Dr. Becky

Dr. Becky is the channel of Dr Becky Smethurst, a British astrophysicist at the University of Oxford. Her research looks at how supermassive black holes affect the galaxies around them. She has also written books, including “A Brief History of Black Holes”.

The videos explain the universe with a focus on how we know things, not just what we know. Regular Night Sky News episodes round up the latest discoveries. Other videos explore unsolved mysteries, strange objects in space and the history of scientific ideas. The style is warm, clear and based on real research papers.

Some highlights include:

An explanation of how astronomers estimate that there are around two trillion galaxies in the universe.

A look at the winding problem, the puzzle of why spiral galaxies keep their shape.

A discussion of new evidence that the universe might not be flat, and why it matters to cosmologists.

The channel has around 886,000 subscribers.

Dr Becky shows what a research career in physics looks like, and how scientists test ideas against evidence. Her videos suit students taking physics who are curious about astrophysics or space science. She is also a visible role model for young women considering physics and engineering. Her monthly news round-ups are also an easy way to keep up with new discoveries and missions, which helps when writing a personal statement or preparing for an interview.