The Australian-New Zealand Annual Condensed Matter and Materials Conference, colloquially known as “Wagga”, has been held almost annually at the Charles Sturt University Conference Centre, Wagga Wagga, NSW, since 1977.

In February 2026, Wagga will attract an international delegation from the Asia Pacific region. Catch up and hear recent advances in condensed matter research from Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

The AIP is a member of the Association of Asia Pacific Physics Societies (AAPPS), supporting physics research and collaboration throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2021, the AIP has also had representation on the executive committee of the AAPPS subgroup, the Division of Condensed Matter Physics.

Read more about the conference here.

The school theme for National Science Week in August 2025 is ‘Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language’.

Students and teachers across Australia are invited to delve into the mysteries of the Universe by exploring the fundamental languages of nature, including mathematics and quantum science.

Aligned with Quantum Year and the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), which is being hosted in Australia, this theme serves as a bridge between basic science education and the exploration of specialised topics.

“Decoding the Universe” will empower educators to inspire and engage students by exploring the mathematics and quantum science that underpin both the natural world and the modern technologies we use every day, from photosynthesis to satellite navigation.

Read more about the theme announcement here.

Download the 2025 School Resource Book of Ideas for National Science Week here.

“Ocean temperatures and stored heat are rising at an accelerating rate, which cannot be explained by current climate models. However, quantum-thermal physics provides a mechanism to explain this acceleration. This mechanism predicts that the total stored heat and near surface temperatures will cease rising at ever faster rates only once the greenhouse gas content of the atmosphere stabilises.”

This is an excerpt of an article by Emeritus Professor Geoff Smith, from the University of Technology Sydney, on the quantum phenomena responsible for ocean warming. The full article appears in the next edition of Australian Physics, on its way to Member’s mailboxes next week.

The following excerpt by Professor Jared Cole, RMIT University, Associate Professor Trevor Finlayson, the University of Melbourne, and Dr Kirrily Rule, ANSTO, reflects on the status of Australian condensed matter research.

“Research in this area is recognised for its remarkable depth and breadth, driven by a strong desire to establish Australia as a major player on the global stage of cutting-edge research. This article considers some of the ingredients that are key to the success of condensed matter physics in Australia, both historically and into the future.”

Members receive the Australian Physics magazine every quarter. Join the AIP to receive this and other benefits.

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.

More Information

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.

*NOTE: The Walter Boas Medal nominations deadline has been extended to 15 April.*

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.