What does the universe have to do with our consciousness? From the Big Bang and mass extinctions to the evolution of human thought, our brains are not just products of the cosmos—they may also be the key to it’s self-awareness of the Universe. In this captivating talk, we’ll explore how the Universe gave rise to intelligent life, how human thought continues to push the boundaries of knowledge, and why the search for extraterrestrial life and intelligence might reveal deeper truths about our own existence. An inspiring look at our connection to the Universe—and what it means for the future of humanity.
Prof. Dr. Svetlana Berdyugina is an astrophysicist and director of the Istituto ricerche solari Aldo e Cele Daccò in Locarno. Her interdisciplinary research on the Sun, distant stars, exoplanets and alien life using polarisation of light allows us to “see” hidden phenomena in the Universe. Her international career is distinguished with prestigious appointments as professor, director and senior fellow at ETH Zurich, University of Oulu, University of Freiburg, Università della Svizzera italiana and NASA Astrobiology Institute, as well as highly competitive awards, including EURYI Award and ERC Advanced Grant, and invited presentations at international symposia, including TEDxMaui and Nobel Symposium.
