The Symphony of the Universe — 2025 Sussex Universe Christmas Lecture

This December, join us for a special Christmas edition of Sussex Universe! Dr Eva-Maria Mueller takes us on a journey from the fiery beginnings of the Universe to the mysterious forces shaping its future. With stunning visuals, big ideas, and wonder for all ages, this talk is perfect for families, children, students, and anyone curious about the cosmos.

What’s the talk about?

From its fiery beginnings to the vast cosmic web threading through space today, the Universe has evolved through cycles of expansion, cooling, and transformation. Over billions of years, matter gathered, stars burned and fell silent, and space itself continued to stretch to a changing tempo. As structure emerged, another influence began to take the lead: dark energy, driving the Universe’s expansion ever faster and altering its rhythm in ways we are only beginning to understand.

This talk follows the themes that shape our cosmic story, exploring the rise of structure, the fading of light, and the mysterious acceleration driven by dark energy — all presented in a way that is engaging for adults and children alike, offering a fun and festive way to discover the wonders of the Universe together.

About the Speaker

Dr Eva-Maria Mueller is an Ernest Rutherford Fellow and lecturer at the University of Sussex, exploring the large-scale structure of the Universe and the mysterious force known as dark energy. She previously held research fellowships at the University of Portsmouth and the University of Oxford, and earned her PhD from Cornell University. Passionate about sharing the wonders of the cosmos, Eva-Maria brings the story of the Universe to life for audiences of all ages.

Tickets

Admission is FREE — to avoid missing out on this festive event, we highly recommend reserving your place in advance, though drop-ins are also welcome subject to space.

Directions:

You can find directions to the campus here and a detailed campus map here.

To help make this event as accessible as possible, we encourage visitors to use public transport where feasible, as parking on campus is limited. For those who plan to arrive by car (or sleigh!), parking is available but must be paid for via the PaybyPhone app. Information can be found here.

Accessibility & Contact

For accessibility queries or support, please contact:
Kellie Powney, Research Projects Officer — kp459@sussex.ac.uk