Dear {Contact_First_Name},
Members of the AIP know that science is
vital to our future, however it’s more important than ever to remind the
community in Australia and around the world.
Last month, physicists and Australian
Academy of Science president, Prof Chennupati Jagadish AC, speaking in China,
called for the global science community to redouble its efforts to ensure good
public science is not obstructed by political or religious beliefs or by those
who withhold or monopolise knowledge for private gain. In a speech
at the Chinese Academies of Science he also talked about the importance of
global science collaboration to address global challenges.
Over the past two years, the AIP has
invested in the development of International Quantum Year in Australia. So far, at least 300 events have been held or
are being planned, including 200 school events during Science Week.
One of the biggest highlights of the
Year is the tour of “laser jock” and Nobel laureate Prof Donna Strickland.
Donna revolutionised laser technology, leading to life-changing applications
like LASIK eye surgery and ultra-precise smartphone glass cutting. Hear her insights in Melbourne,
Canberra, Brisbane, and Sydney.
My thanks to our Quantum Year committee
for their work in creating the Year and the Tour. The AIP Executive is now
exploring ways to maintain momentum in the second half of the year. We are
supporting the Dark Matter Road Trip,
adding stops in Kalgoorlie, Alice Springs, and Hobart. We are also supporting the
creation of quantum inspired teaching kits to take quantum physics into schools
around Australia, with the help of Flinders University’s STEM Enrichment
Academy.
Congratulations to Science and
Technology Australia President, Prof Sharath Sriram, who has been
appointed Western Australia’s new Chief Scientist. Sharath is a physicist
who has created devices for energy-efficient electronics, biomedical sensors,
and high-speed communication and is a strong advocate for science policy and
innovation strategy.
Physicists working on
measuring atomic collisions, climate science for NASA, radiation physics and
human health were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. My congratulations
to Igor Bray AM, Graeme Stephens AC, and Michael Repacholi AO. There’s more on their achievements below.
Stu Midgley
President, Australian Institute of Physics
president@aip.org.au |
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Physics underground: Lucas Heights tour and lecture
AIP members toured ANSTO’s Low-Level Radiation labs in
Sydney where A/Prof Tony Hooker gave a presentation on low-dose radiation
exposure.
Tony also talked about two of the quietest places on Earth: the
1 km deep Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL) in Victoria, and
Canada’s 2 km deep SNOLAB. These labs are so isolated that the smallest signals
can be measured as scientists search for the secrets of dark matter, develop
quantum technologies, and study life in extreme environments.
Read more.
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Grant writing workshop, student awards, and more at the AIP Summer Meeting
Encourage your ECRs to get involved at the AIP Summer Meeting
this December. Highlights include an ECR grant-writing workshop and the AIP NSW
Branch Postgraduate Awards event, open to all states.
The success rate for ARC Discovery Project grants has hit a
low point of 16.25%, making strong grant-writing skills more important than
ever.
Craft compelling proposals at the ECR grant writing
afternoon, led by Scientia Professor Alex Hamilton and members of the ARC
Panel of Experts. To be involved, email a one-page
project summary by 24 November.
Each university may nominate one student to compete for the
AIP NSW Branch 2025 Annual Postgraduate Awards, including two $500
prizes. Nominate by 11 October.
Abstract
submissions close 15 August. Early bird registrations
close 16 September.
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Photo comp: capture the beauty of physics
Photographers from around Australia are invited to submit
images to the AIP ACT Branch photography competition. Let your lens bring the
captivating world of physics to life.
Submit by 30 September for a chance to win one of four cash
prizes:
$150 Grand Prize
$100 Best Quantum Themed Photo
$100 School Student Prize
$100 University Student Prize
Winners of the 2024
competition and descriptions of the physics behind each image are here.
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Physicists recognised in King's Honours
Using physics for precise calculations of atomic and
molecular collisions: congratulations to AIP Fellow Prof Igor Bray AM, Curtin
University, who was awarded Member of the Order of Australia.
From a physics degree at University of Melbourne to a
co-director at NASA’s Center for Climate Sciences at the NASA Jet Propulsion
Laboratory at Caltech: Prof Graeme Stephens AC was awarded Australia's highest
honour, Companion of the Order of Australia.
Understanding radiation physics to protect human health:
biophysicist and radiation protection expert Dr Michael Repacholi AO was
awarded Officer of the Order of Australia. Dr Repacholi founded the
International Commission on the Non-Ionising Radiation Protection and the World
Health Organization's International EMF Project.
See the full list of
Honours.
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Vale Emeritus Professor Ronald Bruce Gardiner FAIP (1934-2025)
The AIP has been informed of the passing of Em/Prof Ronald
Gardiner in June.
Beginning his academic journey in the United Kingdom, he
excelled as a pilot in the University Air Squadron, before moving to The
University of Queensland as a senior lecturer in physics. Gardiner worked his
way up to Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) at QUT.
Gardiner was acknowledged with Emeritus Professor Status by
the QUT board in 1996, and Fellowship of the AIP.
Click here to read more about
Em/Prof Ronald Gardiner’s life and for details of his memorial service.
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Member discounts for the AIP Summer Meeting
Financial members of the AIP have access to discounts to AIP events, financial support for students, our quarterly magazine Australian Physics, and other benefits.
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News and opportunities
Nominations for the AIP NSW Branch Community Outreach to
Physics Award close on 4 July. Do you know an excellent physics
communicator who has greatly contributed to physics outreach and education in
NSW? Nominate them here.
The AIP is offering free back issues of Australian
Physics magazine for school teachers who wish to recognise and reward
students excelling in or passionate about physics. Read more.
Find out about a career in quantum at the Sydney Quantum
Academy Open Day & Careers Fair in Sydney on 15 July. Read
more.
Contribute a
technical article to our quarterly magazine Australian Physics by
emailing editors@aip.org.au.
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Physics in the news
Unexplained radio signals coming from Antarctic ice (Cosmos
Magazine)
Giant asteroid could crash into moon in 2032, firing debris
towards Earth (The
Guardian)
Why are sunsets so pretty in winter? There’s a simple
explanation (The
Conversation)
Teaching quantum physics to everyone: pictures offer a new
way of understanding (Physics
World)
Australian astronomers identify unique gas in atmosphere of
exoplanet 850 light-years away (Cosmos
Magazine)
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Physics World Careers is an annual guide aimed at helping those with a physics background make informed decisions about their career path. Download a copy of Physics World / APS Careers 2025.
If you have a physics-related job or PhD opportunity, let us know and we can provide a free link. For a small fee, we can advertise your job as a feature with more details and a picture. Email Michael Schmidt for more information. Need help? Contact aip@aip.org.au.
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Thank you to our supporters
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Our
mailing address is:
Australian Institute of Physics
PO Box 73, Parkville 3052, VIC Australia |
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Thank
you for supporting the AIP.
If
you have retired, or require financial assistance please contact, aip@aip.org.au or 0478 260 533.
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