Emily Adlam

Dr. Emily Adlam, a philosopher of physics and researcher at Chapman University, dives into the perplexing measurement problem in quantum physics. She illuminates the controversy surrounding wavefunction collapse and the Many-Worlds interpretation, questioning our understanding of probability and empirical evidence. Adlam explores observer-dependent views and the complexities of communication in scientific practice. With a focus on how quantum concepts impact culture and the future of research, she challenges listeners to rethink the foundations of reality.

Without a sense of time, leading us from cradle to grave, our lives would make little sense. But on the most fundamental level, physicists aren't sure whether the sort of time we experience exists at all. We talk to three experts and find out if time could potentially be moving backwards as well as forwards. Featuring Sean Carroll, Homewood professor of natural philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, Emily Adlam, postdoctoral associate of the philosophy of physics at Western University and Natalia Ares, Royal Society university research fellow at the University of Oxford.This episode was presented by Miriam Frankel and produced by Hannah Fisher. Executive producers are Jo Adetunji and Gemma Ware. Social media and platform production by Alice Mason, sound design by Eloise Stevens and music by Neeta Sarl. A transcript is available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further reading: Quantum mechanics: how the future might influence the pastFour misconceptions about quantum physics