Peter Fader
Frances & Pei-Yuan Chia Professor of Marketing, Wharton | World's Foremost CLV Expert | Co-Founder, Theta & Incompass Labs | Author, Customer Centricity
Brian Schmidt
2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics | Distinguished Professor, ANU | Discoverer of Dark Energy | Vice Chair, Giant Magellan Telescope
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 the worlds of frontier science and real-world leadership. Audiences gain rare perspective on uncertainty, discovery, and the evidence-based thinking that shapes the future.
Want to book Brian Schmidt as a speaker for your event? Please provide the info below and we’ll get in touch within 24h:
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, 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. That discovery, made by analyzing the brightness and redshift of distant Type Ia supernovae, implied the existence of dark energy: a mysterious repulsive force that accounts for roughly 70% of the total mass-energy content of the universe. It is one of the most consequential scientific findings of the 20th century.
Schmidt earned his 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, leading the group from Australia to their Nobel-winning results. His work across astronomy has spanned supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, exoplanets, gravitational wave transients, and metal-poor stars. He also led the SkyMapper telescope project from inception through to 2015 — Australia’s first dedicated sky survey telescope.
Nobel Laureate and Global Scientific Leader
For the accelerating universe discovery, Nobel Prize speaker Brian Schmidt was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics jointly with Adam Riess and Saul Perlmutter. His broader 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.
Beyond research, Schmidt served as the 12th Vice-Chancellor and President of ANU from 2016 to 2023, where he championed research investment, science policy reform, and greater inclusion in academia. He has since returned to teaching and research while serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Giant Magellan Telescope project — a $2.6 billion next-generation observatory under construction in Chile. He is also a member of Australia’s Prime Minister’s National Science and Technology Council, and a prominent public voice on science communication, climate change, and the critical role of evidence-based policy.
As a speaker, Brian Schmidt brings the rare authority of a scientist who has 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 tackle dark energy, cosmology, and the nature of scientific discovery alongside broader themes: navigating risk and uncertainty, the importance of evidence-based decision-making, building institutional trust in science, and the global competition for research leadership. Senior audiences leave with a new perspective on what humanity is capable of when curiosity and rigor combine — and what it takes to lead through complexity and disruption 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 how to handle unexpected results, challenge prevailing assumptions, and build the courage to follow where evidence leads. Essential viewing for leaders who must navigate uncertainty and make decisions when the data defies expectations.
As misinformation spreads and trust in institutions erodes, the scientific community faces a communication crisis as significant as any in history. Schmidt draws on his experience as a Nobel Laureate and former university vice-chancellor to explore 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 $2.6 billion Giant Magellan Telescope to the Square Kilometre Array, the world's most ambitious scientific infrastructure projects are also geopolitical statements about which nations and institutions want 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 your model, 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 for your event is a decision that will leave your 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 the kind of authority that is simply irreplaceable on stage. But what sets him apart is his extraordinary ability to communicate: few scientists at his level can translate one of the universe's deepest mysteries into a compelling story relevant to business leaders, policymakers, and general audiences alike. His decades of experience in institutional leadership at ANU further mean he understands organizational complexity, science funding, and long-term strategic thinking 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 that these ancient supernovae were dimmer than expected, meaning they were farther away than current models predicted. This implied that 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 a term used to describe 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 — it does not dilute as the universe expands. Current estimates suggest dark energy constitutes approximately 68–70% 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 are particularly well suited to 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.
