Talks and shows

Gravitational waves: Nature's secrets

Gideon Koekoek explores what secrets of Universe the gravitational waves could reveal.

Hinrich Oltmanns

Physicist and gravitational wave expert Gideon Koekoek is on a mission to demystify the complexities of physics, so that everyone can understand the revolutionary experiments being done by physicists every day.

Pioneering physics discoveries often catch the public eye, such as the discovery of gravitational waves in 2015. Curved spacetime, black holes, and the evolutionary history of the Universe speak immensely to the imagination of the general public as well as science enthusiasts, and yet physics is still perceived as a discipline only accessible for the intellectual elite. Gideon sets out to show that physics is as fun and understandable as it is tremendously exciting, and it is high time we make nature’s mysteries accessible to all.

Gideon will let us in on the secret that nature repeats the same rules over and over again, so that once we understand one case, we can understand more abstract areas too. He will prepare you to fully appreciate, and understand, the exciting discoveries that are coming our way in the next few years.

This event is in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Event type

This is a theatre only event where the speakers and audience are together in our Theatre.

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For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Gideon Koekoek

A photo of Gideon Koekoek
Gideon Koekoek

Gideon Koekoek is associate professor of physics at Maastricht University, where he is senior staff member in the department of Gravitational Waves and Fundamental Physics. He obtained his BSc, MSc, and PhD in theoretical physics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Nikhef for subatomic physics, and additionally obtained a second MSc degree in Education. Gideon spends equal time between education, research in gravitational waves and general relativity, and being outreach coordinator for the Virgo Collaboration, the Dutch Black Hole Consortium, and the Einstein Telescope Consortium. He coordinates regional, national, and international projects for public, educational, and political outreach of gravitational wave science and Einstein Telescope in particular, and is a frequently asked presenter on physics, research, and education.

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

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Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Event terms and conditions

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