In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jácome (Jay) Armas, a theoretical physicist who works at the Niels Bohr Institute (University of Copenhagen) and the University of Amsterdam.

We spend time on the concept of emergence: how complex behaviour can arise from simple underlying rules in ways you couldn't predict just by looking at the components. Dr. Armas connects this to everything from physics to biology to social systems.

The conversation also covers string theory and why some physicists moved from thinking about particles as points to viewing them as strings. We also get into why gravity is so hard to study at small scales and what we really know about black holes.

And what a surprising pub quiz question Jay prepared for us!

USEFUL LINKS

More about Jay Armas: https://jacomearmas.org/

Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen: https://nbi.ku.dk/english/

University of Amsterdam: https://www.uva.nl/en

Institute of Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam: https://ias.uva.nl/research-themes/foundations-and-methods/emergence/emergent-phenomena.html

Science and Cocktails: http://www.scienceandcocktails.org/

Jay Armas' book about quantum gravity: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/conversations-on-quantum-gravity/09DF54D24DE7477F6459432540121B28

RELATED EPISODES

Thermodynamics and Chemical Engines with Prof. Massimiliano Esposito and Dr. Emanuele Penocchio: https://www.scilux.eu/episodes/thermodynamics

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Migration remains one of the most contentious and emotionally charged issues of our time. In this episode, we explore the evidence behind the debates with Catia Batista, Professor of Economics at Nova School of Business and Economics and Director of the Nova Africa Research Center. Professor Batista recently served as a visiting professor at LISER through the FNR's INTER Mobility programme.

Professor Batista reframes migration as fundamentally about human well-being rather than mere statistics and border policies. Drawing on her extensive research, she challenges conventional wisdom on "brain drain" – the emigration of highly skilled workers from developing countries. Her findings reveal a paradox: the possibility of migration actually incentivizes greater educational investment at home, potentially creating a "brain gain" that benefits sending countries even after accounting for emigration losses.

The conversation underscores the critical role of rigorous, evidence-based research in shaping migration policy. In an era where populist narratives and fear-driven rhetoric dominate political discourse, Professor Batista argues that researchers must strive to provide nuanced, data-driven insights that capture the complex realities of human mobility.

USEFUL LINKS

More about Prof. Catia Batista - https://catiabatista.org/

Nova School of Business and Economics - https://www.novasbe.unl.pt/en/

NOVAFRICA - https://novafrica.org/

LISER - https://www.liser.lu/

FNR's INTER Mobility programme - https://www.fnr.lu/funding-instruments/inter-mobility/

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Did you know that if you go down to nanoscale, the features of materials change completely? For example gold can have a completely different colour. It's not only aestheric, it can have profound implications in the material's applications.

Want to be surprised even more? Listen to the first episode in our new 6th season in which we discuss nanomaterials with Prof. Katarzyna Siuzdak.

Join us as we explore the transformative potential of nanotechnology and the exciting future it promises in energy and health. Tune in now!

USEFUL LINKS

Katarzyna Siuzdak on IMP PAN - https://www.imp.gda.pl/en/research-centres/o3/o3z5/staff/?tx_wecstaffdirectory_pi1[curstaff]=478

Katarzyna Siuzdak on Instagram (in Polish) - https://www.instagram.com/science_mission/

Website of Science Mission (in Polish) - https://science-mission.pl/

jingle track (get it) provided by mobygratis.