NEW in Toronto: The Hidden Architects of the Cosmos

Brains and Barstools brings captivating professors to bars in Canada for vivid lectures that spark curiosity and connection over drinks. To mark 1 year of Brains and Barstools, we're bringing back some of our popular lectures that sold out within minutes earlier in the year. On November 10th, we present : "The Hidden Architects of the Cosmos" by Prof. Renée Hložek, PhD. The Universe began as a hot, dense cosmic fireball. One day, it may end cold, dark, and nearly empty. Between those two extremes lies one of the greatest scientific stories ever told. In this captivating talk, Renée Hložek takes us through the life of the Universe - from the Big Bang to its possible final fate - and introduces the mysterious forces shaping everything in between. You’ll meet some of the hidden components of the cosmos, including Dark Matter, the unseen substance that helps hold galaxies together, and Dark Energy, the strange force driving the accelerating expansion of space itself. Along the way, Prof. Hložek will dispel common misconceptions about the birth of the Universe and explain how scientists use next-generation telescopes to uncover its deepest secrets. Using data from cutting-edge observatories in Chile, researchers are learning what the Universe is made of, how it evolved, and where it may be heading. Expect a fun, accessible evening of awe-inspiring science, big questions, and the kind of perspective only cosmology can provide. 💡 About the gifted Professor Renée Hložek Renée Hložek is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, where she studies theoretical and observational cosmology. She earned her DPhil from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and was later a Lyman Spitzer Jr. Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University. Her research uses data from the Simons Observatory and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Prof. Hložek has received numerous honours, including the 2024 Rutherford Memorial Medal, the 2025 Arthur McDonald Award, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal for science outreach and communication. 📅 Date: November 10th, 2026 🕡 Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM 📍 Location: Black Lab Brewing 🎤 Speaker: Professor Renée Hložek, PhD. 🎟 Seats are limited!