Three Nobels. One Stage.

Discovery, Curiosity and the Future of Science

An exceptional evening with three Nobel Prize laureates

The Australian National University, in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland, invites the community to a distinguished public lecture featuring three respected scientific leaders. Bringing together Nobel Laureates in medicine and physics, this event celebrates discovery, curiosity and the future of science.

This public lecture will explore the ideas, discoveries and experiences that underpin world-leading research, including:

Scientific breakthroughs and their impact on society
Curiosity, collaboration and discovery across disciplines
Lessons from research careers at the highest level
The role of science in addressing global challenges

Professor Rolf Zinkernagel AC & Professor Peter Doherty AC

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1996)

Professor Zinkernagel is internationally recognised for his seminal contributions to immunology, transforming scientific understanding of how the immune system detects and responds to infection. Professor Doherty is one of Australia’s most distinguished scientists, widely known for his discoveries in immunology and his leadership in science communication and public engagement.

Professor Zinkernagel and Professor Doherty shared the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries concerning the specificity of cell-mediated immune defense.

They carried out their revolutionary work in immunology together at the ANU John Curtin School of Medical Research.

Professor Zinkernagel is currently Professor of Experimental Immunology at the University of Zurich. Professor Doherty is currently Laureate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne and Chairman of the Department of Immunology at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

Professor Brian Schmidt AC FAA FRS

Nobel Prize in Physics (2011)

Professor Schmidt is a leading astrophysicist whose work on the accelerating expansion of the universe has reshaped modern cosmology. He is also a prominent advocate for research excellence and evidence-based policy.

Professor Schmidt shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics with Saul Perlmutter and Adam Riess for their discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe through observations of distant supernovae. While studying supernovae, their research determined how these stellar explosions moved, leading to the groundbreaking discovery that the universe is expanding at an ever-increasing rate. This finding shocked the astrophysics community, as it was previously believed that the expansion of the universe would slow due to opposing gravitational forces.

The three Noble laureates will be in conversation with Natasha Mitchell.

Natasha Mitchell is an ANU Alumna and multi-award-winning ABC journalist, radio presenter, podcaster, and documentary maker. She is host of ABC Radio National's flagship live events program Big Ideas. Natasha was the founding host and producer of the blockbuster radio show and one of the ABC's first podcasts All in the Mind for a decade, hosted the ABC's daily social affairs program Life Matters, and was founding host and producer of the culture and science show, Science Friction, awarded Best Science and Medicine podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards.

Whether you are a student, educator, researcher, or simply curious about the world, this lecture promises an unforgettable experience.

The lecture is designed for a broad audience and reflects the University’s commitment to research excellence, education and community engagement.

Additional information:

Registration is required for this event.

Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

By registering for this event, you are accepting our privacy policy.

A video will be made available on ANU TV after the event.

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