Neil Turok on how theoretical physics went wrong and why universities don’t encourage originality

Prof. Neil Turok is Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh and Emeritus Director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. In this event, filmed on 13 May 2026, he joins the London Institute’s chief science writer Ananyo Bhattacharya to discuss his career and where the field now stands—from unresolved puzzles in cosmology and quantum gravity to the search for new guiding principles. Rejecting current approaches such as string theory and inflation, he talks about his proposal for a simpler cosmology that makes testable predictions. Turning to the opportunities and risks posed by AI, he then focuses on what the technology means for the future practice of theoretical physics. Drawing on his experience of leading the Perimeter Institute, Prof. Turok also addresses the challenges of building and sustaining institutes for fundamental research: how to set priorities, nurture talent and create environments in which new ideas can flourish. The London Institute is Britain’s only independent, privately funded theoretical physics institute. We are building an endowment of £60m, with a lead gift of £20m already secured. To find out more see https://lims.ac.uk/e6/ London Institute for Mathematical Sciences: https://lims.ac.uk/ Cognia AI Lab: https://cognia-lab.com/ 00:00 Introduction and welcome 03:00 The universe is simpler than anyone expected. 05:11 New hope for a grand unified theory? 08:01 Turok explains his model of the universe in three minutes. 10:01 What ideas in theoretical physics need to be retired? 13:06 A falsifiable hypothesis: right-handed neutrinos are dark matter. 21:40 The B-Meson anomaly at the LHC. 22:49 “I’ve worked on several theories which have been proven wrong. And I’m very happy about that.” 23:05 Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar’s approach to doing physics. 25:14 Lessons from parents and childhood: don’t be afraid of challenging convention. 27:00 Why biology is more interesting-–and harder—than physics. 30:06 Advice to young physicists. 31:11 Why agree to run an institute? 36:27 How the Perimeter Institute began. 38:05 “Universities are organised incredibly badly in terms of encouraging truly original thinking.” 40:08 Building up the Perimeter. 42:46 What universities get wrong about doctoral training. 52:43 “If AI can do it, I’m not interested in it.” 53:24 AI is too dominated by conventional interpretations. 56:06 What sort of person will make the next big breakthrough in theoretical physics? 57:26 Rapid-fire questions: 57:54 What is the most important quality in a great theorist? 58:17 Are we living through a golden age of theoretical physics or a stagnation? 59:56 As a cosmologist, what do you think are the chances of there being intelligent life in the galaxy? 01:01:57 What question should I have asked you but didn’t? 01:03:03 “I introduced Stephen Hawking to Nelson Mandela.” 01:05:27 Audience questions. 01:16:38 Finis. Related links: Prof. Neil Turok public lecture: The Astonishing Simplicity of Everything Neil Turok Public Lecture: The Astonishing...