For over 200 years, ‘black holes’ have remained an obscure idea - the stuff of abstract thought experiment and ultimately, science fiction.

Today, their existence has been confirmed experimentally through spectacular accomplishments in engineering, mathematics and physics. The first discovery of light and gravitational waves from a cosmic source in August 2017, heralded the birth of a new era in real-time, multi-messenger astrophysics.

During her Inaugural Lecture, Professor Carole Mundell will give a brief explanation of black holes, their importance for galaxy evolution and the cataclysmic death of massive stars. She will also talk about the role of magnetic fields in powering energetic explosions, as well as the development of robotic and autonomous systems to open new windows on the black hole driven dynamic Universe in real time.

Carole is an observational astronomer and will touch on new ideas for black hole experiments in terrestrial laboratories and take a look ahead to the next decade of discoveries and challenges.