Talks and shows

Decoding reality

Vlatko Vedral takes us into some of the deepest quantum questions about the Universe.

Ultrasound beams dissipating into the universe
Event image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

For a physicist, all the world is information, with the Universe and its workings reflecting the ebb and flow of data. We ourselves are transient patterns of information, passing on the recipe for our basic forms to future generations via a four-letter digital code called DNA. In this talk, quantum physicist Vlatko Vedral delves into some of the deepest questions about the Universe, interpreting it in terms of information. He explains the nature of information, the concept of entropy, and how these ideas are rooted in thermodynamics. Discover the bizarre effects of quantum behaviour, such as 'entanglement'—what Einstein famously referred to as 'spooky action at a distance'. Vlatko also explores the leading-edge work on harnessing quantum effects in hyperfast quantum computers and discusses recent evidence suggesting that the weirdness of the quantum world, once thought to be limited to the tiniest scales, may extend into the macro world. 

Copies of Vlatko's book 'Decoding Reality: The Universe as Quantum Information' are available to purchase online. Copies of Vlatko's other books will be available for purchase after the talk.

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 workshop please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About Vlatko Vedral

Image of Vlatko Vedral
Vlatko Vedral

Vlatko Vedral is best known for his contributions to quantum information theory, quantum mechanics, and quantum entanglement. As an active researcher, Vlatko has over 500 published, regularly cited papers to his name. This output covers a broad range of topics within quantum physics, including quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum thermodynamics. In recognition of his scholarly achievements, he was honoured with the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award in 2007. Since 2009, Vlatko has served as Professor of Quantum Information Science in the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford. Additionally, he is a Governing Body Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford.

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.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions