It has been almost one month since the Friends of IHES Gala on Women in Fundamental Research took place, on November 16.

One of the highest moments of the evening was Janna Levin‘s keynote speech on black holes, a topic she is fond about and that she has been studying for years.

Watch Janna Levin’s keynote speech at the 2021 Friends of IHES Gala on Women in Fundamental Research:

Janna Levin is the Claire Tow Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University, as well as Founding Director of the Science Studios at Pioneer Works, and founder and editor-in-chief of their virtual manifestation, The Broadcast.

A Guggenheim Fellow, Janna has contributed to an understanding of black holes, the cosmology of extra dimensions, and gravitational waves in the shape of spacetime.

Janna Levin is also a writer of both essays and fiction. Her new book is Black Hole Survival Guide. Her previous books include How the Universe Got Its Spots and a novel, A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines, which won the PEN/Bingham Prize, and Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space.

She is the presenter of the Emmy-nominated NOVA feature Black Hole Apocalypse, aired on PBS—the first female presenter for NOVA in 35 years.

Watch all the key moments of the 2021 Friends of IHES Gala on Women in Fundamental Research