On Tuesday 23rd April, the Club was delighted to welcome a very special guest speaker back to the Club, Professor Brian Cox CBE FRS. Following his sell-out member events in previous years, once again Professor Cox, Professor of Particle Physics at Manchester University and best known as one of the UK’s foremost scientists, writers, and presenters on Cosmology, enlightened a packed Sovereigns’ Room - vividly bringing his accessible and entertaining brand of science to life. 

The evening was a huge success, after the delicious four course Club Dinner members and guests were privileged to hear Prof Cox’s thoughts on such varied topics as the future of space exploration, the formation of black holes and how scientists test for life on Mars. Following the talk, Professor Cox then answered as many questions as possible in a lively Q&A. 

Professor Brian Cox CBE FRS began his career not as a physicist but as a rock star, touring with his band Dare and supporting the likes of Jimmy Page, Gary Moore and Europe before breaking up in 1992. Brian then joined D’Ream, whose song ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ was famously used by Tony Blair as the Labour Party election song in 1997. During the D’Ream years, Brian obtained a first class honours degree in physics from the University of Manchester and a PhD in High Energy Particle Physics at the DESY laboratory in Hamburg. In 2009, Brian became Professor of Particle Physics. In 2015, he became The Royal Society’s Professor for Public Engagement in Science and in 2016 became a Fellow of the Royal Society. 

Brian has received numerous awards for his work in publicising science. Already a Fellow of the International Explorers Club, in 2006 he received the prestigious British Association Lord Kelvin award for his work in promoting science to the public. In October 2010, Brian visited Buckingham Palace to collect his OBE for his work in science. As well as influencing young people in the UK, his talks have inspired many audiences around the globe. 

The physicist, writer and presenter has co-presented BBC2's 'Wonders of the Solar System', 'Wonders of the Universe' and the live astronomy strand 'Stargazing Live'. He also co-hosts Radio 4's comedy science programme 'The Infinite Monkey Cage' with Robin Ince. 

As an author, Brian’s books include ‘Universal: A Guide to the Cosmos’ (Penguin, 2016), ‘Why Does E=mc2?’ (DaCapo 2009), ‘Quantum Universe: Anything that Can Happen Does’ (Penguin 2011) and ‘Forces of Nature’, ‘Wonders of the Solar System’, ‘Wonders of the Universe’, ‘Wonders of Life’ and ‘Human Universe’ (HarperCollins) based on his hit BBC programme. 

A huge thank you to Professor Cox for an unforgettable event, another highlight of the Club’s Social Calendar. 

To purchase the images from the event please click HERE. The password for the gallery is RAF.