Dear {Contact_First_Name},
The AIP congratulates members of our community who were nationally recognised last week through the Australia Day Honours:
- Michelle Simmons AC
- Phil Bland AO
- Adi Paterson AM
And Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first qualified astronaut under the Australian flag is the 2025 Australian of the Year.
These honours reflect the depth, relevance and national value of physics in Australia today. |
|
|
The AIP Summer Meeting in December brought together researchers, educators, students and industry for a week of scientific exchange and community connection. It was great to see a full Industry Day, which was opened by Katherine Bennell-Pegg. Katherine spoke about strengthening Australia’s space industry, the role of physics in sovereign capability, and the importance of inspiring students into STEM careers.
During the meeting, we started a critical conversation with the ‘Future of Australian Physics Forum’. A range of issues were discussed, including the decline in students undertaking high-level maths and physics in years 11 and 12. This was the start of the conversation, expect to hear and see more activity in this area during 2026.
I also enjoyed the Wednesday format, allowing people to participate in a range of activities, including an ECR grant writing workshop and visit to ANSTO. It was fantastic to visit Wollongong and I congratulate Kirrily, Susanna and the whole organising committee for a great meeting.
Plans for the 2026 AIP Congress are progressing well. We will bringing the community together at The University of Sydney from 7–11 December 2026. Start thinking about your papers, posters, talks and networking! If you have any suggestions for sponsorship of the congress, please let us know.
The AIP Annual General Meeting will be on 16 February 2026. I encourage you to consider nominating for a state or national role as we collectively shape the future of physics in Australia.
Perhaps the most critical role is the Honorary Secretary, which forms the backbone of the AIP. The person fulfilling this role gains enormous exposure and contact with the whole Australian physics community and stakeholders. If you would like to take on this role, please contact me directly - email address below.
Finally, as I asked at the opening of the Summer Meeting in December, how can you use your position and influence to lobby and promote Australian physics and encourage organisations to have a Chief Physicist?
Stu Midgley
President, Australian Institute of Physics
president@aip.org.au |
|
|
|
|
Australia Day Honours
The Australian physics community was celebrated with the announcement of the Australia Day Honours. Michelle Simmons AC, Scientia Professor and AIP Honorary Fellow, was recognised for eminent service to quantum physics and nanotechnology, atomic-scale engineering, technology innovation and commercialisation, and STEM education.
Phil Bland AO, was honoured for distinguished service to planetary and space science, meteorite research and tertiary education, including founding the Desert Fireball Network and the Space Science and Technology Centre at Curtin University - home to the largest group of planetary scientists in the Southern Hemisphere.
Adrian “Adi" Paterson AM, was also recognised for significant service to science in the field of nuclear technology, alongside his leadership in diversity in STEM and science communication. As CEO of ANSTO, he led the operation of the OPAL research reactor, expanded Australia’s nuclear medicine and isotope production capabilities, and strengthened national research infrastructure through the integration of the Australian Synchrotron.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first qualified astronaut under the Australian flag, space engineer and STEM ambassador was voted 2025 Australian of the Year. More on Katherine in our Summer meeting.
|
|
|
Summer Meeting wrap-up
The AIP Summer Meeting hosted by University of Wollongong offered a rich mix of scientific exchange, professional development and community building. Poster presentations showcased the breadth of Australian physics research, while strong sponsor support enabled standout events across the program, from student travel awards and undergraduate engagement to plenary sessions, industry forums and teacher-focused activities. Highlights included the Public Lecture by Professor Toby Walsh on accelerating science with AI, the Women in Physics Diversity and Inclusion Breakfast, and the Future of Australian Physics Forum, which brought the community together to reflect on the discipline’s direction and impact.
Mid-week programming departed from the traditional conference format with a “choose your own adventure” afternoon, offering delegates the chance to tour ANSTO, engage with future space technologies during Physics in Industry Day, or build skills at an Early Career Researcher grant-writing workshop led by former ARC College of Experts members. Student-focused events including postgraduate awards, networking sessions and social activities reinforced the meeting’s strong emphasis on the next generation, while the Teachers Breakfast closed the week by spotlighting collaboration across schools, universities and the physics community to sustain student engagement in physics.
Opening the AIP Industry Day: Future Space Technologies, Katherine Bennell-Pegg. spoke to the importance of strengthening Australia’s space industry and the critical role physics plays in enabling innovation and sovereign capability. As a physics graduate, she highlighted how her undergraduate training shaped her career, offering a powerful message to students considering STEM pathways. Thank you, AIP committee members and AIP Summer Meeting Co-Chairs, Professor Kirrily Rule, ANSTO and Professor Susanna Guatelli, University of Wollongong, for your leadership and the countless volunteer hours you have dedicated to strengthening the Australian physics community during the 2025 Summer Meeting.
|
|
|
AIP AGM
All members of the AIP are invited to attend the online Annual General Meeting on Monday 16 February 2026 from 5:30-6:30 pm AEDT.
All members are welcome and encouraged to attend. The AGM will be held on Zoom. Details will be provided after registration. Register here.
|
|
|
ARC Centres of Excellence
New ARC Centres of Excellence are being established, underpinned by physics. These new centres will strengthen Australia’s leadership in research, capability and innovation.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Performance and Integration (UNSW): Overcoming scientific barriers to scalable, reliable quantum computers and unlocking the full potential of quantum technologies.
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security and Trust (MathQuEST) (University of Sydney): Building expertise to secure Australia’s digital future in the age of quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Advanced Peptide and Protein Engineering (CAPE) (University of Sydney): Transforming the engineering of peptides and proteins for human and planetary benefit, leveraging artificial intelligence and automation.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Our Future Oceans (UNSW): Understanding and managing the changing oceans to support marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and a thriving blue economy.
We congratulate the successful Centres and look forward to seeing the impact of this important national investment as a strong foundation for physics. Read more.
|
|
|
Nuclear and Particle Physics Summer School
Over fifty postgraduate students from nuclear and particle physics came together in January for the NUPP Postgraduate Summer School, which returned to the AIP events schedule for the first time in two decades. Hosted at the UNSW Kensington campus, with thanks to the UNSW Nuclear Innovation Centre as Platinum Sponsor. Students attended a week‑long program of lectures and workshops delivered by Australian experts across topics in theory, experiment, technology and simulations. Read more.Image credit: Georgia Barrington-Smith, Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vale Peter Robertson and Dr Robert Fleming
The AIP extends condolences to the family and friends of AIP Fellows Peter Robertson in November 2025 and Dr Robert Fleming in January 2026. Peter Robertson studied science at the University of Melbourne before pursuing a career as a science editor and writer, working with CSIRO Publishing as managing editor of the Australian Journal of Physics, and as an editor of the AIP’s Australian Physics Magazine, and ASA’s society peer-reviewed journal, PASA. He also published a book on the birth of quantum physics followed by Beyond Southern Skies-Radio Astronomy and the Parkes Telescope. Read more about Peter from CSIRO and the ABC. Dr Robert Fleming was a career physicist, including more than 30 years at Monash University in the School of Physics. He was also on the editorial board of the IEEE Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society (DEIS).
|
|
|
Renew or upgrade your AIP Membership
Have you finished your undergraduate degree and pursuing postgraduate studies? If so, congratulations! Upgrade your membership to Member with full-time student to access all the benefits of a financial member of the AIP, for a fraction of the cost.
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. To upgrade your membership, login to your AIP member profile, and click Change next to your Membership Level.
|
|
|
Still completing your undergraduate studies? Student Associate renewals are due 1 March. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coming up in Australian Physics Magazine
The next edition of Australian Physics is out this month. We mark the 50-year milestone of the Australasian Radiation Protection Society, alongside feature articles on probing stellar evolution through open clusters, quantum sensing using nitrogen vacancy defects in diamonds, and this year’s Year 12 submission exploring the magneto-optic Faraday effect. The #PhysicsGotMeHere section showcases diverse career pathways, from lasers and optics in diamond exploration, treatment and grading, to a transition from astrophysics to bioinformatics improving cancer patient outcomes, highlighting the many unexpected ways physics shapes careers. The magazine is available online and by post to members.
|
|
|
News and opportunities
We are taking applications for an Honorary Secretary, to help guide the AIP’s strategic direction. If you’d like to make a difference and help shape the future of physics in Australia submit your nomination to executive@aip.org.au by COB Friday 13 February. Find out more.
The AIP Victorian Branch is seeking nominations for the roles of Branch Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer. These positions offer the opportunity to contribute to the physics community and develop leadership experience within the AIP. Submit a brief expression of interest to secretary@vic.aip.org.au by COB 15 February.
Planning is underway for the 2026 AIP Congress, and now is the time to get involved. Members are invited to help shape the event by sharing ideas for initiatives, activities and discussions. If you have an idea you would like to contribute, please get in touch at: chair@congress.aip.org.au
In February, John Monash Science School in Melbourne is hosting the International Young Physicists' Tournament, IYPT Australia 2026, sometimes referred to as the Physics World Cup. This annual physics team competition for high school students from all over the world is on 20-22 February 2026.
The Australian Academy of Science Pawsey Medal recognises outstanding research in physics by scientists up to 10 years post-PhD. Nominations open mid-February 2026.
Showcase your cutting-edge work at the Quantum Australia conference, Adelaide. Poster submissions are now open until 7 February 2026.
|
|
|
Deteqt is hiring a photonics engineer to own the optical excitation & fluorescence readout for diamond-on-chip quantum sensors, from architecture and modelling through to manufacturable hardware. Apply by 6 Feb. |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Thank you to our supporters
|
|
|
Our mailing address is: Australian Institute of Physics, PO Box 73, Parkville 3052, VIC Australia
You are being sent this bulletin since you applied to be a free student associate of the Australian Institute of Physics. Students (undergraduate or postgraduate) in physics courses in Australia are eligible to be a free student associate.Any student with an AIP-accredited physics degree (or equivalent) is eligible to be a Member full-time student, for a greatly reduced membership fee, with benefits such as eligibility for prizes. For more details see here. Any questions? Email aip@aip.org.au.
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. |
|
|
If you no longer wish to receive these emails you can unsubscribe at any time. |
|
|
|
