In the fast-changing world of YouTube, Veritasium stands out as one of the most trusted and creative science channels. Created by Dr Derek Muller, a physicist and educator, the channel has become a global hub for anyone who loves to ask “why?” and “how?”
As of October 2025, Veritasium has over 19.1 million subscribers and more than 3.6 billion views, reaching classrooms, labs, and living rooms around the world.
Derek Muller’s journey into science communication began long before YouTube. Born in Australia and raised in Canada, he always loved explaining how things worked.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University, he went on to complete his Ph.D. in Physics Education Research at the University of Sydney. His research focused on a fascinating question, why do people misunderstand science even after being taught correctly?
That curiosity led him to create Veritasium in 2011. The name means “an element of truth” in Latin, a perfect reflection of the channel’s mission: to make people rethink what they think they know.
From its very first videos, Veritasium mixed curiosity, humor, and deep scientific reasoning in a way that made even complex topics feel approachable.
What sets Veritasium apart is its storytelling. Derek doesn’t just explain; he experiments. His videos feature hands-on physics demonstrations, street interviews, myth-busting challenges, and expert conversations.
Whether it’s exploring the physics of electricity, explaining black holes, or debunking viral misinformation, his approach keeps viewers hooked.
One day he might be testing electrical arcs in a lab; another, he’s explaining the mysteries of quantum mechanics or how AI systems “think.” His mix of visuals, data, and everyday examples has made science entertaining, without losing accuracy.
Beyond YouTube, Derek has worked on major science shows and documentaries for Netflix (“Bill Nye Saves the World”), ABC, and Discovery Channel, blending education with cinematic storytelling.
By 2025, Veritasium’s influence had grown far beyond the platform. Each video averages over 2 million views, with some topping 10 million, especially those tackling hot topics like gravity, quantum entanglement, or artificial intelligence.
The channel has even won a Streamy Award for Science and Education and is frequently used in schools and universities as a trusted learning resource.
One of Veritasium’s biggest strengths is its commitment to accuracy. Derek publicly acknowledges mistakes, posts corrections, and updates older videos when new information emerges. In an age of AI-generated misinformation, this honesty has only strengthened the channel’s credibility.
In 2025, Veritasium released a bold video exposing the dangers of AI-driven “fake science” content online. Derek warned that while AI can create faster, it often spreads misleading or incorrect information, highlighting the need for real experts and fact-based storytelling.
Even after more than a decade, Veritasium remains true to its original goal: making science human, emotional, and endlessly fascinating. Derek Muller continues to collaborate with scientists, educators, and other creators around the world to bring complex ideas to life in simple, visual ways.
As Derek often says, “The universe is full of mysteries, but the real magic is in the way we learn to understand them.”
