Thomas Kolditz
Brigadier General (Ret.) | Founding Director, Doerr Institute at Rice University | Crisis Leadership Expert | Author, In Extremis Leadership
Brian Schmidt
2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics | Distinguished Professor, ANU | Discoverer of Dark Energy | Vice Chair, Giant Magellan Telescope Board
Brian Schmidt is one of the few people alive who has fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. Co-discoverer of dark energy and 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics, he bridges frontier science and real-world leadership, drawing on years as ANU vice-chancellor and now vice chair of the Giant Magellan Telescope board. Audiences gain rare perspective on uncertainty, discovery, and the evidence-based thinking that shapes the future.
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Brian Schmidt biography
Brian Schmidt is a Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist whose research permanently changed humanity’s understanding of the cosmos. A Distinguished Professor at the Australian National University’s (ANU) Mount Stromlo Observatory and Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, keynote speaker Brian Schmidt is best known for leading the High-Z Supernova Search Team, the international collaboration whose landmark 1998 findings revealed that the expansion of the universe is not slowing down but accelerating. By analyzing the brightness and redshift of distant Type Ia supernovae, the team inferred the existence of dark energy, a repulsive force that accounts for roughly 70% of the mass-energy content of the universe and one of the most consequential scientific findings of the twentieth century.
Schmidt earned bachelor’s degrees in physics and astronomy from the University of Arizona and completed his master’s and PhD in astronomy at Harvard University in 1993. He formed the High-Z Supernova Search Team in 1994 alongside Nicholas Suntzeff and led the group from Australia to its Nobel-winning result. His research has ranged across supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, exoplanets, gravitational-wave transients, and metal-poor stars, and he led the SkyMapper project, Australia’s first dedicated sky-survey telescope, through 2015.
Nobel Laureate and Global Scientific Leader
For the accelerating-universe discovery, Nobel Prize speaker Brian Schmidt shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics with Adam Riess and Saul Perlmutter. His wider recognition includes the Shaw Prize in Astronomy, the Gruber Prize in Cosmology, the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, and a Companion of the Order of Australia. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Australian Academy of Science, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences.
Schmidt served as the twelfth Vice-Chancellor and President of ANU from 2016 to 2023, where he championed research investment and science-policy reform before returning to teaching and research. He was elected Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Giant Magellan Telescope, the US$2.6 billion next-generation observatory under construction in Chile and expected to begin operations in the early 2030s. He also sits on Australia’s Prime Minister’s National Science and Technology Council and is a prominent public voice on science communication, climate change, and evidence-based policy.
As a speaker, Brian Schmidt brings the rare authority of a scientist who made a discovery that rewrote the textbooks, and who has spent decades translating frontier science into terms that matter for business, policy, and society. His keynotes cover dark energy, cosmology, and the nature of scientific discovery alongside broader themes: navigating risk and uncertainty, evidence-based decision-making, building institutional trust in science, and the global competition for research leadership. Senior audiences leave with a fresh sense of what humanity can achieve when curiosity and rigor combine, and what it takes to lead through complexity at a civilizational scale.
Brian Schmidt Speaking Videos
Nobel Laureate in physics Brian P. Schmidt – Nobel Lectures in Uppsala 2011
Why is the Universe accelerating? Nobel Laureate Brian Schmidt explains
Brian Schmidt Keynote Topics
Schmidt recounts one of the most stunning moments in modern science, when his team's data showed the universe was not slowing down but speeding up. Beyond cosmology, this keynote is a masterclass in handling unexpected results, challenging prevailing assumptions, and building the courage to follow where evidence leads. Essential for leaders who must navigate uncertainty and decide when the data defies expectations.
As misinformation spreads and trust in institutions erodes, the scientific community faces a communication crisis as serious as any in its history. Drawing on his experience as a Nobel Laureate and former university vice-chancellor, Schmidt explores how scientists, leaders, and institutions can rebuild credibility, communicate risk honestly, and make the case for evidence-based thinking in a polarized world.
From the US$2.6 billion Giant Magellan Telescope to the Square Kilometre Array, the world's most ambitious scientific infrastructure projects are also statements about which nations and institutions intend to lead the future. Schmidt takes audiences inside the race for cosmological discovery and draws out what it means for innovation strategy, international collaboration, and the long-term investment in knowledge that separates leading nations from lagging ones.
Astrophysics is a discipline defined by incomplete information, vast timescales, and the constant possibility of being profoundly wrong. In this keynote, Schmidt translates the cognitive tools of frontier science, how to quantify uncertainty, when to trust a model and when to abandon it, into a practical framework for executive decision-making in volatile, fast-changing environments.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Brian Schmidt
Why Brian Schmidt?
Booking Brian Schmidt leaves an audience with a genuinely transformed perspective on science, discovery, and the world around them. As the leader of the team that discovered the accelerating expansion of the universe, and a 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics, Schmidt brings authority that is simply irreplaceable on stage. What sets him apart is his gift for communication: few scientists at his level can turn one of the universe's deepest mysteries into a story that resonates with business leaders, policymakers, and general audiences alike. His years of institutional leadership at ANU mean he understands organizational complexity, science funding, and long-term strategy from the inside. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to secure Brian Schmidt for your next event.
What did Brian Schmidt discover to win the Nobel Prize?
Brian Schmidt led the High-Z Supernova Search Team, which in 1998 published groundbreaking evidence that the expansion of the universe is accelerating rather than slowing down. By measuring the brightness and redshift of distant Type Ia supernovae, stellar explosions of predictable luminosity used as cosmological yardsticks, Schmidt and his team found these ancient supernovae were dimmer than expected, meaning they were farther away than models predicted. This implied a previously unknown repulsive force, now called dark energy, is driving the universe apart at an ever-increasing rate. The discovery overturned decades of cosmological assumptions and earned Schmidt, Adam Riess, and Saul Perlmutter the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.
What is dark energy?
Dark energy is the term for the mysterious force responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. It was hypothesized following the 1998 discovery by Brian Schmidt's High-Z Supernova Search Team and independently confirmed by Saul Perlmutter's Supernova Cosmology Project. Unlike ordinary matter or dark matter, dark energy appears to be a property of space itself and does not dilute as the universe expands. Current estimates suggest it makes up roughly 68 to 70% of the total energy content of the universe. Its true nature remains one of the greatest open questions in modern physics and cosmology.
What topics does Nobel Prize speaker Brian Schmidt cover?
Brian Schmidt's keynotes span scientific discovery, the nature of evidence and uncertainty, the future of astronomy and cosmology, climate change and science policy, and the role of research institutions in shaping society. He also draws on his experience as vice-chancellor of ANU to speak on higher education, institutional leadership, and the global competition for scientific talent and funding. His talks suit audiences in science, technology, government, finance, and any sector wrestling with complexity, long-term risk, and evidence-based strategy. Reach out to Aurum Speakers Bureau to explore how Brian Schmidt can elevate your next conference or leadership event.
How to book Brian Schmidt as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Brian Schmidt as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Brian Schmidt's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Brian Schmidt or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Brian Schmidt speaking fee?
Brian Schmidt speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Brian Schmidt to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Brian Schmidt.
How can I contact Brian Schmidt?
We only work with Brian Schmidt on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Brian Schmidt and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Brian Schmidt speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Brian Schmidt for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Brian Schmidt for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Brian Schmidt is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Brian Schmidt for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
