The Harrie Massey Medal was proposed at the AIP Congress in 1988 and established in 1990 as a gift of the Institute of Physics, UK, to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the AIP as a separate institution in 1963.

The award recognises outstanding contributions to physics made by an Australian citizen working anywhere in the world, or by an Australian resident for work carried out in Australia.

The award consists of a medal and a certificate and is awarded biennually.

The winner will be invited to present a plenary talk related to the nominated research at the next AIP Congress and write an article for publication in Australian Physics.

Eligibility Requirements

• The nominee must be a member of the Australian Institute of Physics or the Institute of Physics (UK).
• The nominee can be:
• • an Australian citizen working in Australia; or
  • a non-Australian, i.e., not an Australian citizen, who is working in Australia, or 
  • an Australian currently working overseas, but the work for which they are nominated must have occurred in or be contributing to physics in Australia.
• The nominee must be nominated by a Proposer who is a member of the AIP.

Nomination Material and Process

The online Harrie Massey Medal nomination form requires the Proposer to provde:

• a one sentence citation capturing the nature of the work, as well as a longer citation (no more than 300 words) that briefly summarises the nominee’s contributions in relation to the award application. This is to be written for a scientifically literate lay person. This will be used for promotion/certificates if the nominee is successful. The citation is a crucial factor in selecting the recipient;
• the names and contact details of three (3) referees who have appropriate expertise to offer a critical appraisal of the nominee's achievements. At least one of the referees must be  external to the nominee’s place of work and not a former or current co-author/collaborator of the nominee;
• a brief curriculum vitae covering the nominee’s personal details (full name and correct title, present occupation and position of nominee, and full address), academic and professional qualifications, outline of career history, honours, and distinguished awards (to the best of the Proposer’s knowledge). A full CV and publication history is not necessary;
• a list (with dates) of the nominee’s most significant contributions to their area of endeavour including the nominee’s 10 most significant publications.

Only one medal will be awarded in each round.

Nominations close: 1 April of the nomination year.

Nominations, including all supporting documentation, should be submitted via the online Harrie Massey Medal and Prize nomination form, by the advertised closing date. Referees should submit their letters of reference using this submission form, independently of any correspondence from the nominee, also by the advertised closing date.

Assessment Criteria

Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of:

• the excellence and impact of their contributions to physics assessed by publication metrics and other appropriate measures for the field of research;
• the track record of prestigious presentation such as keynote, plenary, and invited talks;
• the record of patents and knowledge transfer;
• the record of prestigious scientific leadership contributions such as service on panels and conference organisation.

Previous Winners

• 2024 Professor Michael Edmund Tobar, The University of Western Australia
• 2022 Emeritus Professor Jim S Williams, Australian National University
• 2020 Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop, University of Queensland
• 2018 Professor Michael Johnston, University of Oxford
• 2016 Professor Ray R Volkas, University of Melbourne
• 2014 Professor Yuri Kivshar, Australian National University
• 2012 Dr Anthony B Murphy, CSIRO
• 2010 Professor Hans (H-A) Bachor, Australian National University
• 2008 Professor David Cockayne, Oxford University
• 2006 Professor Bruce HJ McKellar, University of Melbourne
• 2004 Professor Peter Drummond, University of Queensland
• 2003 no prize awarded
• 2002 Professor Robert Delbourgo, University of Tasmania
• 2001 no prize awarded
• 2000 Professor Tony (AW) Thomas, University of Adelaide
• 1999 no prize awarded
• 1998 Professor Donald B Melrose, University of Sydney
• 1997 Professor David Pegg, Griffith University
• 1996 Professor Alan Snyder, Australian National University
• 1995 Professor David (AD) Buckingham, University of Cambridge
• 1994 Professor Rodney J Baxter, Australian National University
• 1992 Dr Basil H Briggs, University of Adelaide
• 1990 Professor Richard H Dalitz, University of Oxford