The Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies (AAPPS) and the Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP) have jointly established the AAPPS-APCTP Chen-Ning Yang Award (C.N. Yang Award) to honor young researchers with prominent research achievements and to promote the development of leaders in physics in the Asia Pacific region. 

As a member society of the AAPPS, each AIP Group may make one nomination every year to this award. The deadline for nominations is 2 June 2025.

Are you planning on attending the AIP Summer Meeting this year? Join or upgrade now to ensure you are eligible for an AIP Student Travel Grant.

Higher degree students who have been financial members of the AIP for at least six months are eligible to apply for AIP Student Travel Grants of up to $500. Applicants must be presenting a paper (oral or poster) at a national or international level physics meeting in Australia and New Zealand, or an international physics meeting held outside Australasia.

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Please note that travel grants are not available to free student associates. Join or upgrade to full membership now to ensure that you are eligible for support to attend the 2025 AIP Summer Meeting! Financial members of the AIP are also eligible for discounted registration to AIP events, receive physical copies of Australian Physics magazine, voting rights and many other member benefits.

Join or upgrade

The Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) is proud to support and inspire the next generation of physicists. We are offering FREE back issues of Australian Physics magazine to school teachers who wish to recognize and reward students excelling in or passionate about physics.

Complete your details below to have a set of FREE back issues sent to your school.

Claim your free issues here

Please note:

• Open to school teachers across Australia
• Your postal address must be able to receive parcels sent via Australia Post
• Issues will be randomly selected based on available stock
• Free issues are limited to one set/satchel per school per year

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Walter Boas Medal, Bragg Gold Medal and Thomas H. Laby Medal.

The deadline for nominations is 1 April 2025. Please note that all nominations must be submitted online to the national AIP.

The Walter Boas Medal is awarded for original research that makes an important contribution to physics in Australia. This prestigious award is given for research that has been carried out in Australia in the last five years. Nominations are open to current AIP members. 

The Bragg Gold Medal recognises the most outstanding PhD thesis in physics by a student from an Australian University. The Thomas H Laby Medal is awarded for the best Honours or Masters thesis from an Australian university. Nominations for student awards must be submitted by the university that awarded the nominee's degree. Nominations are first assessed by the State branches, who shortlist candidates for consideration by the national level selection panel. 

The 2025 AIP Summer Meeting will be held 1 to 5 December at the University of Wollongong, showcasing the work of the Australian physics community.

You are invited to submit recommendations for the following:

Plenary and invited speakers for topical groups:

Email summer-meeting-2025@aip.org.au by 5 March 2025.

Focus sessions: showcasing emerging research topics of significant interest to the Australian physics community. Your proposal can be either on a specific emerging field or incorporate multiple fields related to a common theme.

Sessions typically consist of at least 3 speakers and can include non-traditional elements such as panel or group discussions.

Email summer-meeting-2025@aip.org.au by 15 March 2025.

Please include:

• Title
• Abstract
• Session chair/s
• Potential invited speakers with an indication that you have identified speakers to ensure diversity of gender, career stage, and location within Australia
• Recent scientific highlights from the potential invited speakers

Congratulations to AIP member Dr Stephen McAndrew from NSW, who has won a free 1-year membership for contributing to our recent member survey.

Our thanks to all those who participated. Your feedback is extremely valuable in helping us to improve and grow.

Although the prize draw is now closed, you can still send us your feedback until 16 March 2025.

Send us feedback

After two years as President, Professor Nicole Bell welcomed Dr Stuart Midgley into the role at the AIP’s AGM on Monday 4 Feb.

“As I reflect on my time as President, I am particularly proud of our efforts to raise the profile of the AIP, to promote the value of fundamental research, and to work in partnership with others in the STEM sector on issues of common concern.” 

“It is particularly pleasing to see the AIP play a productive role in conversations on changes at the ARC, the National Science Priorities, the teaching of high school maths, and principles for international scientific collaboration.”

“I’d like to thank all members of the AIP Executive for the hard work they have put in to make this happen.”

AIP is grateful for the excellent leadership Prof Bell and the volunteer committee provided for the past two years and excited for the next chapter with Dr Midgley who, up until recently, served as Vice President of AIP.

“2025 is the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and the AIP is leading the charge in Australia.  We are well placed to take advantage of this next quantum revolution and the AIP plans to highlight the wonderful research, industry and enthusiasm for quantum in Australia.”

I encourage all members and physicists to hold, promote and engage with events around the country and help communities start their quantum journey,” said Dr Midgley

See all current committee members here.

This article was first published by Cosmos.

The quantum bee’s wings and the quantum choose-your-own-adventure are the first two winning entries of the CSIRO’s Double Helix Extra, Cosmos Magazine, and the AIP’ s challenge: Explain quantum physics to kids aged 12-14.

The judges looked for two main qualities in the entries: scientific accuracy and the ability to engage a young audience.

They said: “Quantum mechanics can often be seen as an intimidating and abstract subject, but it’s really just a different perspective on the world around us.

“The strongest submissions captured this perspective effectively, presenting the science in a way that was both clear and captivating.

“They managed to simplify intricate concepts while staying true to the facts, encouraging students to think differently and explore further.

“We were impressed by the creativity and dedication in every entry, and it’s clear that there’s a strong passion for making science accessible and exciting for young learners.”

The President of the AIP, Nicole Bell, was delighted to see the positive response to the Quantum Explained Challenge.

“We set out to challenge participants to explain quantum mechanics in a way that would resonate with school students, and the effort we saw was impressive,” Prof Bell says.

“The competition highlighted how powerful it can be to present complex science in an approachable and engaging manner.

“It’s been inspiring to see so many creative ways to make quantum physics relatable, and I’m excited to see how these ideas will help spark curiosity in young minds.”

A pioneer in gravitational wave theory and mathematical physics, Distinguished Professor Susan Scott’s groundbreaking work has influenced the global scientific community and inspired a new generation of researchers.

AIP Fellow Prof Scott (Australian National University) has been awarded the George Szekeres Medal of the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS).

The George Szekeres Medal is the most prestigious award of the AustMS. She is only the third woman to be awarded it, the second person (first woman) from ANU.

The medal was awarded in the opening ceremony of the joint meetings of the AustMS, American Mathematical Society, and New Zealand Mathematical Society held in Auckland in December 2024.

Read more about Prof Susan Scott and the Medal here.

Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop is a pioneer in the exploitation of the mechanical action of light: radiation pressure, photon momentum, and electrical and magnetic forces.

Her research has been a significant driver of new physics and new technologies in biomedicine.

AIP Fellow Prof Rubinsztein-Dunlop (University of Queensland) has been awarded the SPIE Gold Medal for innovations in the transfer of optical angular momentum to matter.

This Medal is the highest honour the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers bestows.

Read more about Prof Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop and the Medal here.

We invite you to be part of this transformative initiative celebrating quantum science. Here’s how you can get involved:

Plan and register your events

Host your own Quantum Year event and use our branding to amplify your efforts. Register early to collaborate with others and avoid scheduling conflicts and create buzz for your event and the Year.

Register here: https://quantum2025.org.au/calendar/community/add

View events: https://quantum2025.org.au/events

Branding: https://quantum2025.org.au/resources

Join our committees

Help shape activities in your state by joining your local AIP branch’s Quantum Year planning committee. Please contact us if you’d like to get involved in local activities.

Partner with us

Support Quantum Year through sponsorship and help us deliver:

• Grants, lecture tours, and industry events.
• Publications celebrating Australian quantum science.

Packages start at $5,000. Learn more: quantum2025.org.au/partners.

Stay connected

Visit the AIP Quantum Year website quantum2025.org.au for updates, subscribe to the Quantum Year Bulletin, and follow AIP social media using #QuantumYear.

For sponsorship or event registration queries, contact Niall Byrne: niall@scienceinpublic.com.au or Jacqui Tyack: jacqui@scienceinpublic.com.au.

Let’s make Quantum Year an incredible success!