What really happened during the Big Bang? - with Niyayesh Afshordi

Astrophysicist Niayesh Afshordi explores the latest debates on the origin of our universe. Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for our Science Supporters):    • Q&A: What really happened during the Big B...   Buy Niyayesh's book 'Battle of the Big Bang: The New Tales of Our Cosmic Origins' here: https://geni.us/rk4n This lecture was recorded on 28 June 2025 at the Royal Institution. --- The Big Bang has long been accepted as the ultimate origin of our universe - but what if it’s just the beginning of the story? In this talk, astrophysicist Niayesh Afshordi will explore the fierce scientific debates over cosmic origins, revealing how modern cosmologists are rethinking the Big Bang itself. He will discuss the latest theories, including his own leading-edge research, that challenge the traditional narrative: was the Universe born from a black hole? Does time extend before the Big Bang? Could our cosmos be part of a vast multiverse or an eternal cycle of rebirth? Science is not just about equations - it’s about people, rivalries, and radical ideas. Join Niayesh and colleague Phil Halper for a journey through the evolving frontiers of cosmology and the search for the true origins of our universe. --- Niayesh Afshordi is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute in Theoretical Physics. His research challenges our fundamental understanding of the cosmos, from black holes and quantum gravity to the origins of the universe itself. His latest book is titled Battle of the Big Bang: The New Tales of Our Cosmic Origins, co-written with Phil Halper and published by the University of Chicago Press in 2025. --- The Ri is on Twitter:   / ri_science   and Facebook:   / royalinstitution   and TikTok:   / ri_science   Listen to the Ri podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... Donate to the RI and help us bring you more lectures: https://www.rigb.org/support-us/donat... Our editorial policy: https://www.rigb.org/editing-ri-talks... Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.