Jim Al-Khalili

Jim Al-Khalili

Jim Al-Khalili

Jim is a multiple award-winning science communicator renowned for his public engagement around the world through writing and broadcasting and a leading academic making fundamental contributions to theoretical physics, particularly in nuclear reaction theory, quantum effects in biology, open quantum systems and the foundations of quantum mechanics.

Jim is a theoretical physicist at the University of Surrey where he holds a Distinguished Chair in physics as well as a university chair in the public engagement in science. He received his PhD in nuclear reaction theory in 1989 and has published widely in the field. His current interest is in open quantum systems and the application of quantum mechanics in biology.

A digital, wireframe illustration of a DNA double helix strand is displayed against a black background, evoking concepts from quantum biology.
Are physicists about to decode a mysterious field of science that could have huge implications for your health?
John Templeton Foundation
A black and white spiral clock with distorted numbers on a dark textured background, evoking the science of time and creating an illusion of time twisting inward.
4 min
Is this video four minutes long? Not necessarily.
John Templeton Foundation
A black and white painting of a man with wavy hair, a mustache, and a suit, depicted in a semi-realistic style, evokes the thoughtful air of someone pondering an interpretation of quantum mechanics.
5 min
Our world would be impossible without quantum mechanics — but we still don’t have a narrative of how it works.
John Templeton Foundation
Close-up of a pencil and charcoal drawing showing a detailed human eye on the left side, with textured shading and geometric shapes in the background—capturing the beauty found where science fails to explain human perception.
6 min
Why are we here? What is everything made of? This theoretical physicist says science isn’t the right way to answer these questions.
John Templeton Foundation