Cosmologist Lawrence Krauss to Present Talk on Origins of the Universe

Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, communications assistant; tele: (413) 597-4277; email: [email protected]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., January 22, 2013—Lawrence M. Krauss, Foundation Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration in the Department of Physics at Arizona State University, will speak at Williams College on Tuesday, Feb. 5. The talk, titled “A Universe from Nothing,” will take place at 7 p.m. in Bronfman Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

In his talk, Krauss will discuss the question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?” and the recent scientific advances that provide new insight into this cosmological mystery. Developments in cosmology and particle physics over the last couple of decades have led scientists to conclude that not only is it possible for the universe to arise from nothing, but also highly likely that it did. The lecture will present how such discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of the origin and future of the universe, as well as the very concepts of nothing and something.

Krauss’ research fields include the early universe, neutrino astrophysics, dark matter, and quantum field theory. As a public intellectual, he also devotes his time to science education and public policy and serves as director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University. He has written more than 300 scientific publications and nine books, including international bestsellers, The Physics of Star Trek (1995) and A Universe From Nothing (2012). Krauss previously served as a professor at Yale University and as professor and chair of the physics department at Case Western Reserve University. He has won numerous accolades for both his research and efforts in science education, including the 2004 Oersted Medal from the American Association of Physics Teachers and the 2001 Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize from the American Physical Society.

Krauss received his B.S. in mathematics and physics from Carleton University in 1977 and a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1982.

This event is sponsored by the Gaudino Fund, the Oakley Center, the Lecture Committee, the Bronfman Science Center, the President’s Office, and the Departments of Astronomy, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, and Religion.

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