Cosmology, the Big Bang & the Shape of the Universe
Neil Turok
This session was recorded but consent to publication from the presenter has not yet been received.
About the talk
Ray, recalling the session in a later letter: “I had the pleasure of interviewing him on Science Plus… My audience, as you know, is not steeped in quantum mechanics, so we kept the interview general and more about his history and general approach to science and education.” Reflecting on Turok's continuing work, Ray wrote of “his comments on how theoretical physicists must keep grounded and seek observational results for their theories… his general optimism that we will find a solution to the ‘unification’ of gravity and quantum mechanics… Turok also proposes that his framework eliminates the mystery of the singularity and need for inflation.”
About the speaker
Director, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. A cosmologist and theoretical physicist whose Science Plus session ranged from his personal history to his theoretical work on the Big Bang, the shape of the universe, and his major contributions to science and mathematics in Africa.
As the Perimeter Institute describes him: Neil Turok is a professor at the University of Edinburgh, where he holds the Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics. He was director of Perimeter Institute from 2008 to 2019 and now holds the Carlo Fidani Roger Penrose Distinguished Visiting Research Chair in Theoretical Physics at PI. His research has been influenced by Stephen Hawking, and he chooses to work on theories that have the potential to be proven wrong.
We are always looking for recommendations for and introductions to presenters who will appeal to the Science Plus audience. Please send to Ray Schachter at Schachter.ray@gmail.com.