Dear {Contact_First_Name},
This month, we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our physics community with the announcement of the 2026 AIP Awards. From quantum computing and gravitational wave science to leadership, education, communication and early-career research, this year's recipients demonstrate the extraordinary breadth and impact of Australian physics. I congratulate all our award recipients and look forward to presenting the awards at AIP Congress 2026 in December.
Congress is shaping up to be a fantastic gathering and I’m really looking forward to the conference being held at the University of Sydney. I'm particularly pleased that Professor Tony Haymet, Australia's Chief Scientist, and Professor Tanya Monro AC, Chief Defence Scientist, will be joining us alongside an outstanding program of national and international speakers. The program has a nice mix of academic sessions, workshops, public talks, networking events and a careers fair - register now!
A highlight this month has been Dr Karelle Siellez's Marie Curie Lecture Series, with Painting the Universe attracting sell-out audiences around Australia. Dr Siellez returns home to Tasmania for the series finale on 1 October, where she will receive the Women in Physics Lecturer Medal. I look forward to the 2027 lecture series with Dr Zhao from the ANU.
The reformation of our Policy Committee (headed by Prof. Martin White) is bolstering our advocacy. Recently we engaged with the ARC regarding limits for the Future Fellowships FT27 and while our suggestion wasn’t taken up, our contribution was welcomed and the ARC will continue to engage with us in the future. The committee is currently considering Physics Research and Foreign Interference, a response to the Australian Tertiary Education Commission on “research specialisation”, the impact and use of AI in physics and the Australian Academy of Science's “Restore Science” initiative. Fantastic to have a considered voice in all these conversations.
I note that the AAS Restore Science email initiative has seen 37,503 emails sent to politicians. My own email elicited a form response from my local member, which might seem benign; however, they indicated they have had an overwhelming volume of emails and could not process them manually. Hopefully the message and support for sciences in the community is getting through!
I note the passing of two long-standing members Prof Tony Moon OAM and John Kelleher AM PSM, condolences to their family and friends.
Finally, I hope everyone is wielding their position and influence to promote and advocate for Australian Physics - every opportunity I get I push for companies and organisations to have a Chief Physicist. |
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Dr Stuart Midgley President, Australian Institute of Physics |
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Announcing the AIP Awards
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Congratulations to the outstanding members recognised in the 2026 AIP Awards for achievements spanning research, leadership, communication and education.
Senior Research Awards
- Professor Andrew Dzurak (UNSW Sydney/Diraq) receives the Walter Boas Medal for excellence in research for pioneering advances in silicon-based quantum computing.
- Distinguished Professor Susan M. Scott (ANU) receives the Harrie Massey Medal and Prize for groundbreaking contributions to gravitational wave science, general relativity and cosmology.
Service, Leadership, Communication & Education Awards- Professor Maria Parappilly (Flinders University) and Professor Kirrily Rule (ANSTO) receive Women in Leadership Medals.
- Dr Sophie Zhao (ANU) is the 2027 Women in Physics Lecturer, sharing her quantum research on a national tour.
- Dr Kathryn Ross (Curtin University) receives the Physics Communication Award.
- Daniel O'Keeffe (VicPhysics Teachers' Network) receives the Education Medal.
Early Career & Student Awards - Dr Theresa Fruth (University of Sydney) receives the Ruby Payne-Scott Award for her contributions to experimental dark matter research.
- Dr Maria Luisa Buzzo (Swinburne University) receives the Bragg Gold Medal for her PhD thesis on ultra-diffuse galaxies.
- George Sanamyan (University of Adelaide) and James Monro (ANU) receive TH Laby Medals for outstanding Honours or Masters theses.
The awards will be presented at AIP Congress 2026 in December. Read on for the full award details.
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AIP EVENTS
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Finale of the Marie Curie Lecture seriesAfter taking Painting the Universe to sell-out audiences across Australia, reaching more than 1,600 people in person and online (pictured above), 2026 Women in Physics Lecturer Dr Karelle Siellez, astrophysicist and lecturer at the University of Tasmania, returns home to Tasmania for the series finale.
The evening will also include the presentation of the Women in Physics Lecturer Medal to Dr Siellez. 1 October 2026, Physics Lecture Theatre 1, University of Tasmania. Register to attend live or watch on-line. |
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New Career Fair and Teachers' Day at AIP Congress 2026
Connecting the next generation of physicists and physics educators
Friday, 11 December, The University of Sydney
Australian Physics Teachers’ Day is a dedicated one-day program running in conjunction to the AIP Congress and ANCOP 2026, organised by the AIP Physics Education Group (PEG).
The day is designed for practising and pre-service high school teachers of physics and related disciplines, bringing together educators from across Australia for professional development, networking and practical learning.
The program will feature a mix of professional development lectures, hands-on workshops and opportunities to connect with tertiary and secondary educators. It will provide a valuable opportunity to share ideas, explore new approaches to physics education and strengthen connections across the physics teaching community. Our website will have further information.
The Australian Physics Career Fair is designed to connect physics students with employers, industry leaders and organisations demonstrating how physics skills can translate into fulfilling careers
The Career Fair will provide an opportunity for students to explore career pathways, meet potential employers and gain practical advice on entering the workforce. The program will also include professional development opportunities, including sessions focused on preparing for careers beyond university. Registrations opening soon.
Both programs form part of the broader AIP Congress and ANZCOP Program, bringing the physics community together at the University of Sydney in December. |
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2026 AIP Physics in Industry Forum: Physics in GovernmentThe 2026 Physics in Industry Day explores how physicists influence government, public policy and national capability. Featuring former Australian Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AM, sessions will examine careers in public service, emerging needs in quantum and nuclear, and how scientists can effectively advocate for science. 12 November at CSIRO Lindfield. Register here. |
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21st Einstein Lecture: Does God play dice? The AIP NSW Branch's 21st Einstein Lecture saw Dr Luke Barnes (pictured above) explore randomness, cosmology and where physics meets philosophy at Macquarie University and Warners Bay in August. Thank you to Dr Barnes and the organisers, volunteers, hosts and supporters who made both events a success. |
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Awards and prizes
Open for nomination
Can you capture physics in a single frame? Physics is everywhere: in light bending through glass, moving water, patterns in nature, machines in motion and the night sky. We want to see what physics looks like to you for The Beauty of Physics 2026 Photo Competition. No professional camera or physics degree required, just curiosity and a great idea. Entries close 30 September. Awarded Dr Lachlan Rogers recognised for physics outreach Congratulations to Dr Lachlan Rogers, recipient of the 2026 AIP NSW Community Outreach to Physics Award, recognising his outstanding contribution to physics education and community engagement. The award, now in its 13th year, celebrates those making physics accessible, inspiring and relevant to audiences across NSW. Pictured below Dr Rogers received the Award at the AIP NSW Physics in the Pub event, thanks to all speakers and sponsors. |
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In brief: events, opportunities & updates
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Join the Australian Physics magazine team: Call for Editors
The Editors of Australian Physics magazine are seeking a new member of the editorial team to assist with content planning, production, and responding to queries. Please send expressions of interest to editors@aip.org.au. APCTP calls for 2027 program proposals The Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics is inviting proposals for its 2027 programs, supporting high-quality theoretical physics research and international collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Applications are open online from 1 August to 30 September 2026. Inspire the next generation of women in physics The VicPhysics Teachers Network is seeking women physicists to mentor secondary students at Girls in Physics events in Bendigo, Ballarat and Morwell this September. Share your career journey and help students discover where studying physics could take them. QLIME 2026 brings quantum researchers together The second Australian QLIME Workshop will bring Australian and international researchers to Monash University from 30 November to 4 December to explore quantum light, matter, information and electronics. The program features talks, posters and collaboration opportunities across emerging quantum research. Abstract submissions close 15 September. Help shape research into electromagnetism teaching The AIP Physics Education Group is seeking university educators who have taught second-year or later electromagnetism in the past five years for an Australian study. Researchers from UNSW, Sydney, ANU and Flinders will explore how and why electromagnetism is taught. Discover where maths can take your students AMSI's free Industry Day for Teachers comes to La Trobe University's Albury-Wodonga campus on 10 September. Secondary maths and STEM teachers and careers advisers can explore mathematics-dependent careers and study pathways, helping students understand where their maths skills could take them. |
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Physics in the news
Professor Muhammad Usman shares the vision behind Australia’s new National Quantum Computing Testbed. The $10.5 million open-access facility at UQ will give researchers and industry affordable access to a real quantum processor to test ideas and accelerate innovation. ABC Radio National's Science Friction explores the race to build quantum computers in Dead and Alive. Across four episodes, Jacinta Bowler unpacks the breakthroughs, rivalries and remarkable physics behind technology that could transform medicine, food, transport and more. Materials physics is helping improve surgical outcomes. Dr Philipp Loesel from ANU worked with University Hospital Heidelberg surgeons to develop sophisticated 3D imaging that dynamically captures hernia bulges, giving surgeons new insights to guide treatment and contributing to a near-perfect record of successful surgery. Dark energy isn't dead yet. A 2025 study questioned whether the universe's expansion is accelerating, challenging evidence for dark energy. University of Southampton researchers have now re-examined the findings and call them a false alarm, although the original Yonsei University team maintains its conclusions, in The Conversation. Scientists have observed quantum heat waves at room temperature for the first time. The quantum behaviour sees heat-carrying vibrations travel through non-metallic materials in distinct patterns, rather than spreading evenly as heat typically does under everyday conditions. Explore how businesses are using quantum science in Quantum in Action – a series of use cases from Quantum Australia including stories from mining, defence, energy and disease diagnosis.
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AIP Membership
Attending the 2026 AIP Congress? Take advantage of discounted member registration rates!
Financial members of the AIP have access to numerous benefits including financial support for students, our quarterly magazine Australian Physics, and discounts to AIP events. If you have any questions, please email aip@aip.org.au.
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Free Teacher Associate Membership
The AIP has launched a free Teacher Associate membership category for Australian school teachers. Find out more.
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Careers
Jobs board
The AIP is partnering with Physics World Jobs to deliver a dedicated jobs board for physics-related roles. Employers can post both paid listings and complimentary ads, with free postings featured for up to two weeks. Find out more.
Australian Physics World Careers 2026 guide
The Australian Physics World Careers 2026 guide showcases the diverse career pathways available to physicists, highlighting the breadth of work undertaken across industry, research, government and beyond. This year's edition features leaders from UK intelligence agency GCHQ, explores careers in nuclear energy and offers practical career advice. Read the 2026 guide here.
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Thank you to our supporters
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The Australian Institute of Physics, PO Box 73, Parkville 3052, VIC Australia.
You are receiving this bulletin from the Australian Institute of Physics because you are a valued stakeholder. Would you like to become a member, or renew your membership with the AIP? Members receive discounts to events, online and physical copies of the Australian Physics magazine, be able to be nominated for prizes and awards, have access to travel money, support physics in Australia and more. Join Australia's leading physicists today here. To renew your AIP membership, click here. Sent by Science in Public, on behalf of the Australian Institute of Physics, aip.org.au. Send enquiries and contributions by the 20th of each month to physics@scienceinpublic.com.au.
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