The Stoner Colloquium 2026

The School of Physics and Astronomy are delighted to host Professor Frank Verstraete and Céline Broeckaert for the Stoner Colloquium 2026.

About the colloquium 

Frank is a Professor of Quantum Physics at the University of Cambridge, and his wife Céline, an actress and author. Frank and Céline will be joining us to give a talk on:

100 years of Quantum Mechanics

2025 marks the centennial of quantum physics. No theory of physics has ever had such spectacular success. From ignorance about the structure of matter, quantum mechanics has brought us, in less than a century, to an understanding so broad, powerful, and precise that virtually all contemporary technology relies on it. The theory has enabled us to make sense of phenomena far beyond anything technology has yet been able to exploit. And all this, despite the fact that nobody truly understands quantum physics. In this Stoner Colloquium, the husband-and-wife duo Frank Verstraete (Leigh Trapnell Professor of Quantum Physics at the University of Cambridge) and Céline Broeckaert (author and playwright) tell the story of quantum mechanics and demystify this essential branch of science. Together, they unravel the reasons the universe behaves in its weird ways – and just why it’s so important to understand them.

Book your place

The lecture will take place in the Michael Sadler Building at the University of Leeds, with the colloquium commencing at 5.30pm in the Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre (LG.X04) and the drinks reception commencing at 6:30pm at the Michael Sadler Foyer.

Booking is required to attend this event – you can do so at our dedicated ticket portal.

If you have any questions please contact Physics.Research@leeds.ac.uk.