These lectures assume a level of Physics which is of at least at University Degree level.
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Inflation: An Open and Shut Case (April '98)
This talk is based on joint work with Professor Hawking and Professor Turok, at Cambridge. Professor Turok was a proponent of open inflation. This is the idea that the universe is infinitely large, and of low density, despite having been through a period of exponential expansion, in the very early stages. Professor Hawking explains his owns views on this subject and on recent developments in the area.
Gravitational Entropy (June '98)
In this talk Professor Hawking explains some of the past events that have developed an understanding of gravitational entropy. He goes on to explain the present state of the field.
Quantum Cosmology, M-theory and the Anthropic Principle (January '99).
This talk is based on Professor Hawking carried out work with Neil Turok and Harvey Reall. He describes what he sees as the framework for quantum cosmology, on the basis of M theory. He adopts the no boundary proposal, and argues that the Anthropic Principle is essential, if one is to pick out a solution to represent our universe, from the whole zoo of solutions allowed by M theory.
Rotation, Nut Charge and Anti de Sitter Space (February '99).
Professor Hawking carried out the work in this lecture in collaboration with Chris Hunter and Marika Taylor Robinson at Cambridge, and Don Page at Alberta. He describes what he sees as the problems with previous interpretations of this black hole equilibria and goes on to offer what he sees as a more useful interpretation.
Stability of AdS and phase transitions August '99
Black holes are often thought of as completely dead classically. That is they absorb, but do not give out, radiation and energy. In this lecture, first given at the Strings '99 conference, in Potsdam, Germany, Professor Hawking explains that this is not necessarily the case.
The Future of Quantum Cosmology September '99
In this lecture, an updated version of 'Quantum Cosmology, M-theory and the anthropic principle', Professor Hawking again describes what he sees as the framework for quantum cosmology. This lecture was first given at the NATO ASI conference, in Cambridge.
