Queen's Lecture 2025

For thousands of years, humans have been preoccupied with two fundamental questions: Where do we come from? And are we alone in the universe? Today, space exploration is bringing us closer than ever to the answers, while driving technological innovations that are changing our lives on Earth. How exactly – that is explained by this year's speaker, Professor Adam Amara.

In his lecture, Professor Amara first takes a look at the ambitious programmes of ESA and NASA, before focusing on two pioneering projects: Euclid, which after two decades of preparation is now delivering its first data and mapping the geometry of the universe to unravel the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy; and the Habitable Worlds Observatory, NASA's next major flagship mission, which will search for signs of life on distant exoplanets. These missions require groundbreaking developments in optics, detector technology and data science – technologies whose impact extends far beyond astronomy. 

Adam Amara, renowned astrophysicist and Director of Space Strategy and Head of the School of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Surrey, was recently appointed Chief Scientist at the UK Space Agency. In this role, he provides independent expert advice and strategic guidance in areas such as astronomy, astrophysics, planetology, solar science, space weather, lunar and Mars science, and Earth and climate science.

The Queen’s Lecture Series has a long tradition: it was established during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Berlin on 27 May 1965 as a gift from the British people to the City of Berlin. With Adam Amara’s lecture, the series proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary and continues to bring leading thinkers to the city. Join us for this special occasion.