Congratulations to all 2024 postgraduate nominees for their outstanding presentations at AIPNSW’s recent Postgraduate Awards Day.

Ultra-low-watt lasers for intersatellite communication -
Callum Sambridge, Australian National University, won the Best Postgraduate Presentation. Callum received the 2024 AIP Crystal Postgraduate figurine and a $500 prize.

Developing the first map of the “galactic underworld” -
David Sweeney, University of Sydney, won the Royal Society of NSW Jak Kelly Award.

The other nominees also gave fantastic presentations:

• Meghna Mukesh Menon, Macquarie University
• James Cullen, UNSW Sydney
• Amar Salih, University of Technology Sydney
• Chloe Wilkins, University of Newcastle
• James Cayley, University of Wollongong

These awards were created to encourage excellence in postgraduate work. All nominees who participated in the Postgraduate Awards Day received the Special AIPNSW Plaque recognising the nominee’s high standing.

Back row, left to right: James Cayley, Amar Salih, James Cullen.
Front row, left to right: Callum Sambridge, David Sweeney, Chloe Wilkins, Meghna Mukesh Menon.

The Australian Institute of Physics New South Wales Branch has instituted this annual prize awarded to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the branch, and the NSW physics community in general, over an extended period.

The AIP NSW Branch’s new Service Award will be presented each year at the NSW Branch Presidents’ Dinner. The 2024 Presidents’ Dinner, held in September, recognised four outstanding AIP educators. Congratulations to our award recipients on the amazing work you do to give our profession a bright future.

Associate Professor Matthew Arnold MAIP, who joined the committee in 2014 and was AIPNSW Chair in 2016-2017.

Professor Michael Lerch FAIP, who joined the committee in 2004 and was AIPNSW Chair in 2006-2007 and 2022-2023.

Dr Scott Martin FAIP, who joined the committee in 2005 and was AIPNSW Chair in 2012-2013 and 2020-2021.

Dr Graeme Melville FAIP, who joined the committee in 1998 and was AIPNSW Chair in 2010-2011 and 2014-2015.

The AIP NSW Branch continues to increase the profile of physics within industry, academia, and the wider general community. This success is possible through the hard work and dedication of the awardees, over many years of service to the Branch by leading the Committee as Chair, Secretary, or Treasurer, or leading the Committee Portfolios in awards and events. The awardees have accomplished this all as passionate volunteers for over a decade.

For exceptional contributions to community physics outreach, Assoc. Prof. Karen Livesey, University of Newcastle, will receive the 2024 Community Outreach to Physics Award from the AIP NSW branch.

With expertise in magnetic nanomaterials, Karen is one of 60 national Superstars of STEM (Science and Technology Australia). She has made significant contributions to community outreach across the state and the nation, impacting a large number of diverse audiences through different platforms:

• High profile advocate of gender equity in physics, notably the 2023-24 Superstar of STEM, 2023 AIP Women in Physics Lecturer, and coordinator of the 2024 WIP tour
• National level media engagements promoting e.g. Science Meets Parliament and articles for the conversation
• Mentorship of young scientists via programs such as 

  the National Youth Science Forum and the AINSE Women in STEM national conference

The Community Outreach to Physics Award is given annually by the NSW AIP branch to an individual that engages in activities that involve our community and contribute to public engagement with physics.

Karen will receive a $1,000 monetary award, and a framed certificate at the 2024 NSW Branch President’s Dinner Presentation Ceremony on Friday 6 September.

More about Karen’s outreach achievements.

Coming up at the AIP NSW Branch:

AIP NSW Community Outreach to Physics Award. Nominations close on 5 July.

Know an excellent communicator of physics who has contributed greatly to outreach and physics education in NSW? Nominate them for the 2024 NSW Community Outreach to Physics Award. More information and nominate.

AIP NSW Branch student awards. Acknowledge your best students by nominating them for the 2024 AIP NSW Branch student awards. Each physics institution in NSW is invited to nominate physics students. Various closing dates. More information and nominate.

AIP Women in Physics Lecture Tour is coming to Wollongong in National Science Week! Prof Susan Coppersmith presents “What do theoretical physicists do?” on 12 August. Registrations now open.

AIP Einstein Lecture in Sydney on 13 August. From the celestial ballet of exploding supernovae to the cosmic whispers of gravitational waves, acclaimed astrophysicist Prof Tamara Davis’ journey through the cosmos promises to captivate and inspire. Register here.

AIP NSW Branch Annual Presidents’ Dinner in Sydney on 23 August. Join us in an evening of celebration, networking, and recognition for the 3rd annual joint Presidents’ Dinner between the NSW Branches of the AIP and RACI. Our members and guests will be treated to a generous 3-course meal and a line-up of exceptional presenters. Registrations open soon. Check the More info.

Physics in the Pub night in Sydney on 27 August. See physics-related comedy, demonstrations, and quizzes at AIP NSW branch’s 2024 Physics in the Pub night. Hosted by Dr Phil Dooley of Phil Up on Science. More info and RSVP here.

LAZSTA Science Conference in Wollongong on 13 - 14 September. Register here. Accreditation: The conference will have at least 4 hours PER day registered for accreditation purposes.

The World Recognition Awards honour educators with the World Teachers' Recognition Award who have made a wonderful contribution in advancing the education profession. Nominations close 28 September. Nominate here.

STEM Education and Industry Forum in Sydney on 30 September. Registrations are now open.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 AIP NSW Branch Research Poster Presentations held on 8 April.

PhD winner: Albany Asher
PhD runner-up: Elizabeth Arcadi
PhD runner-up: Oliver Oayda.
Masters winner: Zachary Smeaton.

Thank you to all our Industry Sponsors that contributed to bringing this event together: ArcherX, Boson Engineering, and Diraq.

AIP Postgraduate Awards Information - Tuesday 12 November 2024.docx

The nomination form for the 2024 Community Outreach Award can be downloaded here:

2024 AIPNSW Community Outreach to Physics Award.docx

The NSW Australian Institute of Physics Branch congratulates all the 2023 postgraduate nominees on their outstanding presentations at the Annual AIP NSW Postgraduate Awards event on Tuesday 14 November 2023, held at the Concord Golf Club.

Award winners:

• The winner of the AIP Postgraduate Presentation for 2023 was Jacob Johnstone, University of Newcastle. Jacob received the 2023 AIP Crystal Postgraduate figurine, and a $500 award from the Australian Institute of Physics. 
• The winner of the Royal Society of NSW Jak Kelly Award for 2023 was  Jaime Andreas Alvardo-Monte, Macquarie University. Jaime received the 2023 Jak Kelly Award prize from the Royal Society of NSW. The Royal Society of New South Wales congratulates Jaime on this outstanding achievement.
• Dr Renee Goreham, Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle received the Community Outreach to Physics Award.

The AIP, RACI and RSNSW congratulates all the Postgraduate students for their outstanding presentations!

See the full presentation report and photos from the event. 

Thank you to the Australian Institute of Physics NSW Branch, The Royal Australian Chemical Institute, The Royal Society of New South Wales and Laboratories Credit Union (LCU) for their support to these awards. 

For exceptional contributions to community physics outreach, Dr Renee Goreham, Physics Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, will receive the 2023 Community Outreach to Physics Award from the AIP NSW branch.

With expertise in nanotechnology for biomedical applications, Renee has a demonstrated passion and skill for communicating the wonders of physics to people of all ages, and has built new programs to do so.

She has made significant contributions in three areas of physics outreach:

• increasing the media representation of women in physics
• building grassroots programs to excite rural school students about physics
• and coordinating programs to engage school students with the university.

The Community Outreach to Physics Award is given annually by the NSW AIP branch to an individual that engages in activities that involve our community and contribute to public engagement with physics.

Renee will receive a $1,000 monetary award, and a framed certificate at the AIP NSW Postgraduate Awards Ceremony on 14 November.  

More about Renee’s outreach achievements.

The NSW Australian Institute of Physics Branch congratulates the 2023 postgraduate nominees on their accepted presentations for the upcoming Annual AIP NSW Postgraduate Awards event on Tuesday 14 November 2023 at the Concord Golf Club, 190 Majors Bay Road commencing from 10am sharp. 

Further details are provided in the awards schedule, which includes abstracts and times of all presentations.

Presenters will have the opportunity to compete for the AIPNSW Postgraduate medal and the RSNSW Jak Kelly prize which will be announced on the day.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free event to support the presenters.

Event Schedule:

Presentations at the Concord Golf Club commencing from 10.00am

Presentation of Awards and Prizes commencing from 1.15pm

See further details regarding the Schedule on page 5

This event is proudly sponsored by the Australian Institute of Physics NSW Branch, The Royal Australian Chemical Institute and The Royal Society of New South Wales.