Dear {Contact_First_Name},
The Economic Reform Roundtable in
August tackled some big issues, including AI. But on R&D in general, “the
Roundtable ultimately ended up kicking the can down the road instead of placing
it at the heart of the country’s future prosperity”, says
Science & Technology Australia. This is a major oversight considering a
CSIRO report in 2021 which found that every dollar spent on research has a $3.50
return on investment through economic output, income, and jobs.
The Australian
Academy of Sciences has noted that government and business investment in
research is declining. It has proposed a small levy on large companies that
don’t invest in R&D.
The Academy has also renewed its call
for an independent
research integrity body. I’d welcome members’ thoughts on both these
issues.
In AIP news, Dr Karelle Siellez has
been selected as the 2026 Women in Physics lecturer. Karelle is an accomplished
astrophysicist at University of Tasmania and has communicated her research
through public talks, music, painting, and more. We will have a feature on Dr
Siellez in the October bulletin.
It’s great to see scientists in the
media, and especially physicists. National Science Week gives us that
opportunity. The AIP was delighted to support the National Quantum and Dark Matter
Road Trip with 33 stops across WA, SA, NT, QLD, NSW, and VIC, bringing high
quality physics education to remote communities around the country. This group
of physicists got media coverage on SBS,
ABC
radio, Channel
9, Channel
7, JOY
radio, Bendigo
Advertiser, Broken
Hill Times, Education
HQ, and the AAP.
Congratulations to
AIP Fellow Prof Manjula Sharma for her recent selection to become Fellow of the
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). Manju has been involved with
the AIP for decades, helping to create the annual Women in Physics award and
lecture tour in 2000 and the Physics Education Group (PEG) soon after. Stu Midgley
President, Australian Institute of Physics
president@aip.org.au |
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From left to right: Dr Danielle Holmes, Dr Sol H Jacobsen, A/Prof Karen Livesey, and Prof Susanna Guatelli at the awards presentation in Wollongong.
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Sparking quantum curiosity with spinning electrons and laser diffraction
Drs Danielle Holmes and Sol Jacobsen wrapped a hugely successful Marie Curie lecture series, with ten public lectures, talks to interested groups, and many school visits right across Australia.
Danni spoke on the history of quantum science and the hidden contributions by women. Sol focused on the role of “spintronics” to modernise our computing and energy needs.
Attendance increased this year, with Melbourne’s lecture attracting over 450 people.
“This was as close as I have come to feeling like physics celebrity!” Danni said about the tour.
“It became clear that people are yearning for a broad and full and frank discussion of the implications of quantum developments,” Sol said.
The medals and certificates were awarded by Professor Susanna Guatelli, a former Women in Physics medalist (2021) and current Head of School of Physics at University of Wollongong (UOW). Read more.
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Accelerating science (and everything else) with AI
Toby Walsh to give public lecture at the Summer Meeting.
Laureate Fellow and AI author, Scientia Professor Toby Walsh, will be giving the public lecture for the AIP’s Summer Meeting in Wollongong. Walsh will be presenting on the impact that AI will have on future science research. Please share widely and register for this free public event here. The Summer Meeting will be held from 1 to 5 December. Early bird registration has been extended until 24 September. Before registering, check out the “choose your own adventure” options for Wednesday 3 December. They include a visit to ANSTO, a physics in industry day, and a grant writing workshop.
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Asia-Pacific condensed matter conference coming to Wagga
The next Wagga condensed matter conference will run together with the 6th Asia-Pacific Conference on Condensed Matter Physics (AC2MP2026) on 9—13 February 2026 in Wagga Wagga.
Please send nominations for plenary and invited speakers to CMM-Wagga@aip.org.au.
Abstract submission opens 30 August. You can find more information here.
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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
The abstract submission deadline for the AIP Summer
Meeting has been extended until 1 September. Early bird registration closes
24 September. Read more.
The AIP ACT Branch photography competition, open to
all members nationally, closes 30 September. Submit your photo here.
Each university may nominate one student to compete for the
AIP NSW Branch 2025 Annual Postgraduate Awards. Students will make a 20-minute
presentation on their physics research. Two $500 prizes are available. Nominate by 11 October.
The 16th Asia Pacific Physics Conference
brings together physicists from across the region to discuss cutting edge
research and education in all areas of physics. Early bird registration closes
15 September. Read more.
Applications for the Enrico
Fermi Fellowships (EFF) are open. The Fellowships support exceptional
graduate students interested in working across theoretical and experimental
approaches. For up to €105,000 per year, apply by 19 October.
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Physics in the news
Astronomers get their first look deep inside a star during a
supernova explosion (ABC
News)
Big tech says AI could boost Australia’s economy by $115
billion a year. Does the evidence stack up? (The
Conversation)
New quantum state of matter found in quantum computing
material (Cosmos
magazine)
CSIRO could be facing
hundreds more job cuts this year, union warns (ABC
News)
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Lecturer of Applied Mathematics, Murdoch University
Teach at undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate levels, supervise honours, Masters, and HDR students, and make an independent contribution to research in Applied Mathematics.
Full-time, ongoing. $111,026 – $131,518 p.a. + 17% super.
Read more and apply by 23 September. |
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Academic in Applied Plasma Physics and Biointerface Engineering,
The University of Sydney
Apply to be a lecturer, senior lecturer, or associate professor in applied plasma physics and biointerface engineering. Establish an ambitious research program spanning the fields of plasma science and biomedical technologies and collaborate with SMART CRC, Soft Electronics Alliance, and Plasma Hub Australia.
Full-time, ongoing. $127,436 - $207,069 p.a. + 17% super. Read more and apply by 21 September. |
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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