School of Physics & Astronomy

Colloquia & Seminars

A group of students enjoying a lecture

General information

Colloquia and seminars will usually be held in Kelvin Building, Room 312 on Wednesdays at 2.00pm (unless otherwise stated). Come One, Come All!

You can view the upcoming (and past) colloquia talks on the Events Management System, and you can also subscribe to calendar updates via RSS or iCal. Coordinated with the colloquia at the Department of Physics of the University of Strathclyde. 

Questions? Comments? Speaker suggestions?

Please use the dedicated contacts below:

Colloquia:
Dr Adetunmise Dada (Adetunmise.Dada@glasgow.ac.uk)
Kelvin Building, Room 157C, Ext 6429

Internal seminars: 
Dr Giulio Butera (Salvatore.Butera@glasgow.ac.uk)
Kelvin Building, Room 521

Schedule of upcoming talks

§ Internal seminar         ‡ Outside of regular schedule. 

14/10/26 • John Baez (California/Edinburgh) • TBC

Prof. John Baez (University of California, Riverside / University of Edinburgh) •  Wednesday, October 14, 2:00 PM • Kelvin Building, Room 312 TBC

Title TBC

Abstract TBC

 

28/10/26 • Andrea Jimenez Dalmaroni (Cardiff) • Towards a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive physics education

Dr  Andrea Jimenez Dalmaroni (University of Cardiff) • Wednesday, October 28, 2:00 PM • Kelvin Building, Room 312

Towards a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive physics education: from collaborative exams to interactive lectures

Abstract: Collaborative exams not only can measure the previously gained learning, but also can be an optimal opportunity to produce new learning while reducing exam anxiety. We developed an inclusive approach for collaborative exams  adjusting the design to the individual learning requirements of the students. In addition, we encouraged students to become active participants in the exam format by incorporating student-generated content. This presentation discusses the outcomes on the student’s learning experience, the students’ perception on the assessment design, and the gains in self-efficacy and self-regulated learning within the framework of an active learning intermediate-level optics course.
 
Bio:

Andrea obtained her DPhil in Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford. After an extensive career in biophysics, her main interests are on the field of science education, focusing on innovation and research in alternative forms of assessments, employability and the use of technologies in physics education. She is a Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy and has been a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University (2016), Stanford University (2017), and a Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2018 and 2019). 

Andrea has been leading STEM education initiatives at UK-scale since 2017, such as the IOP/Royal Society Physics Education for the 21st Century Conference series and the Active Futures in STEM Education workshop, supporting cohorts of staff in applying evidence-based education innovation with confidence. Her work earned her a 2021 UCL Provost Education Award in the category Education Success for All and the Cardiff University Excellence Award in Teaching and Scholarship 2021.

11/11/26 • David Fairhurst (Edinburgh) • Title TBC

Dr David Fairhurst (University of Edinburgh) • Wednesday, November 11, 2:00 PM • Kelvin Building, Room 312

Title TBC

Abstract TBC

25/11/26 • Laurence Wilson (York) • Title TBC

Dr Laurence Wilson (University of York) • Wednesday, November 25, 2:00 PM • Kelvin Building, Room 312

Title TBC

Abstract TBC

20/01/27 • Jan-Michael Rost (MPI PKS) • Title TBC

20/01/27 • Jan-Michael Rost (MPI PKS) • Title TBC

Prof Jan-Michael Rost (Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems) • Wednesday, January 20, 2:00 PM • Kelvin Building, Room 312

Title TBC

Abstract TBC

03/02/27 • Amanda Foust (Imperial) • Title TBC

Dr Amanda Foust (Imperial College London) • Wednesday, February 3, 2:00 PM • Kelvin Building, Room 312

Title TBC

Abstract TBC

17/02/27 • Dan Watts (York) • Title TBC

17/02/27 • Dan Watts (York) • Title TBC

Prof Dan Watts (University of York) • Wednesday, February 17, 2:00 PM • Kelvin Building, Room 312

Title TBC

Abstract TBC

Video Highlights

Colloquium: Exploring the computational universe

Colloquium: Exploring the computational universe

Watch Stephen Wolfram, Founder & CEO of Wolfram Research and creator of Mathematica, present his latest work on a new approach to fundamental physics, viewing the universe as an emergent computation governed by underlying rules.

Past talks

§ Internal seminar         ‡ Outside of regular schedule. 

27/05/26 • Eugene Polzik (Copenhagen) • Quantum Sensing of Fields and Forces

Prof. Eugene Polzik (Niels Bohr institute Copenhagen) • Wednesday, May 27, 2:00 PM • Kelvin Building, Room 312

Quantum Sensing of Fields and Forces

Studies of extreme cases within quantum mechanics have always been particularly attractive. How macroscopic can objects be and still demonstrate unique quantum features, such as entanglement? What are the real limits of measurement precision in quantum mechanics? I will review our experiments where macroscopic objects are driven deep into the quantum regime. Observation of a quantum trajectory in a quantum reference frame with, in principle, unlimited accuracy will be presented. A concept of a reference frame with an effective negative mass required for such observation will be introduced. Sensing of magnetic fields and of mechanical motion beyond standard quantum limits of sensitivity using this concept will be presented. Application of those ideas to gravitational wave detection and magnetic field sensing will be reported.

 

References

  • Hybrid quantum network for sensing in the acoustic frequency range. Novikov et al. Nature 643, 955 (2025).
  • Entanglement-enhanced magnetic induction tomography. W. Zheng, H. Wang, R. Schmieg, A. Oesterle and E. S. Polzik. Phys. Rev. Lett. (2023) 130, 203602.
  • Entanglement between Distant Macroscopic Mechanical and Spin Systems. Thomas et al. Nature Physics 17, 228–233(2021).