Einstein's theory of gravity, general relativity, changed the way we think about our universe, showing that gravity is not simply a force pulling objects together, but a bending of space and time itself. More than a century after it was first proposed, the theory continues to explain fascinating phenomena such as the expansion of our universe, and the observation on Earth of gravitational waves emitted by black hole mergers.
In this talk Dr Zoe Wyatt will provide a lay introduction to some key ideas behind general relativity before highlighting some recent advances in her research field of mathematical general relativity, where mathematicians use tools in analysis and partial differential equations (our baking ingredients!) to improve our understanding of Einstein’s theory.
About the speaker
Dr Zoe Wyatt is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, and College Lecturer at Murray Edwards College. Her research concerns the analysis of partial differential equations that are used in mathematical physics, and lies at the intersection of general relativity, differential geometry and nonlinear PDEs. She particularly focusses on the mathematical properties of solutions to the Einstein equations of general relativity.
How to book
This event is part of the University of Cambridge's 2026 Alumni Festival. For more information and to book your place please see the Alumni Festival website.
Image: black hole and its vicinity. Credit: EHT Collaboration.