Dear {Contact_First_Name},
It’s been a busy month!
Firstly, congratulations to Judith Pollard, whose many contributions to the AIP, and to Australian physics more generally, have been recognised with the AIP Award for Outstanding Service.
The ARC Review Bill has now passed parliament, which is a welcome development. Next on our wish-list would be greater investment in research funding. Indeed, Australian investment in R&D was one of the major themes discussed at Science Meets Parliament last month.
The state of mathematics education in Australia has been in the news multiple times in recent weeks. Due to declining participation in senior high school maths, the University of Sydney has dropped Advanced Maths (the equivalent of Maths Methods) as a prerequisite for entry to their Bachelor of Science. In large part, the problem is a shortage of trained high school mathematics teachers, a situation that has reached crisis point. This should concern us, as the quality of maths education directly impacts the pipeline of students into the physical sciences. Last week, the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (an AIP partner) released a position paper on the up-skilling of out-of-field maths teachers – a pragmatic short-term solution, which the AIP endorses.
We are looking for an ECR representative to join the AIP Executive, to increase the AIP’s engagement with the physics ECR community. We are also looking for a new AIP Operations Manager. Details below.
The 25th AIP Congress will be held in Melbourne, in the first week of December 2024. Abstract submission is now open.
Finally, the nomination deadline for 2024 AIP awards has been extended to 15 April. Nominate yourself or a colleague now!
Best wishes,
Nicole Bell
President, Australian Institute of Physics
president@aip.org.au |
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The AIP endorses support and upskill of out-of-field maths teachersThe AIP strongly endorses the position paper “Relieving Out-Of-Field Teaching in Australian Secondary Mathematics”, dated March 2024, prepared by a consortium of Australian mathematical associations.
Mathematics is the language of physics and is of foundational importance to all areas of STEM. The shortage of high-school mathematics teachers in Australia has reached crisis point and further compounds disadvantage in low socio-economic areas.
The approach outlined in the position paper is a pragmatic and much needed short-term solution.
Read more.
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25th AIP Congress in Melbourne in December
2-6 December 2024
Melbourne Convention Centre.
Abstract submission is now open.
The 25th AIP Congress will be co-located with the 17th International Conference on Near-Field Optics, Nanophotonics and Related Techniques (NFO), the Australian and New Zealand Conference on Optics and Photonics (ANZCOP), and the Conference on Optoelectronic and Microelectronic Materials and Devices (COMMAD).
More information at: www.aip-congress.org.au
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Bronze Bragg awards and an attosecond lecture
Top scoring year 12 physics students from 2023, Allegra Kleinig and Rianna Herring, were awarded Bronze Bragg medals at the AIP SA Branch’s annual Bronze Bragg Presentation and Lecture.
Prof Robert Sang gave a lecture on attosecond science: the dynamics of lasers and atoms at one billion-billionth of a second.
Read more and see photos here.
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Get involved: Looking for an ECR rep and operations manager
Call for expressions of interest
The AIP is looking for:
• an Early Career Researcher (ECR) representative to join the national AIP Executive. The term is one year, with the possibility of extension. Learn more about the position or apply.
• an Operations Manager. Part-time, work-from-home role with flexible hours. Learn more and apply.
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Thank you for supporting physics in Australia
Thank you for being a valued member of the AIP. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any initiatives, please email aip@aip.org.au.
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News and opportunitiesThe deadline to nominate for the following AIP awards has been extended to Monday 15 Apr: Walter Boas Medal, Harrie Massey Medal, Alan Walsh Medal for Service to Industry, AIP Education Medal, Ruby Payne-Scott Award for Excellence in Early-Career Research, Women in Leadership Medal, and Physics Communication Award. More info.
We are thrilled to hear the ARC Review Bill passed Parliament and will soon become law. The AIP strongly advocated for change, as did many others in the research community. We are happy that we were heard. Read the AIP’s submissions to the Review here.
The David Syme Research Prize awards $10,000 to the best original research in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Geology produced in Australia in the past two years. Nominations close 30 Apr. Read more or nominate.
“No walk in the park”: Motherhood in academia. AIP member and SA Branch committee member, Dr Irene Bolognino, shares her experience as the first mother to work as an academic in the particle physics group at The University of Adelaide. Read the full story here.
The Bragg Gold Medal for Excellence in Physics recognises the most outstanding physics PhD thesis. The award consists of a medal and one year membership of the AIP. The medal will be presented at the AIP Congress, with expenses to attend covered. Nominations close 1 May. Nominate now.
The 2025 Women in Physics Lecturer award is open for nominations until 1 Jun. The award recognises and publicises significant contributions by a woman to advancing a field of physics. The award recipient will receive a medal, a certificate, one year membership of the AIP, and appropriate support to provide a lecture tour across Australia. Nominate here. Find out more about the 2024 Women in Physics Lecturer, Prof Susan Coppersmith, here.
Physics in the Pub nominations are open. Communicate your passion for physics through comedy, music, a quiz, or science demos at the 2024 AIPNSW Physics in the Pub, on Tuesday 27 August at Abercrombie in Sydney. Nominate for an 8 minute slot by Friday 28 June. Everyone is welcome to express interest in presenting. Nominate now.
Expressions of interest are open for research-industry grants for international collaboration between $100k - $1mil. Delivered by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering, the fund is focusing on advanced manufacturing, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, hydrogen production, and RNA vaccines and therapies. Learn more and submit an EOI.
Australian Physics magazine is calling for technical article submissions. All members of the physics community are encouraged to contribute, especially early-career physicists. Note, as Australian Physics magazine is not a peer-reviewed research publication, it cannot publish articles containing the results of original research that has not already been published in the peer-reviewed literature. If you would like to write an article for Australian Physics, please contact the editors at editors@aip.org.au.
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From heart implants and the ISS to physics teaching
"I worked overseas as a researcher in medical physics, investigating surface coatings for stents (heart implants) and preparing more durable diamond–like coatings for the International Space Station”, says Dr Penelope Hale.
“I am now the Assistant Head of Science at John Monash Science School.”
“Physics teachers have a great community in Victoria (VicPhysics) and will always have a secure job as there are not enough skilled teachers. Many of my colleagues have moved into teaching later in their careers.”
Read
more about Penelope’s physics journey.
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Do you know someone with training in #physics who has followed an interesting career path outside of academia? We would love to profile them for our #PhysicsGotMeHere career profiles, which explore all the places your physics training can take you. Get in touch. |
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Australian physics in the news
Twin stars reveal planet-eating habits (The
Guardian)
Promise of perovskite as Australian lab hits record PV
efficiency (Cosmos
Magazine)
JWST reveals a massive and ancient galaxy that challenges
our models of the young Universe (ABC
News)
We Finally Know What Turned The Lights on at The Dawn of
Time (Science
Alert)
Rethinking space and time could let us do away with dark
matter (New
Scientist)
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Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Physics (Education Focused),
Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney
The University of Sydney welcomes applications for Sydney
Horizon Educators in the academic disciplines outlined below. Successful candidates will be expected to dedicate most of
their contribution to teaching and teaching-related activities (70%), while
also engaging in research (20%) and governance, leadership, and engagement
(10%). Full-time and part-time continuing positions. $118,390 -
$167,221 p.a. + 17% super + up to $30k to support education related activities
and research. Read more.
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Radiation Safety Advisor,
Defence Science & Technology Group (DSTG), Australian Government Department of Defence
This is a specialised safety role as part of the WHS Strategy and Assurance team and larger DSTG WHS Enabling Capability team. The Radiation Safety Advisor will provide key support on radiation safety and compliance matters impacting the Fishermans Bend site. $83,706 - $89,659 (APS 5) + Super. Read more.
Each year, Physics World publishes Physics World Careers, a guide aimed at helping those with a physics background make informed decisions about their career path. Download a copy of Physics World Careers 2023 .
We can provide a free link to your physics-related job or PhD opportunity. If you would like to advertise your job, we can feature more details and a picture for a small cost. 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 480 West Ryde 1685 NSW 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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