There is often the idea that science is a mysterious concept meant only for scientists. There seems to be a divide, an “us and them” mentality. Scientists are often seen as being unapproachable crazy geniuses. This is fundamentally incorrect. Science is amazing, beautiful, and complex, but most of all science is understandable. People sometimes say “science is not for me”, but science is for everyone. Anyone can learn about science, all you need is patience and an ample dose of curiosity. If you are curious about the universe, you’ve come to the right place.
What to expect
A lot of science, lots of knowledgable guests, hopefully some fun, and frequent images of the CMB. There’s a new livestream most Sundays at 19:00 CEST (timezone converter). You can join the conversation live on YouTube or watch along on Twitter. If you can’t wait for the next episode, check out the highlights, or the old streams on YouTube. In the accompanying blog (updated very infrequently) you can find longer explanations of some of the topics we discuss. There are also different ways you can get involved!
Where it all started
One day, long ago (August 2015), in a sleep-deprived and coffee-fuelled state, I had the idea of starting livestreaming. In my mind it was clear; this would be a place to exchange scientific knowledge in an accessible way, without assuming any background in science. A place for anyone to ask questions and learn about the wonders of the universe. As I stared into my (nearly empty) cup of coffee thinking about the universe, “Cup of Cosmology” was born. Over the last six years the show has grown and matured more than I ever expected, but the ideals behind it have stayed the same.
Objectives
- Share the wonders of the universe in an understandable, jargon-free way
- Provide a space where everyone can ask questions freely
- Demystify science and scientists
Rules
- There are no stupid questions – this is a judgement free zone
- Be kind to guests and audience members – everyone is welcome here
- Be curious – we’re all here to learn together
The face behind Cup of Cosmology
My name is Deanna C. Hooper (they/she) and I’m a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, in the Helsinki Institute of Physics. I’m a theoretical physicist; specifically I’m a cosmologist, which means I study the universe. I love being a scientist, and I love talking about the universe. If you are looking for my professional website, head over to dchooper.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the live nature of my shows, it is unavoidable that I will sometimes make mistakes. Scientists are not perfect. I will always try to point these out if I notice them. If you think I’ve said something wrong, please do get in touch by emailing me at ‘contact at cupofcosmology.com’.
Cup of Cosmology 