Professor Brian Cox

About

Professor Brian Cox

Professor Brian Cox is widely recognised as the UK’s most prominent experimental physicist. Known for his books and TV programmes that have captivated global audiences, he has been instrumental in making science engaging and accessible to millions. With his relatable and enthusiastic approach, Brian is often referred to as a ‘rock star scientist,’ a nod to his earlier career as a professional musician. He holds the position of Professor of Particle Physics at Manchester University and serves as The Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science. He is also a key figure in the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider.

Brian’s acclaimed TV series include Wonders of the Universe, The Planets, Wonders of Life, and Forces of Nature, each exploring the fundamental science behind everything from celestial bodies to atomic and biological structures. Additionally, he has presented programmes such as Stargazing, Space Hoppers, The Big Bang, and multiple editions of Horizon. His books, which accompany the Wonders of… series, have become bestsellers, along with his co-authored works Why Does E=mc2? and The Quantum Universe.

Brian’s presentations, delivered at venues ranging from TED in the US to the World Economic Forums in Davos and China, are known for their ability to engage, inform, and entertain. They feature stunning visuals from the cosmos combined with his trademark enthusiasm for science. Brian discusses the narrative of life, the universe, and everything in between, advocating that science has the potential to unite humanity in the quest to understand our shared origins and solve enduring mysteries. He delves into the work at CERN, where cutting-edge technology and engineering are employed to recreate conditions from a fraction of a nanosecond after the Big Bang, aiming to uncover the fundamental simplicity of the universe. Brian also explores topics such as black holes, which he considers the most fascinating objects in existence, and the conditions on Mars that may have supported the origin of life 3.5 billion years ago.

Unique among speakers, Brian tours internationally with his solo lecture show, Universal: Adventures In Space and Time. An International Fellow of the Explorers Club, Brian has been honoured with the prestigious Lord Kelvin Award for his efforts in promoting science to the general public. When he is not filming around the globe, he contributes to various popular and scientific journals and co-hosts Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage. This comedy and science show, co-hosted by his friend Robin Ince, addresses both significant and trivial science questions with a mix of humour and insight, featuring comedians, scientists, and celebrities both on air and on tour.