Join us for a rare opportunity to hear from one of the most remarkable astrophysicists of our time – a pioneer whose brilliance and advocacy continue to shape the future of science.
In this illuminating lecture, Dame Jocelyn will share the extraordinary chain of events that led to her discovery of pulsars, reveal the near misses where they were almost overlooked, and reflect on what these experiences teach us about the nature of science itself. Her reflections offer insights not just for scientists, but for anyone interested in how breakthroughs happen and how knowledge advances.
| Date: | Thursday 16 October 2025 |
| Time: | 5:45 pm for 6-7:15 pm |
| Venue: | Susan Wakil Health Building, Lecture Theatre 321, Western Ave, Camperdown, The University of Sydney |
| Registration: | Free, registration essential |
In 1967, as a graduate student in radio astronomy at Cambridge, Jocelyn Bell Burnell made one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the 20th century – she became the first person to detect pulsars, rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit beams of radiation. This accidental discovery opened up a brand-new field of astrophysics and led to her supervisor being awarded a Nobel Prize.
Since then, Dame Jocelyn has forged a career defined by both scientific brilliance and pioneering leadership. She became the first woman to serve as president of the Institute of Physics and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and has led major international projects, including the construction of the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii. A tireless advocate for diversity in science, she was instrumental in establishing the Athena Swan initiative, which continues to advance equity and inclusion across universities worldwide.
Her achievements have been recognised with many of the world’s highest honours. She has received the Royal Astronomical Society’s Gold Medal and the Royal Society’s Copley Medal, and in 2018 was awarded the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, one of the most prestigious awards in science. In a characteristically generous gesture, she donated the entire $A4.3 million prize to fund scholarships for students from under-represented groups in physics. She has also been appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and, this year, was made a Companion of Honour for her extraordinary contributions to astronomy and education.
In October 2025, Dame Jocelyn, will be presented a DSc (honoris causa) from the University of Sydney in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the field of astrophysics, her passionate advocacy of under-represented students in the STEMM disciplines and as an inspirational role model for women in science.
Main image: The Crab Nebula, as seen by the James Webb Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory (Image credit: X-ray, Chandra: NASA/CXC/SAO; Infrared, Webb: NASA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Major)
The Professor Walter Stibbs Lectureship commemorates the achievements of Professor Stibbs through an annual lecture by a distinguished astronomer of international standing.
