Clifford V. Johnson

Clifford V. Johnson is a scientist, writer, and science communicator. He is a Professor of Physics at the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, California. He was born in London, England. He studied undergraduate physics at Imperial College (University of London), and obtained his PhD in theoretical physics at the University of Southampton. His research involves basic questions about the structure and origin of matter, space and time, working on particle physics, black holes, quantum gravity, and cosmology using techniques and ideas such as string theory and field theory. He is well known for explaining physics to the general public, through public lectures, writing, drawing, blogging, filmmaking, appearances at museums, bookstores, festivals, and especially through television and online. His most recent book is a non-fiction graphic novel entitled "The Dialogues: Conversations about the Nature of the Universe" (MIT Press 2017). He works with artists, writers, filmmakers, and others to help improve science content and the perception and understanding of science in the arts, media, and the broader culture. He regularly appears on (and advises) several shows internationally on various TV and online channels, and is particularly well known as one of the co-presenters of the longest running TV show about physics and astronomy, The Universe (2007), the movie Einstein (2008), and for his work on shows like "The Fabric of the Cosmos" (2011) and History of the World in 2 Hours (2011). He gave a TED talk in 2012 entitled "String Theory and the Hidden Structures of the Universe", and a PopTech talk in 2017 entitled "Adventures in Science and Culture".