[Ucrea] “Discovery of Superconductivity – Historical and Physical Perspective” Dickson Presentation by Chandra Varma

[Cristina Otegui]

[image: image.png]

March 25, 2026



To:         UCR Emeriti and Retirees

From:     UCR Retirees’ and Emeriti Associations

Re:         “Discovery of Superconductivity – Historical and Physical
Perspective” Dickson Presentation by Chandra Varma

The UCR Emeriti (UCREA) and Retirees’ (UCRRA) Associations invites you to
attend the upcoming Edward A. Dickson Emeritus/a Lecture Talk Series. Each
year three retired UCR faculty are awarded Edward A. Dickson Professorships
to support their research, teaching, or public service activities. In the
year following their awards, Dickson Professors give public presentations
of their work.

*“Discovery of Superconductivity – Historical and Physical Perspective"*

*Presenter*: Dickson awardee Chandra Varma | *Date*: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

*Time*: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | *Location*: In-person at University Extension
Building 1101 in the University Village and Livestreamed via Zoom

*Description*

I will set the scene for the surprising discovery of Superconductivity in
1911, and the

simultaneous (but not realized) phenomena of Superfluidity, by relating
what was known and considered important to discover, and what was unknown
in the bubbling but unfermented prior decade. I will talk about the
confusion of great minds when the essential physics, without which these
phenomena could not be understood, was yet to be discovered. Yet with the
right attitude and great leaps of imagination, some of them made remarkable
and enduring contributions, which survive the full understanding which
arrived only in the 1950s and 1960s. Such an understanding has affected
everything subsequent in physics from nuclear physics to particle physics
to cosmology.

* Refreshments will be provided*



*Event Registration*

Thank you to those who have registered! Priority seating is given to
members of the UCR Emeriti and Retirees’ Associations who must register by
April 3, 2026. Registration will be open to the public by April 4, 2026. To
join *in-person* or through *livestreaming* the event, please register to
receive the event details on the Retirement Center webpage at:

https://ucriverside.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaacFzhTfJR9mrc


*A Special Thank You to Our Co-Sponsor *

UCR Osher

UCR Office of Gift Planning


Please find the invitation flyer attached. We welcome you, your family and
friends to join us!



Sincerely,


UCR Emeriti and Retirees’ Associations

retirees at ucr.edu
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