The Australian Institute of Physics would like to congratulate all recipients of the recently announced ARC Future Fellowships and Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards, and express commiserations to those who were unsuccessful in this round. It was great to see 7 Future Fellowships and 11 DECRAs awarded in Physical Sciences this year. These projects are vital to the continued development of Australia’s outstanding physics community and provide excellent career opportunities for those selected. We are excited to see where these projects take Physics in Australia.

Equity and diversity issues must be taken seriously, says the ANU School of Physics.

In a statement, the school says its staff and students “aim to create a culture where our staff and students can work and study in an inclusive environment regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion.”

More details here.

Time is running out to take part in a survey to forge policy futures for quantum technology in Australia.

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems wants to hear from Australia-based quantum researchers, industry stakeholders and associated professionals about the ethical and policy challenges posed by quantum technologies. Have your say by completing a short set of questions here.

Deadline for taking part is August 20.

More information about the project is available on the UQ SMP website.

Unlocking the secrets of rock physics through seismic surveys has earned Curtin University scientist Boris Gurevich a major award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG).

Distinguished Professor Gurevich was presented with the Reginald Fessenden Award, for individuals who have made major contributions to exploration geophysics, such as an invention or a theoretical or conceptual advancement.

The award recognised his work over several decades, which has helped usher in advancements in the exploration and monitoring of underground oil, gas and groundwater resources, and the geological storage of CO₂.

National Science Week runs from August 14 to 22 and, as always, physics is well represented around the nation.

Astrophysicists Professor Alan Duffy and Dr Rebecca Allen, for instance, will be giving guided tours of the universe courtesy of a virtual reality phone app.

Scientist and entertainer Rachel Rayner Science Explainer is gearing up to amuse, inform and entertain with a thrilling exploration of photons and quantum weirdness.

And actor Lauren Gunderson is preparing a stunning bio-play about Eighteenth Century physicist Emilie du Châtelet.

For a full rundown of physics fun head to the National Science Week website here . Make sure you double-check details, though. Lockdown conditions may move some events online.

We’re on the hunt for a beautiful graph or eye-catching laboratory photo to place on the banner of the AIP website through 2022. If you think your work or workplace captures an attractive physics aesthetic, send your image to us at aip@aip.org.au!

We recently merged our website with our membership database. If anyone has any saved links, you may find that they no longer work. Please login and have a look, aip.org.au. Let us know if there is anything missing or that you would like to see! 

There is also a new events page and a news page.

The Australian Physicist, now Australian Physics, has been produced by the AIP since 1964. It is the oldest science magazine in Australia.

Current editors Peter Kappen and David Hoxley are always on the hunt for material to include in forthcoming issues.

To that end, they also invite members to submit: 

• Pitches for articles describing current research;
• Physics-themed cartoons;
• Reviews of physics-themed books (they might even be able to get the book for you!);
• Physics poetry;
• Obituaries of recently passed members.

Proposals and finished items can be sent to aip_editor@aip.org.au

Two physicists are dropping in at schools in Queensland this month to deliver entertaining talks on converting hydrogen into humans and the hunt for new subatomic particles.

Dr Martin Springer, a theoretical physicist from the University of Queensland, will explore the physics of sustainability, and whether the Earth has enough resources to power 10 billion people.

Another University of Queensland physicist, Dr Jacinda Ginges, will explain the fun to be had in searching for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

The scientists – on separate tours – will variously visit schools in Mt Isa, Weipa, Buderim, Brisbane and Toowoomba, with new venues being added as you read this.

For more details head here.

Nominations are open for this year’s Postgraduate Medal, and the Jak Kelly Scholarship Prize. Both are open to physics students in NSW.

Entrants in the medal competition have to deliver a 20-minute presentation about their work, at the AIP’s Annual Postgraduate Awards Day, slated for Tuesday, November 9.

The Jak Kelly Scholarship prize, sponsored by the Royal Society if NSW, will be presented at the same event.

Both awards are worth $500. Nominations close on October 8.

For more details and nomination forms, get in touch with Dr Frederick Osman at fosman@bu.edu.