2026 CAP Herzberg Memorial Public Lecture: "A Simpler Cosmology", by Dr. Neil Turok
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2026 Herzberg Memorial Public Lecture, Carleton University, Monday, June 22, 2026
Dr. Neil Turok
University of Edinburgh and Perimeter Institute
Abstract: A Simpler Cosmology
Observations of the universe on the largest and smallest accessible scales have revealed surprising simplicity. In contrast, the most popular theoretical frameworks predicted a slew of new particles, forces and dimensions on the tiniest, subatomic scales, and a chaotic multiverse on the greatest. The observations should make us reconsider our assumptions. Might there be better explanations for the basic properties of the universe? I’ll outline a new, simpler unified paradigm, based on the known laws of physics and CPT symmetry, which explains (i) the large-scale geometry of the universe and the primordial density perturbations, without inflation, (ii) the dark matter as a right handed neutrino, without any other BSM particle, (iii) why there are three generations of elementary particles, without strings. The new picture provides clues about quantum gravity, the big bang and the arrow of time as well as a potential resolution of the gauge-gravity hierarchy puzzle.
Speaker Biography: Neil Turok
Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics, University of Edinburgh and Roger Penrose Distinguished Visiting Chair, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Neil is the inaugural Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh. He was born in South Africa to activist parents in the anti-apartheid movement. After studies in Cambridge and London and appointments in California and Chicago, he was Professor of Physics at Princeton, Chair of Mathematical Physics at Cambridge and Director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada.
Neil develops and tests theories of the universe and its basic laws, from the big bang to the far future. Many of his team’s predictions have been confirmed, including correlations between the distribution of galaxies and the cosmic microwave background radiation. He has proposed a new paradigm for cosmology, connecting particles and forces to the dark matter, dark energy and primordial density variations. Its predictions will be tested in the coming decade.
In 2003, Neil founded the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), now Africa’s largest centre for postgraduate training and research in the mathematical sciences. Currently, AIMS operates 6 centres of excellence, in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Rwanda. AIMS has over 3,500 Master’s and PhD alumni. In the coming decade, AIMS plans to open 4 additional centres of excellence and to graduate 10,000 students at Master’s level and above.
For his research and for founding AIMS, Neil was awarded a TED Prize. He holds honorary doctorates from nine universities. In 2012, his book The Universe Within: From Quantum to Cosmos won Canada’s top prize for popular science writing. In 2016, he was awarded the John Torrence Tate award of the American Institute of Physics for international leadership in physics. He is an Honorary Fellow of the UK Institute of Physics and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
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https://youtu.be/koNi1XDx6ro?is=NXoNl88-GcpxviAg
2026 CAP Herzberg Memorial Public Lecture: "A Simpler Cosmology", by Dr. Neil Turok
CAPhys
2,256 views
Visit us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram (@CAPhys) or on our website (www.cap.ca)
2026 Herzberg Memorial Public Lecture, Carleton University, Monday, June 22, 2026
Dr. Neil Turok
University of Edinburgh and Perimeter Institute
Abstract: A Simpler Cosmology
Observations of the universe on the largest and smallest accessible scales have revealed surprising simplicity. In contrast, the most popular theoretical frameworks predicted a slew of new particles, forces and dimensions on the tiniest, subatomic scales, and a chaotic multiverse on the greatest. The observations should make us reconsider our assumptions. Might there be better explanations for the basic properties of the universe? I’ll outline a new, simpler unified paradigm, based on the known laws of physics and CPT symmetry, which explains (i) the large-scale geometry of the universe and the primordial density perturbations, without inflation, (ii) the dark matter as a right handed neutrino, without any other BSM particle, (iii) why there are three generations of elementary particles, without strings. The new picture provides clues about quantum gravity, the big bang and the arrow of time as well as a potential resolution of the gauge-gravity hierarchy puzzle.
Speaker Biography: Neil Turok
Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics, University of Edinburgh and Roger Penrose Distinguished Visiting Chair, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Neil is the inaugural Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh. He was born in South Africa to activist parents in the anti-apartheid movement. After studies in Cambridge and London and appointments in California and Chicago, he was Professor of Physics at Princeton, Chair of Mathematical Physics at Cambridge and Director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada.
Neil develops and tests theories of the universe and its basic laws, from the big bang to the far future. Many of his team’s predictions have been confirmed, including correlations between the distribution of galaxies and the cosmic microwave background radiation. He has proposed a new paradigm for cosmology, connecting particles and forces to the dark matter, dark energy and primordial density variations. Its predictions will be tested in the coming decade.
In 2003, Neil founded the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), now Africa’s largest centre for postgraduate training and research in the mathematical sciences. Currently, AIMS operates 6 centres of excellence, in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Rwanda. AIMS has over 3,500 Master’s and PhD alumni. In the coming decade, AIMS plans to open 4 additional centres of excellence and to graduate 10,000 students at Master’s level and above.
For his research and for founding AIMS, Neil was awarded a TED Prize. He holds honorary doctorates from nine universities. In 2012, his book The Universe Within: From Quantum to Cosmos won Canada’s top prize for popular science writing. In 2016, he was awarded the John Torrence Tate award of the American Institute of Physics for international leadership in physics. He is an Honorary Fellow of the UK Institute of Physics and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.