Quantum Foundations Podcast
This podcast explores the fundamental questions of quantum physics, such as what it reveals about reality and how our understanding has evolved since the time of Einstein and Schrödinger. Each episode features an interview with an active researcher, discussing topics related to their work in a way that is broadly accessible to listeners without a specialized background. The show aims to present a modern perspective on quantum theory, informed by the latest research insights.
Episodes
Subquantum physics: nonlocality, pilot-waves & breaking the Born rule with Prof Antony Valentini
Quantum theory appears to allow some kind of connection between entangled particles, but not enough to send messages. Antony Valentini argues this is a conspiracy: there must be something deeper than quantum, where nonlocality can actually be used to send messages, but it is hidden from view in standard quantum experiments. In this episode of the Quantum Foundations Podcast, Valentini uses Pilot-w
A new theory of quantum & spacetime with Prof. Gerard Milburn
What if quantum particles have no gravity? In this episode of the Quantum Foundations Podcast, Professor Gerard Milburn explains how this radical idea could solve open problems in quantum theory and lead towards a theory of quantum gravity. It comes with extreme consequences for quantum measurements; the formation of black holes; and even the beginning of the universe. From a new understanding of
Deriving probability in quantum many-worlds with Dr Tony Short
If 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 th
Solving nonlocality with fractals, chaos & counterfactuals | Prof. Tim Palmer
The 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, P
Testing quantum observers on quantum computers with Dr Will Zeng
What 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 aim
Conservation laws with Dr Chiara Marletto
Our 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
Quantum, cryptography & metacomplexity with Oxford Computer Scientist Matthew Gray
You’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 crypt
A quantum theory of time with Dr Simone Rijavec
What 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 Te
Quantum Information meets Cosmology with Dr Aditya Iyer
From 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.
Constructor Theory of Information with Dr Chiara Marletto
What 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 t
Testing Quantum Gravity & Reality with Prof. Vlatko Vedral
In 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
QBism, Relational QM & Wigner's Friend with Dr Andrea Di Biagio
I 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.
Everettian Quantum Theory with Dr Sam Kuypers
I 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.
Does quantum reality emerge from causation? Feat. Dr Nick Ormrod
I 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.
Locality in Quantum Physics Explained with Dr Nicetu Tibau Vidal
Welcome 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 pa
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