Shows
Quantum Foundations PodcastDeriving probability in quantum many-worlds with Dr Tony ShortIf there really is a quantum reality for every possible outcome of a measurement, then where do measurement probabilities come from? Dr Tony Short at the University of Bristol has used a set of intuitive assumptions to derive probability in a quantum multiverse. In this episode we discuss his motivations for exploring the many-worlds interpretation; what his assumptions are and how they lead to the Born rule for measurement probabilities; and how these ideas fit within the broader landscape of research in quantum foundations, probability and the many-worlds interpretation.
2026-02-191h 15Quantum Foundations PodcastSolving nonlocality with fractals, chaos & counterfactuals | Prof. Tim PalmerThe notion of true quantum nonlocality is absurd. Prof Tim Palmer from the University of Oxford suggests that there is a hidden assumption in standard quantum mechanics, and dropping it will save us from this absurdity. Namely, the reality of counterfactuals: the physics of what could have happened but did not. Inspired by chaos theory and the fractal structure widespread in atmospheric physics, Palmer has developed a new underlying structure for quantum theory, with radical implications for our fundamental principles of quantum physics; the limits of quantum computation; and perhaps even the search for quantum gravity.
2026-02-051h 24Quantum Foundations PodcastTesting quantum observers on quantum computers with Dr Will ZengWhat if you could put an observer in superposition on a quantum computer? Dr Will Zeng suggests that this experiment could stretch standard quantum theory so far that it might break — and radically update our understanding of physical reality. However, today's proof-of-principle experiments on quantum computers use single qubits to model observers. Zeng explains how a new programme of research aims to quantify "observer-ness" and conduct experiments with increasingly realistic observers, pushing quantum computers to the limits until they can run actual quantum Artificial General Intelligence experiments.
2026-01-221h 18Quantum Foundations PodcastConservation laws with Dr Chiara MarlettoOur most far-reaching principles of physics are not about what changes, but what stays the same: conservation laws. In this episode of the Quantum Foundations Podcast, Dr Chiara Marletto from the University of Oxford explains how such principles enable discovery of new physical phenomena; their central role in thermodynamics; controversies about how they hold up in quantum mechanics; and how they can be used to formulate results about future theories of physics beyond quantum.
2026-01-081h 17Quantum Foundations PodcastQuantum, cryptography & metacomplexity with Oxford Computer Scientist Matthew GrayYou’ve heard of cryptography. Perhaps quantum cryptography too. Maybe even post-quantum cryptography. But what about *quantum post-quantum cryptography*?! When this came up in conversation with Oxford Computer Scientist Matthew Gray recently, I’d never heard of it. I wanted to know more, so I invited him for a podcast. Turns out, there’s a whole world of layers to unravel linking quantum and cryptography — or even multiple worlds… In this discussion, we dip into those, and how this all relates to “metacomplexity” problems: the hardness of figuring out the hardness of a problem. Listen to this episode if you want to ex...
2025-12-101h 51
Conjecture InstituteEp 11: Maria ViolarisMaria is fellow of Conjecture Institute https://www.conjectureinstitute.org/ and physicist with her own Youtube Channel where she takes deep dives into many aspects of quantum theory - especially quantum computation. Subscribe to her channel here: / @maria_violaris
2025-11-261h 33Quantum Foundations PodcastA quantum theory of time with Dr Simone RijavecWhat if time isn’t fundamental — but emerges from quantum mechanics itself? In this episode, Dr Simone Rijavec explains how a timeless quantum universe can still give rise to the illusion of time flowing. We unpack the Wheeler–DeWitt equation, the Page–Wootters model of relational time, and how these ideas connect to the multiverse and quantum gravity. Dr Rijavec is a postdoctoral researcher at Tel Aviv University and former PhD researcher at the University of Oxford.
2025-11-191h 01
Theories of Everything with Curt JaimungalIvette Fuentes: The Breakthrough We Can Test Right NowProfessor Ivette Fuentes makes impossible physics testable, with verified predictions on the Casimir effect and quantum vacuum. Now she's building a "third way" to quantum gravity, a surprisingly simple model that changes both quantum mechanics and relativity instead of forcing one to dominate the other.
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- As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe
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2025-11-101h 09Theories of Everything with Curt JaimungalIvette Fuentes: The Breakthrough We Can Test Right NowProfessor Ivette Fuentes makes impossible physics testable, with verified predictions on the Casimir effect and quantum vacuum. Now she's building a "third way" to quantum gravity, a surprisingly simple model that changes both quantum mechanics and relativity instead of forcing one to dominate the other.
SPONSORS:
- As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe
SUPPORT:
- Support me on Substack: https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/subscribe
- Support me on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300...
2025-11-101h 09
Beyond the Bit: Quantum PathwaysThe Quantum Communicator: Balancing Research and Outreach with Maria ViolarisQuantum research is pushing boundaries — but withoutclear communication, how do we cross into the future?In this episode of Beyond the Bit: Quantum Pathways,I sat down with Maria Violaris, Quantum Physicist, Science Communicator, and Content Creator at Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC). Maria is a rare talent who proves that deep technical expertise and high-quality storytelling are a powerful "superpower."🔥 In this episode, we dive into:💎 Maria's unique hybrid role balancing advanced research like quantum error correction)with vital external communication.🧠 How making content for the public...
2025-10-3139 minTheories of Everything with Curt JaimungalDavid Deutsch: Einstein Would Fail Modern Grant ApplicationsDavid Deutsch argues that Einstein would struggle to secure modern research grants, exposing how funding systems favor incremental work over bold, fundamental ideas. He connects this bias to quantum computing, constructor theory, free will, and the role of creativity in scientific breakthroughs.- 00:00 - Einstein's Grant Application- 07:00 - Funding People, Not Projects- 12:35 - Is Physics Stagnant?- 17:34 - The "Checkbox" Problem- 26:05 - Physics vs. Math Departments- 32:42 - Fundamental vs. Foundational- 40:08 - Physicists and Philosophy- 45:44 - Why Academics Are Silent- 51:20 - The Problem of...
2025-10-062h 18Theories of Everything with Curt JaimungalDavid Deutsch: Einstein Would Fail Modern Grant ApplicationsDavid Deutsch argues that Einstein would struggle to secure modern research grants, exposing how funding systems favor incremental work over bold, fundamental ideas. He connects this bias to quantum computing, constructor theory, free will, and the role of creativity in scientific breakthroughs.- 00:00 - Einstein's Grant Application- 07:00 - Funding People, Not Projects- 12:35 - Is Physics Stagnant?- 17:34 - The "Checkbox" Problem- 26:05 - Physics vs. Math Departments- 32:42 - Fundamental vs. Foundational- 40:08 - Physicists and Philosophy- 45:44 - Why Academics Are Silent- 51:20 - The Problem of...
2025-10-062h 18
Question of the Week, from the Naked ScientistsDo recent experiments prove a quantum interpretation?Iain wants to know whether recent experiments have gotten us any closer to deciding which interpretation of quantum mechanics is most likely. This branch of physics describes the as yet unexplained interactions of very small particles. Here to help Rowan Berkley explore Iain's question is Maria Violaris, quantum research scientist and science communicator... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
2025-08-2205 min
Naked ScientistsDo recent experiments prove a quantum interpretation?Iain wants to know whether recent experiments have gotten us any closer to deciding which interpretation of quantum mechanics is most likely. This branch of physics describes the as yet unexplained interactions of very small particles. Here to help Rowan Berkley explore Iain's question is Maria Violaris, quantum research scientist and science communicator... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
2025-08-2205 minQuestion of the WeekDo recent experiments prove a quantum interpretation?Iain wants to know whether recent experiments have gotten us any closer to deciding which interpretation of quantum mechanics is most likely. This branch of physics describes the as yet unexplained interactions of very small particles. Here to help Rowan Berkley explore Iain's question is Maria Violaris, quantum research scientist and science communicator... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
2025-08-2205 minQuantum Foundations PodcastQuantum Information meets Cosmology with Dr Aditya IyerFrom the Big Bang puzzles to testing if the early universe was quantum entangled — physicist Dr Aditya Iyer, from the University of Oxford, explains how quantum phenomena are key to understanding cosmology, gravity and even how it's possible we exist at all.
2025-07-211h 40Quantum Foundations PodcastConstructor Theory of Information with Dr Chiara MarlettoWhat if we don't need quantum mechanics to express the key properties of quantum information? Join me for a deep-dive into the Constructor Theory of information with Dr Chiara Marletto, Research Fellow at the University of Oxford.
Constructor Theory is a research programme proposed by Prof. David Deutsch in 2012, and further developed by Deutsch and Marletto, and collaborators, since then. The theory aims to unify various strands of physics, and solve open problems — and the key motivation and starting point is a new conception of the laws of physics surrounding information.
In t...
2025-02-051h 07Quantum Foundations PodcastTesting Quantum Gravity & Reality with Prof. Vlatko VedralIn this episode of the Quantum Foundations Podcast, I'm joined by Professor Vlatko Vedral from the University of Oxford. We discuss modern and historic experimental proposals for testing quantum gravity. Get ready to dive deep into understanding what different proposals would *really* tell us about the nature of quantum gravity, and what problems we're up against to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity. All from the modern perspective of quantum information theory.
2025-01-281h 41Theories of Everything with Curt JaimungalA (Gentle) Introduction to Quantum Computing | Maria ViolarisIn this episode Curt Jaimungal talks with Maria Volaris, offering a gentle introduction to quantum computing. They explore quantum no‑go theorems, Schrödinger’s cat, entanglement and how these ideas shape the future of computational science.- 00:00 - Introduction- 00:59 - Maria's Background- 04:20 - Quantum No-Go Theorems- 09:55 - Schrödinger's Cat- 13:41 - Theory Independence & Loopholes- 17:21 - Uncertainty Principle (Entanglement)- 23:11 - Qubits (Quantum Bit)- 31:58 - Bell's Theorem (Quantum Entanglement)- 45:12 - Locality & Realism- 49:04 - Bell's Theorem Continued…- 01:00:06 - GHZ StatesS...
2024-12-171h 29Theories of Everything with Curt JaimungalA (Gentle) Introduction to Quantum Computing | Maria ViolarisIn this episode Curt Jaimungal talks with Maria Volaris, offering a gentle introduction to quantum computing. They explore quantum no‑go theorems, Schrödinger’s cat, entanglement and how these ideas shape the future of computational science.- 00:00 - Introduction- 00:59 - Maria's Background- 04:20 - Quantum No-Go Theorems- 09:55 - Schrödinger's Cat- 13:41 - Theory Independence & Loopholes- 17:21 - Uncertainty Principle (Entanglement)- 23:11 - Qubits (Quantum Bit)- 31:58 - Bell's Theorem (Quantum Entanglement)- 45:12 - Locality & Realism- 49:04 - Bell's Theorem Continued…- 01:00:06 - GHZ StatesS...
2024-12-171h 29Quantum Foundations PodcastQBism, Relational QM & Wigner's Friend with Dr Andrea Di BiagioI interview Dr Andrea Di Biagio, who is a postdoctoral research fellow at IQOQI Vienna. We discuss Andrea's journey through interpretations of quantum theory, including QBism, Relational Quantum Mechanics, Everettian Quantum Theory and Wigner's friend. These topics have been subjects of Andrea's past and active research, including work with Prof. Carlo Rovelli.
2024-11-241h 09Quantum Foundations PodcastEverettian Quantum Theory with Dr Sam KuypersI interview Dr Sam Kuypers, who is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Université de Montréal. We discuss the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, also known as Everettian quantum theory, which has been the subject of Sam's research including work together with Prof. David Deutsch.
2024-11-242h 18Quantum Foundations PodcastDoes quantum reality emerge from causation? Feat. Dr Nick OrmrodI interview Dr Nick Ormrod, who recently completed his DPhil at the University of Oxford and is now a post-doctoral research fellow at the Perimeter Institute in Canada. We discuss the new interpretation of quantum theory that Nick has been working on during his DPhil, with Prof. Jonathan Barrett. The key idea is that reality emerges from causal structures.
2024-11-241h 20Quantum Foundations PodcastLocality in Quantum Physics Explained with Dr Nicetu Tibau VidalWelcome to Episode 1 of my new Quantum Foundations podcast! I interview Dr Nicetu Tibau Vidal, a Research Fellow at the University of Hong Kong. We discuss locality in quantum physics, informed by Nicetu's PhD research at the University of Oxford and his ongoing work.
It is often stated that "if two particles are quantum entangled, doing something to one instantly influences a distant entangled particle." This statement is backed by Bell's Theorem, said to require sacrificing locality (distant particles can't instantly influence each other) or realism (our theories describe real aspects of the universe). In this podcast...
2024-11-242h 01
Question Field!Episode 12: Why does quantum mechanics actually make sense? (feat. Maria Violaris)In this episode, Campbell & Brian are joined by Maria Violaris in order to wade through the fuzzy world of quantum paradoxes!https://twitter.com/maria__violarishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz829XZIxXghttps://physicsworld.com/author/maria-violaris/questionfieldpod@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/questionfieldpod/www.twitter.com/questfieldpodwww.tiktok.com/@questionfieldhttps://www.youtube.com/@questionfieldpod
2023-10-231h 35