Zahaan Bharmal

Biography

Zahaan Bharmal is a science communicator and business leader who bridges the rigorous logic of physics with the messy realities of human decision-making and behaviour. In a world in which we are told that with enough data, the right tools and enough information, we should be able to make the perfect decision, Zahaan considers the gap between that promise, and the reality. A reality that is a source of quiet anxiety for many leaders. He shares the practical techniques used by brilliant minds to show how to make confident, well-reasoned decisions when perfection isn't available. 

With a career spanning government, global technology and science communication, Zahaan offers a unique perspective on how people and organisations plan, decide and lead when the answer isn't clear. He explores themes of uncertainty, resilience and complexity, offering practical frameworks to strip complex decisions down to their fundamentals, break chaotic problems into manageable patterns, and opt for ‘good enough’ without settling for compromise.

Zahaan began his career in the UK government as a policy advisor and speechwriter, crafting speeches for political leaders including Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela, developing a firsthand understanding of how complex ideas shape policy, opinion and outcomes under pressure. He went on to hold senior leadership roles at Google, including Strategy at Google DeepMind and Chief of Staff to the company's Chief Marketing Officer, giving him a close-up view of how ideas move from research and strategy into real-world impact, and why some succeed while others stall.

The author of the acclaimed book The Art of Physics – Eight Elegant Ideas to Make Sense of Almost Everything, Zahaan explores the hidden, beautiful and surprising ways physics can help us make sense of life and work. He also founded YouTube Space Lab, the world's largest space science competition, inspiring millions of young people to engage with science and earning NASA's Exceptional Public Achievement Medal. He remains passionate about inspiring the next generation, regularly speaking in schools and universities to help young people think more confidently about science and their own futures. 

Engaging and thoughtful, Zahaan’s talks combine science, storytelling and hard-won practical wisdom. Drawing on examples ranging from how NASA solved the challenge of landing safely on Mars to how government policy is formed and implemented, he shows audiences how to think with more clarity and confidence under pressure. He gives leaders tools they can apply immediately in their own decision-making and a new way of thinking that helps organisations build resilience and act with confidence in an uncertain world.