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Physics at Oxford aspire to be one of the best physics departments in the world by conducting cutting-edge research and by teaching and developing the careers of the next generation of physicists.
Physics work on major facilities worldwide, develop the most advanced experimental techniques and the most sophisticated theoretical methods to investigate nature at every scale.
Oxford University Physics Department pursues fundamental science and in doing so make discoveries that enable them to contribute directly to tackling the challenging problems facing society.

Series associated with Department of Physics

Oxford Physics Academic Lectures
Oxford Physics Public Lectures
Oxford Physics Research
Oxford Physics Short Talks and Introductions
Stargazing
The Oxford Solid State Basics
The Physics of Fine-Tuning
Theoretical Physics - From Outer Space to Plasma
# Episode Title Description People Date
201 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
202 Gravitational lensing: one of the sharpest tools in an astronomer's toolbox Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the eighth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 19 September 2015. Talk 3 by Professor James Binney. James Binney 24 Sep 2015
203 General Relativity: what is it & why Einstein conceived it thus Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the eighth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 19 September 2015. Talk 2 by Professor John Wheater. John Wheater 24 Sep 2015
204 Cosmology from General Relativity Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the eighth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 19 September 2015. Talk 3 by Pedro Ferreira. Pedro Ferreira 24 Sep 2015
205 Understanding the Monsoon The 2015 Halley Lecture delivered by Professor Peter J. Webster Peter J. Webster 30 Jul 2015
206 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
207 The Quantum Universe The 2015 Hintze Lecture delivered by Professor Hitoshi Murayama Hitoshi Murayama 16 Jun 2015
208 Chasing Fast Dynamos in the Plasma Lab Physics Colloquium 29th May 2015 delivered by Professor Cary Forest Cary Forest 08 Jun 2015
209 Climate Observations from Space Physics Colloquium 5th June 2015 delivered by Professor Stephen Briggs Stephen Briggs 08 Jun 2015
210 Cosmology from the Microwave Background Physics Colloquium 22nd May 2015 delivered by Professor Jo Dunkley Jo Dunkley 29 May 2015
211 Everything from nothing, or how our universe was made The 2015 Wetton Lecture delivered by Professor Carlos Frenk Carlos Frenk 29 May 2015
212 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
213 Topological Boundary Modes from Quantum Electronics to Classical Mechanics The 2015 Cherwell-Simon Lecture delivered by Professor Charles Kane Charles Kane 20 May 2015
214 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
215 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
216 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
217 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
218 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
219 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
220 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
221 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
222 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
223 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
224 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
225 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
226 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
227 Creative Commons Darkness Visible: The Hunt For Dark Matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. Felix Kahlhoefer 24 Mar 2015
228 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
229 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
230 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
231 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
232 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
233 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
234 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
235 Colours from Earth: preparing for exo-earth characterisation Physics Colloquium 6th March 2015 deliverd by Robert Fosbury Robert Fosbury 16 Mar 2015
236 The Seven Wonders of Galaxy Zoo Becky Smethurst shows how citizen science and the Galaxy Zoo project is helping researchers tackle difficult scientific questions. Becky Smethurst 13 Mar 2015
237 Astronomy at the Highest Energies Possible Researcher Stephen Rayner talks on how astronomers study the highest energies possible to detect particle accelerators in space. Stephen Rayner 13 Mar 2015
238 Spectromania! James Gilbert, a researcher in astrophysics gives an exciting talk on how astronomy uses Spectroscopy - the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. James Gilbert 13 Mar 2015
239 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
240 The Beagle expedition to Mars The Beagle 2 probe had not been seen or heard from since December 2003 and had been presumed lost. Researcher Chris Linttot gives an overview and shows newly found images of the probe on the surface of Mars. Chris Lintott 13 Mar 2015
241 The Philae - Rosetta Mission (update) Researcher Colin Wilson gives an update on the Rosetta mission with the latest news on the Philae comet lander Colin Wilson 13 Mar 2015
242 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
243 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
244 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
245 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
246 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
247 String Theory on the Sky Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics. The event focused on the interface between theoretical developments in particle physics and astrophysics/cosmology. David Marsh 29 Jan 2015
248 From you to the largest structure in the Universe Robert Simpson, an astronomy researcher from Oxford takes us on a tour of the Universe, explaining the incredible distances and relative dimensions of space. Robert Simpson 19 Dec 2014
249 Gloomy Worlds: Why are planets cloudy? Jo Barstow explains the complex science behind the clouds that surround the planets. Jo Barstow 19 Dec 2014
250 The Philae - Rosetta Comet Mission On 12 November 2014, the Philae probe achieved the first-ever soft landing on a comet nucleus. Colin Wilson, a researcher from Oxford, gives an update on the landing and explains the history and science behind this incredible mission. Colin Wilson 19 Dec 2014
251 Black Holes, Axions and the Gravitational Atom in the Sky Physics Colloquium 5th December 2014 delivered by Dr Asimina Arvanitak Asimina Arvanitak 17 Dec 2014
252 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 15 Dec 2014
253 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 15 Dec 2014
254 Creative Commons Motility in Living Matter 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 Julia Yeomans 15 Dec 2014
255 Creative Commons Inner Space Meets Outer Space Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. Subir Sarkar 15 Dec 2014
256 Creative Commons Darkness Visible: The Hunt For Dark Matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. Felix Kahlhoefer 15 Dec 2014
257 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 15 Dec 2014
258 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 15 Dec 2014
259 Creative Commons Ice Cores, Climate and Sea Ice Physics Colloquium 14th November 2014 delivered by Prof Eric Wolff Eric Wolff 02 Dec 2014
260 Creative Commons Inside the Centre: The Life and Work of J. Robert Oppenheimer Physics Colloquium 21st November 2014 delivered by Prof Ray Monk Ray Monk 02 Dec 2014
261 Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars, and Black Holes: The Wickedly Cool Stellar Undead The 9th Hintze Lecture delivered by Professor Scott Ransom Scott Ransom 02 Dec 2014
262 A Physicist’s View of the Emergence of Terrestrial Vertebrates Physics Colloquium 7th November 2014. Delivered by Professor Steve Balbus, Savilian Professor of Astronomy, Head of Astrophysics, University of Oxford. Steve Balbus 01 Dec 2014
263 Science and the Art of Inventiveness Physics Colloquium 24th October 2014. Delivered by Professor Andrei Seryi, Director of the John Adams Institute. Andrei Seryi 01 Dec 2014
264 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 05 Nov 2014
265 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 05 Nov 2014
266 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 05 Nov 2014
267 Creative Commons 21. Mean Field Theory and Closing Thoughts Last in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
268 Creative Commons 20. Collective Magnetism Lecture 20 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
269 Creative Commons 19. Magnetic Properties of Atoms Lecture 19 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
270 Creative Commons 18. Semiconductor Devices and Introduction to Magnetism Lecture 18 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
271 Creative Commons 17. Dynamics of Electrons in Bands Lecture 17 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
272 Creative Commons 16. Band Structure and Optical Properties of Solids Lecture 16 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
273 Creative Commons 15. Nearly Free Electron Model Lecture 15 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
274 Creative Commons 14. Waves in Reciprocal Space Lecture 14 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
275 Creative Commons 13. Scattering Experiments III Lecture 13 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
276 Creative Commons 12. Scattering Experiments II Lecture 12 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
277 Creative Commons 11. Reciprocal Space and Scattering Lecture 11 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
278 Creative Commons 10. Geometry of Solids II: Real Space And Reciprocal Space Lecture 10 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
279 Creative Commons 09. Geometry of Solids I: Crystal Structure in Real Space Lecture 9 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
280 Creative Commons 08. Microscopic View of Electrons in Solids in One Dimension: Tight Binding Chain Lecture 8 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
281 Creative Commons 07. Microscopic View of Vibrations in Solids in One Dimension II: The Diatomic (Alternating) Harmonic Chain Lecture 7 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
282 Creative Commons 06. Microscopic View of Vibrations in Solids in One Dimension I: The Monatomic Harmonic Chain Lecture 6 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
283 Creative Commons 05. Chemistry in a Nutshell Lecture 5 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
284 Creative Commons 04. Sommerfeld (Free Electron) Theory of Electrons in Metals Lecture 4 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
285 Creative Commons 03. Drude Theory of Electrons in Metals / Sommerfeld (Free Electron) Theory of Electrons in Metals Lecture 3 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
286 Creative Commons 02. Debye Model of Vibrations in Solids; Drude Theory of Electrons in Metals Lecture 2 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
287 Creative Commons 01. Introduction to Condensed Matter; Einstein Model of Vibrations in Solids First in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
288 Oxford Astrophysics A video explaining what is Astrophysics and what's going on in Astrophysics at Oxford Chris Lintott, Roger Davies, Jo Dunkley, katherine blundell 22 Jul 2014
289 Creative Commons Plants, Photosynthesis, and Solar Energy The planet is in trouble; fossil fuels are being depleted and are contributing to global warming. Plants, however, have been directly harnessing solar energy for as long as they have existed. A flash talk from Tomas Leijtens. Tomas Leijtens 07 Jul 2014
290 Creative Commons Are we still in the dark about Dark Matter? Kathryn boast gives a flash talk discussing what we already know about dark matter, and what we still have to find out about it. Kathryn Boast 07 Jul 2014
291 Creative Commons Einstein's Greatest Blunder Albert Einstein is one of the greatest scientists to ever live, and even he made mistakes, as Luke Jew explains - A comforting thought for all of us! This great mistake was about the astrophysics that will ultimately determine how our universe will end. Luke Jew 07 Jul 2014
292 Creative Commons The Hare and the Tortoise A flash talk given by Liam Brannigan about "Connecting the fast and slow parts of the climate system through the stormy upper ocean. " Liam Brannigan 07 Jul 2014
293 Creative Commons Quantum Measurement and Control: How to Roll a Six Everytime In this flash talk Wojciech Kozlowski discusses the bizarre properties of measurement and how we can harness its probabilistic nature to produce results. Wojciech Kozlowski 07 Jul 2014
294 Space - The Ultimate Laboratory What can space teach us about the laws of physics? Space is huge and complicated. This is a challenge, but also gives us the ultimate physics lab. Francesca Day explores this further. Francesca Day 07 Jul 2014
295 Creative Commons How the Universe Evolved From Smooth to Lumpy -- the Physics of Galaxy Formation The 2014 Halley Lecture delivered by Professor Eliot Quataert Eliot Quataert 13 Jun 2014
296 Creative Commons Churchill, Oxford physicists and the Bomb Physics Colloquium 30th May delivered by Graham Farmelo Graham Farmelo 11 Jun 2014
297 Creative Commons PT-symmetric Quantum Mechanics Physics Colloquium 23rd May Delivered by Professor Carl M. Bender Carl Bender 02 Jun 2014
298 Creative Commons Galaxies and the Intergalactic Medium 10th Dennis Sciama Memorial Lecture by Prof. James Binney. James Binney 22 May 2014
299 Creative Commons Turning in the Widening Gyre: Accretion Processes in the Universe Inaugural Lecture by Professor Steven Balbus looking at the history of the universe Steven Balbus 07 Apr 2014
300 Creative Commons Lorenz Gödel and Penrose: new perspectives on determinism and unpredictability, from fundamental physics to the science of climate change The 9th Dennis Sciama Memorial Lecture, looking at chaos theory and climate change Tim Palmer 07 Apr 2014