Public lectures in physics
Every Friday in July: a series of free public lectures exploring physics from the most fundamental questions to its influence on society.
The next public lecture in physics is coming in July 2025.
Every Friday in July, since 1968, the July lectures in physics have been informing audiences and captivating the public’s imagination.
About our most recent lectures in physics from July 2024.
Physics and sustainable development - Watch below
Scientists, politicians, and communities alike recognise the imperative to bridge scientific disciplines and forms of knowledge to address the complex challenges of our time. In this lecture series, we ask what role physics has in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development goals. Coinciding with the first year of the UN International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, these lectures will explore the intersection between physics and sustainable development: from climate action to affordable and clean energy, education to gender equality and beyond.
Most recent lectures: July 2024
Oceans in Motion: How Oceans Affect Our Changing Climate
Friday, June 28, 2024 · 6 - 7:30pm AEST
Presented by Dr. Navid Constantinou
The ocean’s boundless mystery and ever-changing beauty inspires artists, poets, and dreamers, serving as an eternal muse for creative expression. Yet, many phenomena in the ocean still puzzle scientists. In this talk we embark on a journey to appreciate how the ocean’s motion gives rise to mesmerising patterns: a complex network of ocean currents accompanied by swirling, turbulent eddies that move heat, carbon, and salt around the globe. We’ll dive in and understand how the ocean’s complicated and inspiring motions shape and regulate the global climate. With that in mind, we’ll discuss then the ocean’s role in our changing climate.
Adventures in Transportation: Designing How We Move, from Scooters to Self
Friday, July 5 · 6 - 7:30pm AEST
Presented by Dr. Julian O'Shea
Are self-driving cars the future? What can Taylor Swift teach us about transport design? What happened to all those oBikes that ended up in the Yarra? This talk is an exploration about transport in the urban context, the past, present and future of cities and how the way we move impacts our lives. This talk shares stories from Julian O'Shea's work and research in transport, urbanism and video storytelling.
Physics and Renewable Energy: Geothermal in the Latrobe Valley
Friday, July 12 · 6 - 7:30pm AEST
Presented by Prof. Rachel Webster
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an urgent need, especially for Victoria to reach its legislated emissions target of net zero by 2050. While she usually looks up at the stars in her astrophysics research, two decades ago Prof. Webster started asking: what if the answer is beneath our feet? Just 150km from Melbourne, in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, the layers of brown coal create the perfect environment to heat up the aquifer and provide one of the world’s best sources of emission-free sustainable geothermal power. In this talk Prof. Webster will explore the science of geothermal energy which could be harnessed as an alternative to natural gas, giving an insiders tour of the current project to create the ‘Smart Geothermal Industrial Loop’ (SGIL).
Sustainability, Science and Australian Universities in the 21st Century
Friday, July 19 · 6 - 7:30pm AEST
Join a panel of esteemed scientific, policy and climate leaders for a discussion on the role of Australian universities and scientists in the interdisciplinary challenge of reaching the UN’s sustainable development goals.
Hosted by physicist and science communicator A/Prof. Suzie Sheehy, panelists include:
- Prof. Harry Quiney, Head of School of Physics, University of Melbourne
- Amanda McKenzie, CEO of Climate Council Australia
- Rita Adjei, Wattle Fellow and PhD candidate focused on sustainability education
- Dr. Kahl Kestin, Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) and Network Manager , UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network
Explore our huge archive of past lectures
Every Friday in July since 1968 the Public Lectures in Physics have been informing and entertaining the public.
Watch past lectures back to 1991 by selecting below or view the timeline of the lecture's history.
