On Monday evening 9 November the NSW branch of the AIP hosted a Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at the University of Sydney. The event was also sponsored by gemaker and the School of Physics at the University of Sydney, with support from Wikimedia Australia.

Wikipedia trainers Alice Woods (Wikimedia employee), Melanie Zeppel and Annie Reynolds helped 30 registered people edit over 32 pages, adding 120 references so far.

The focus was on Australian women in physics. Women make up 20% of all biographies on Wikipedia and their pages are almost twice as likely to be removed.

Attendees enjoyed refreshments and meeting people in the physics community. Then they put their heads down to search for solid evidence to support statements on Wikipedia pages.

Thanks to AIP national secretary Noel Hanna and AIP operations manager Karen Siu for attending to support this NSW branch event.

The following day the trainers traveled to ANSTO at Lucas Heights (south Sydney) to deliver a smaller workshop to AIP members there.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are awarded for demonstrated achievements in:

• scientific research
• research-based innovation
• the practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
• excellence in science teaching.

Prize recipients receive national recognition for their work, and are important role models whose achievements benefit Australia and the rest of the world.

Nominees can’t self-nominate. They need champions across our universities, research institutes, industries, schools and communities to put them forward. So, start preparing your nomination early and don’t miss the closing date.

• Nominations open: Thursday 5 November 2026.
• Stage 1 nominations close: Thursday 7 January 2027, 5:00pm AEDT.
• Stage 2 (shortlisted nominations only) open: mid-April 2027.
• Stage 2 (shortlisted nominations only) close: early May 2027.

Find out more at industry.gov.au/PMPrizes

It is with deep sadness that the AIP shares the passing of Honorary Fellow, Professor David John Booth.

Professor Booth made an extraordinary contribution to the physics profession in Australia—not only through his pioneering work in optics and higher education leadership at Footscray Institute of Technology (later part of Victoria University), and Swinburne University, but also through his service to the AIP.

As AIP Registrar from 1993 to 2001, Professor Booth was was responsible for implementation of the AIP Accreditation Program which continues to uphold standards in physics education in Australia. These outstanding achievements were recognised in 2003 with Professor Booth's elevation to the AIP's highest honor, Honorary Fellowship.

A funeral service will be held at the Boyd Chapel, Springvale Cemetery, 600 Princes Highway, Springvale, on Monday 9 November 2026 at 9.30 am. For those unable to attend, the service will also be webcast here. 

In accordance with Professor Booth's preferences, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières Australia.

The AAPPS Bulletin, the official journal of the Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies (AAPPS), welcomes submissions of high-quality research and review articles covering all areas of physics.

Published by Springer Nature as an open-access journal, the AAPPS Bulletin provides an international platform for communicating significant advances in physics, with a particular emphasis on promoting scientific excellence and collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region.

The journal is indexed in Scopus and the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), and received its first Journal Impact Factor of 5.9 in 2025.

The AAPPS Bulletin aims to establish itself as a leading broad-scope physics journal representing the Asia-Pacific scientific community. Australian physicists are particularly encouraged to contribute to this growing international platform and help strengthen the visibility and impact of physics research across the region.

The AAPPS Bulletin is covered by the 2026–2028 open-access publishing agreement between Springer Nature and the Council of Australasian University Librarians (CAUL). Eligible corresponding authors at participating Australian universities can publish research and review articles without paying article processing charges. Authors should use their institutional email address when submitting.

More Information and Submission Details

To ensure our membership fees remain as low and accessible as possible, starting in 2027, financial Student Members and retired/overseas Associate Members will receive digital-only access to our quarterly magazine, Australian Physics.

Alongside digital access to every issue, these membership levels will continue to enjoy all other financial member benefits, including discounted event registration, eligibility for awards and student travel grants, and much more. For members who prefer to receive the magazine in printed form, physical copies remain standard with full (non-concessional) memberships, which are completely unchanged.

View the full list of member benefits here.

The Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) has conducted an external accreditation review of the Applied Physics degree programme at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology 

Prof. Martin Sevior, Prof. John Holdsworth and Dr. Peter Jarvis recently visited the university to evaluate the programme's curriculum, laboratory infrastructure, teaching methods, and overall student learning outcomes against internationally recognised standards. The review included in-depth discussions with academic staff and students, inspections of experimental facilities, and an evaluation of how students apply theoretical concepts to practical, real-world problems.

Professor Martin Sevior, Chair of the AIP Assessment Panel, highlighted the indispensable role of direct, on-campus assessment in rigorous quality assurance:

"What we want to do in this visit is to validate that what’s written on paper is actually what’s happening on the ground."

The review marks a major milestone for the AIP's regional education partnerships. Prof. Tim McIntyre, the AIP’s Accreditation Manager, noted the significance of extending accreditation activities beyond Australia:

"This is the AIP’s first accreditation in PNG, and we are pleased to be able to support our near neighbours in holding up high standards of physics education across the region."

Following the site visit, the panel will submit its formal findings to the AIP Accreditation Committee for evaluation. This milestone underscores the AIP’s expanding role as a regional benchmark for academic quality, helping partner institutions build robust physics programs that align with global standards. Members of the physics community interested in contributing to quality assurance and educational standards are encouraged to reach out to aip@aip.org.au.

Photo credits: 
Top right: Members of the Accreditation Panel interact with PNG UoT students during laboratory classes, image courtesy PNG UoT
Bottom right: Dr David Kolkoma (Head of School) and Prof Felix Pereira (Post-Graduate Coordinator) welcome the panel, image courtesy Peter Jarvis

Spanning multiple states and territories - and culminating in a final homecoming leg through Tasmania - this year’s Women in Physics Lecturer, Dr Karelle Siellez, has recently wrapped up the 2026 Marie Curie Lecture tour.

Their captivating presentation, “Painting the Universe: A Visual and Musical Exploration of Space-Time,” delved into multi-messenger astronomy, gravitational waves, and the cosmic collisions responsible for forging the heavy elements of the universe. Ranging from public lectures to specialized 'Girls in Physics' breakfasts and school visits, through academic research colloquia, this extensive reach inspired a diverse community of future scientists, students, and space enthusiasts alike.

This year's tour achieved an unprecedented reach, drawing an estimated 2500 attendees across Australia. This success was made possible in large part by the vital support of the Australian Government's Inspiring Australia initiative. The AIP is grateful for their generous backing which enabled enhanced streaming and recording capabilities, allowing regional classrooms, families, and science enthusiasts to join the events virtually.

For those who couldn't attend the live sessions in person or catch the livestreams, we are pleased to make a full recording of Karelle’s lecture available online. 

Visit the official Marie Curie Lecture Tour website to watch the video, learn more about the tour, and explore videos from previous years. You can also join our mailing list to stay informed on future speaker announcements and events.

Applications are open for the AMSI Specialist Maths Highschool Scholarships for Girls.

The AMSI Specialist Maths High School Scholarships for Girls 2027/28 is open to current year 10 girls Australia-wide, who intend to study Specialist Maths, or accepted equivalent in NSW and Tasmania in year 11 in 2027 and year 12 in 2028.

Scholarship recipients will have access to support from the AMSI maths teaching specialists, the opportunity to attend AMSI programs, meet current university maths students and industry partners – to be inspired by all that continuing to study maths has to offer. You can read about previous recipients here.

Scholarships are for two-years, valued at $3000 per year, and awarded in our donor names. In 2027/28 we have De Vere-Hudson and Jane Street Scholarships.

Scholarship applications close 11 November.

More Information

Applications are now open for the 2027 CSIRO Alumni Scholarship in Physics.

The $6,000 travel scholarship aims to connect the brightest young physicists or mathematicians to a leading research centre overseas or in Australia.

Research in physics and mathematics is fundamental for Australia’s future. The founders of this scholarship know that early experience in leading overseas laboratories greatly benefits the graduate embarking on a research career and Australian science.

Applications close: Friday 27 November 2026

More Information

The American Institute of Physics John T. Tate Medal for International Leadership in Physics nomination deadline has been extended to November 1, 2026.

The Tate Medal recognizes distinguished physicists for international leadership, statesmanship, and service to the physics community, rather than for research accomplishment. First awarded in 1960, the medal honors physicists who are non-U.S. nationals and whose service has made an important contribution to the international physics community.

Of particular importance are contributions that advance international understanding, cooperation, and exchange in physics. Examples of such service include, but are not limited to:

• Promoting or administering international or joint research initiatives;
• Organizing exceptionally successful international conferences or programs; and
• Establishing or improving scientific publications;
• Other forms of leadership and service that strengthen international collaboration within the physical sciences.

The Tate Medal is awarded biennially in odd-numbered years and consists of a certificate, bronze medal, and $10,000 award. The medalist is expected to receive the award in person, with travel expenses reimbursed by American Institute of Physics. 

More Information