Our 60-minute masterclasses are designed to help you challenge, inspect and understand the world around you. Each class will give you access to a renowned expert or thought-leader from the realm of science, politics, culture, history, academia or business. Expect to gain sharp and concise insights to help you connect with the topic on a deeper level.

Have you ever wondered how life came to be? This is a question that has enthralled scientists, physicists and philosophers throughout history and yet remains a mystery. While advances in science and technology have furthered our knowledge and understanding, it is the desire to ask questions, to delve deeper into the unknown, that propels new discoveries.

In this masterclass, the acclaimed theoretical physicist and science writer Lawrence Krauss will explore the main theories of the origins of life and how it subsequently evolved into the complex forms we see today. He will shed light on how the basic principles of physics have shaped our understanding, and will ask if life exists elsewhere in the universe and, if so, what we might expect to find.

Course content

The origins of life and the physics of the universe
From RNA to DNA
Are we alone?
The future of life in the universe
Q&A

Tutor profile

Lawrence Krauss is an internationally known, award-winning theoretical physicist and the author of the New York Times bestselling books, The Physics of Star Trek and A Universe from Nothing, and, most recently, The Physics of Climate Change. He has made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe and has received numerous awards for his research and writing. He is currently President of the Origins Project Foundation and host of The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss.

Laurence’s new book The Known Unknowns: The Unsolved Mysteries of the Cosmos is available to purchase in hardback from the Guardian Bookshop. If you are in the UK, you can purchase a book and ticket for the special discounted price of £50.20 including P&P.

Course Details

Date: Thursday 15 June 2023
Time: 1pm-2pm (BST)

A catch up recording will be shared after the class and will be available for two weeks.

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

1pm BST | 2pm CEST | 5am PDT | 8am EDT

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

We aim to make all Guardian Masterclasses fully accessible. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

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Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.

60-minute masterclass: Origins of life in the universe with Lawrence Krauss