Joe Silk, Mario Livio 19 Apr 2016
126 Testability, Physics, and the Multiverse In the third part of their discussion, Mario Livio and Joe Silk ask: could our theories exceed our ability to test them? Have they already? This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016. Joe Silkl, Mario Livio 19 Apr 2016
127 Biosignatures and the Search for Life In the second part of their discussion, Joe Silk and Mario Livio go over biosignatures: things which, if observed, would be evidence for life. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016. Joe Silk, Mario Livio 19 Apr 2016
128 Life in the Universe: The Fermi Paradox In the first part of their discussion, Joe Silk and Mario Livio consider the chances of life elsewhere in the universe. They talk about the Fermi paradox and responses to it. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016. Joe Silk, Mario Livio 19 Apr 2016
129 Run for Your Light You may have heard the word “quantum” bandied around a lot. But what does it mean? In this animation we take a look at how the photon – the quantum particle of light – is being harnessed to help create new technologies like quantum computers. Robert Taylor, Steven Kolthammer, Josh Nunn 12 Apr 2016
130 Shedding Light on the Situation Light is more than just light bulbs and sunshine! Researchers at the University of Oxford use different types of light to learn more about all sorts of interesting things. Jena Meinecke, Chris Rennick, Brianna Heazlewood, Clarence Yapp 12 Apr 2016
131 Explaining Fine-Tuning Ard Louis in conversation with George Ellis. Part four - Explaining Fine-Tuning. George Ellis, Ard Louis 12 Apr 2016
132 Fine Tuning in Biology Ard Louis in conversation with George Ellis. Part three - Fine Tuning in Biology. George Ellis, Ard Louis 12 Apr 2016
133 Possibility Spaces Ard Louis in conversation with George Ellis. Part two - Possibility Spaces. George Ellis, Ard Louis 12 Apr 2016
134 Top Down Causation Ard Louis in conversation with George Ellis. Part one - Top Down Causation. George Ellis, Ard Louis 11 Apr 2016
135 Dark Matter Oxford Students discuss Dark Matter. Aled Walker, Peter Hatfield, Fran Day, Talitha Bromwich 04 Apr 2016
136 Creative Commons The Unity of the Universe The Final Dennis Sciama Memorial Lecture delivered by Professor David Deutsch David Deutsch 09 Mar 2016
137 Engineering Defects in Diamond Physics Colloquium 26th February 2016 delivered by Professor Mark Newton Mark Newton 04 Mar 2016
138 Optical Microscopy and Spectroscopy of Single Molecules and Single Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles Physics Colloquium 19th February 2016 delivered by Professor Michel Orrit Michel Orrit 04 Mar 2016
139 Fundamental constants and biology George Ellis of the University of Cape Town shows how we can use a space of possibilities to assess the fragility of life. This talk was part of the Consolidation of Fine-Tuning Project's first workshop, "Life in the Universe", on November 3, 2015. George Ellis 02 Mar 2016
140 Assessing Fine-Tuning in Physics: How Many? How Fine? How Come? Bernard Carr of Queen Mary University of London looks at sources of fine tuning in physics and their possible explanations. This talk was part of the Consolidation of Fine-Tuning Project's first workshop, "Life in the Universe", on November 3, 2015. Bernard Carr 02 Mar 2016
141 Creative Commons Stellarators, Fusion Energy and the Wendelstein 7-X Experiment Physics Colloquium 29th January 2016 delivered by Professor Per Helender Per Helender 19 Feb 2016
142 Creative Commons Epidemics, Erdös Numbers and the Internet: the Physics of Networks Physics Colloquium 12th February 2016 delivered by Professor Mark Newman Mark Newman 19 Feb 2016
143 Creative Commons DalitzFest The Scientific Legacy of Dick Dalitz Frank Close, Christopher Llewellyn-Smith 18 Feb 2016
144 Quantum Computer Simulation of Chemistry and Materials: Advances and Perspectives Physics Colloquium 5th February 2016 delivered by Professor Alán Aspuru-Guzik Alán Aspuru-Guzik 11 Feb 2016
145 How computers have changed the way we do physics - Chaos and climate change The power of available computers has now grown exponentially for many decades. The ability to discover numerically the implications of equations and models has opened our eyes to previously hidden aspects of physics. Myles Allen 11 Feb 2016
146 Seeing the High Energy Universe with IceCube Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Inner Space Meets Outer Space: Covering the Connections Between Cosmology and Particle Physics Subir Sarkar 06 Jan 2016
147 Creative Commons Carrots, spiders and red salt – a fascination with light capture in biology Using physics, chemistry and biology, the fascination with light capture in nature will be explained in a multi-coloured and animated well – prepare for six-eyed spiders, purple carrots and red salt. Anthony Watts 15 Dec 2015
148 Creative Commons Radiotherapy: What is it? How does it work? And how will it change? Radiotherapy has been going on since 1896, only months after the discovery of X-rays.  We will explore what it is, how it works, and examine the change from X-ray beams to particle guns. Martin Christlieb 11 Dec 2015
149 The Einstein Lens and a Tale of Two Eclipses Physics Colloquium 20th November 2015 delivered by Professor Tom Ray Tom Ray 24 Nov 2015
150 At a Physics Info/Sci Intersection Physics Colloquium 30th October 2015 delivered by Professer Paul Ginsparg Paul Ginsparg 03 Nov 2015
151 How hot will it get in a world run by economists? A physicist’s take on climate change policy Physics Colloquium 23rd October 2015 delivered by Professor Myles Allen Myles Allen 26 Oct 2015
152 Creative Commons On Closer Inspection: placing Hooke's Language under the Microscope Dr Anna Camilleri English Fellow, Christ Church give a talk on the use language within Hooke's writings. Anna Camilleri 09 Oct 2015
153 Creative Commons Atomic-resolution Electron Microscopy for Chemistry: From Brain and Fancy to plainness of Observations Professor Eiichi Nakamura, Department of Chemistry, University of Tokyo talks about innovations in microscopy. Eiichi Nakamura 09 Oct 2015
154 Creative Commons Christ Church in the Commonwealth: Hooke’s college Judith Curthoys Archivist, Christ Church talks about Robert Hooke's time at Christ Church. Judith Curthoys 09 Oct 2015
155 Multi-dimensional Super Resolution Imaging Dr Steven Lee Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge gives an insight into some modern microscopy innovations. Steven Lee 09 Oct 2015
156 Creative Commons Concluding remarks Professor Dirk Aarts, Physical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford and Chemistry Fellow, Christ Church gives the concluding remarks to the days talks. Dirk Aarts 09 Oct 2015
157 Robert Hooke’s Micrographia: 350 years on Dr Allan Chapman Science Historian, Wadham College talks about Robert Hookes groundbreaking book Micrographia. Allan Chapman 09 Oct 2015
158 Creative Commons Philae at the comet: a scientific adventure Professor Chris Lintott, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford and presenter of the BBC’s Sky at Night will talk about the history and the science of the voyage. Chris Lintott, Ian Goldin 18 Aug 2015
159 Creative Commons Living in a quantum world Vlatko Vedral, Co-=Direct oof the Oxford Martin Programme on Bio-Inspired Quantum Technologies, gives a talk for theOxford Martin School. Vlatko Vedral 18 Aug 2015
160 Creative Commons Quantum life Professor Seth Lloyd, Principal Investigator in the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) gives a talk for the Oxford Martin School. Seth Lloyd 18 Aug 2015
161 Understanding the Monsoon The 2015 Halley Lecture delivered by Professor Peter J. Webster Peter J. Webster 30 Jul 2015
162 Creative Commons Champion of renewable energy Juliet Davenport OBE (Merton, 1986) Juliet Davenport emphasises the role of renewable energy in the fight against climate change and shows how unprecedented progress is being made. Juliet Davenport 30 Jun 2015
163 Parlez-vous Beams? The Frontier of Beam Physics and Accelerator Science: from High Energy Particle Colliders to Quantum Degenerate Beams Physics Colloquium 12th June 2015 delivered by Professer Swapan Chattopadhyay Swapan Chattopadhyay 17 Jun 2015
164 The Quantum Universe The 2015 Hintze Lecture delivered by Professor Hitoshi Murayama Hitoshi Murayama 16 Jun 2015
165 Chasing Fast Dynamos in the Plasma Lab Physics Colloquium 29th May 2015 delivered by Professor Cary Forest Cary Forest 08 Jun 2015
166 Climate Observations from Space Physics Colloquium 5th June 2015 delivered by Professor Stephen Briggs Stephen Briggs 08 Jun 2015
167 Cosmology from the Microwave Background Physics Colloquium 22nd May 2015 delivered by Professor Jo Dunkley Jo Dunkley 29 May 2015
168 Everything from nothing, or how our universe was made The 2015 Wetton Lecture delivered by Professor Carlos Frenk Carlos Frenk 29 May 2015
169 Making the Vacuum Concrete Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the first Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 22 June 2013. The event focussed on how we use field theory to understand material reality. Fabian Essler 21 May 2015
170 Give us a hand Oxford Sparks explore what chirality is. Jo Dunkley, Alain Goriely, Robert Llewellyn 18 May 2015
171 Basics of Anyons and Nonabelian Aharanov-Bohm Effect Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 7th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the idea of quantum computation and the strange behaviour of certain types of fundamental particle. John March-Russell 14 May 2015
172 Knots, World-lines, and Topological Quantum Computation Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 7th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the idea of quantum computation and the strange behaviour of certain types of fundamental particle. Steve Simon 14 May 2015
173 Quantum Computing Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 7th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the idea of quantum computation and the strange behaviour of certain types of fundamental particle. Andrew Steane 14 May 2015
174 Searches for Dark Matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN. Ulrich Haisch 24 Mar 2015
175 Precision Studies of the Higgs Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN Giulia Zanderighi 24 Mar 2015
176 The Standard Model and the LHC Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN. Juan Rojo 24 Mar 2015
177 The impact of black holes on the Universe Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. James Binney 24 Mar 2015
178 Black holes in the nearby Universe Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. John Magorrian 24 Mar 2015
179 Black holes in Einstein's gravity and beyond Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. Andrei Starinets 24 Mar 2015
180 Plasma tamed, fusion power and the theoretical challenge Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy. Steven Cowley 24 Mar 2015
181 Creative Commons Turbulence: Plasma Unleashed Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy. Alexander Schekochihin 24 Mar 2015
182 Plasma: what it is, how to make it and how to hold it Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy. Felix Parra-Diaz 24 Mar 2015
183 String Theory on the Sky Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. David Marsh 24 Mar 2015
184 Creative Commons Inner space meets outer space: Introduction Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. Subir Sarkar 24 Mar 2015
185 Creative Commons Motility in Living Matter: from molecular motors to bacterial swarms Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 1st morning of Theoretical Physics covering how we use field theory to understand material reality. Julia Yeomans 24 Mar 2015
186 Creative Commons Living Matter: a theoretical physics perspective Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 2nd morning of Theoretical Physics covering ideas from theoretical physics currently being applied to living systems. Ramin Golestanian 24 Mar 2015
187 Matter Emerges from the Vacuum Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 1st morning of Theoretical Physics covering how we use field theory to understand material reality. Joseph Conlon 24 Mar 2015
188 Creative Commons The Vacuum Comes Alive Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 1st morning of Theoretical Physics covering how we use field theory to understand material reality. James Binney 24 Mar 2015
189 Creative Commons The Higgs Boson and Particle Physics at the LHC: a Progress Report and Plans for the Future Physics Colloquium 13th February 2015 Deliverd by Daniela Bortoletto Daniela Bortoletto 16 Mar 2015
190 Creative Commons Science with a crowd: The Zooniverse from Galaxy Zoo to LSST Physics Colloquium 30th January 2015 delivered by Chris Lintott Chris Lintott 16 Mar 2015
191 Colours from Earth: preparing for exo-earth characterisation Physics Colloquium 6th March 2015 deliverd by Robert Fosbury Robert Fosbury 16 Mar 2015
192 How to see the world in a grain of sand Peter Hatfield gives an astronomy talk entitled: How to see the world in a grain of sand and the entire Universe in a super computer. Peter Hatfield 13 Mar 2015
193 Give Peas a Chance Nitrogen could be one of the most interesting elements in the periodic table. Find out more about this fascinating element and how research into peas and beans at Oxford could help feed the world! www.oxfordsparks.net/nitrogen. Jo Dunkley, Robert Llewellyn 05 Mar 2015
194 A spin around the brain Take a journey around the brain with Ossie from Oxford Sparks. Find out more and read about the science behind the animation at www.oxfordsparks.net/mri. Ruby Wax 05 Mar 2015
195 Humanities and Science: Randomness and Order An interdisciplinary discussion exploring the role of randomness and order in physics, probability, history and music. Ian Walmsley, Jonathan Cross, Alison Etheridge, Chris Wickham 18 Feb 2015
196 LHC searches for dark matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN Ulrich Haisch 12 Feb 2015
197 Precision Studies of the Higgs Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN Giulia Zanderighi 12 Feb 2015
198 The Standard Model and the LHC! in the Higgs Boson Era Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator programme at CERN. Juan Rojo 12 Feb 2015
199 Creative Commons Matter Emerges from the Vacuum Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the first Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 22 June 2013. The event focussed on how we use field theory to understand material reality. Joseph Conlon 04 Feb 2015
200 Plasma Tamed, Fusion Power and the Theoretical Challenge Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy. Steve Cowley 29 Jan 2015