Duality and Non-Perturbative Techniques in Black Hole Physics

Electric-magnetic duality has been a key feature behind our understanding of Quantum Field Theory for over a century. It provides a strong tool for understanding non-perturbative phenomena and in certain cases it leads to exact solutions. In this talk I will show that Einstein's theory of gravity enjoys a similar duality structure at the classical level which leads, in turn, to exact results. In particular, I will discuss the phenomenological implications for binary mergers and gravitational waves.