- local
- FREE
The 2026 Einstein Lecture - Does God Play Dice?
- - (AEST)
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Warners Bay Theatre
26 Lake Street, Warners Bay, NSW 2282, Australia
Albert Einstein famously wrote to fellow physicist Max Born: “I, at any rate, am convinced that God is not playing at dice.” A century later, scientists regularly invoke chance and randomness to explain the natural world. What does this mean? Has physics resolved whether the universe fundamentally operates by chance? This talk explores these deep questions at the intersection of physics, cosmology, and philosophy.
About the Speaker:
Dr Luke A. Barnes is a theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and Senior Lecturer in Physics at Western Sydney University. He received his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge in 2009 and is a John Templeton Fellow. His research focuses on cosmology, galaxy formation, and the fine-tuning of the universe for life. Dr Barnes has contributed to the philosophy of science, particularly in examining how multiverse theories can be tested using probability. He is the co-author (with Professor Geraint Lewis) of A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely-Tuned Cosmos and The Cosmic Revolutionary’s Handbook, both published by Cambridge University Press.
The Einstein Lecture is an annual public event in NSW that showcases world-leading experts and explores topics inspired by Einstein’s ideas and their impact on modern science and technology. Previous lectures have covered areas from quantum computing to plasma physics and astrophysics, aiming to inspire curiosity and excitement about the universe. In 2026, the Einstein Lecture is heading to the Hunter region of NSW for the first time!
