The Quantum Computing Leap: How We Design the Bridge to the Quantum World - Caiseal Beardow (PhD)

Right now, "Quantum Computing" sounds less like a technology and more like a plot device in a Marvel movie. It is widely viewed as an unsolvable mystery locked away in frozen laboratories, accessible only to people with three degrees and a whiteboard full of equations.

But what if the biggest barrier to the Quantum revolution isn't the complex physics, but simply bad design?

On January 28, Caiseal Beardow (PhD) comes to the bar to dismantle the "Keep Out" signs surrounding quantum technology. She demonstrates that we are currently at a historical tipping point - much like the early days of digital computers, when "computing" meant room-sized machines for specialists, before interface design turned them into the smartphones in our pockets.

In this talk, Caiseal will

• Demystify the "Spooky" Science: A primer on the history and nature of quantum tech, stripping away the hype to reveal what it actually is.

• Draw the Map: Compare the evolution of digital computers to the current state of quantum, showing exactly where we are on the timeline of innovation.

• Show the Future: Share her direct work at TU Delft on designing educational interfaces and metaphors that make quantum algorithms hands-on and understandable for non-scientists.

This is a night for the curious. It challenges the idea that you need a PhD to engage with the future. Whether you are a tech pro or just someone who wants to know what happens when the "unsolvable mystery" becomes a household tool.

About the speaker

Caiseal is a researcher and creative technologist actively exploring new paradigms for interaction with emerging technologies. She is driven by a core belief that science and technology are for everyone, and that formal education should not be a prerequisite for meaningful engagement.

She recently concluded her PhD in the Design Aesthetics section of Human-Centered Design at TU Delft's IDE Faculty, specializing in making quantum computing approachable. Her research focuses on emerging Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) practices for quantum computing, including the development of interface metaphors for programming quantum algorithms. Her work was part of the NWO project Quantum Inspire (with collaborators including QuTech, TNO and Zurich Instruments).

Caiseal also actively works to broaden access and inclusion in the sector as an Organising Committee Member of We In Quantum Development (WIQD), a Dutch organisation that advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in quantum technologies.

The bar is open from 17:00 – Arrive early, grab a seat, and settle in.

Talk starts at 19:30 and runs until around 21:00.

Stick around afterward - good conversations don’t have closing times.