Welcome to the final bulletin for 2020 and my final bulletin as AIP president. At our council meeting in February 2021 I will step aside as we welcome Professor Sven Rogge (UNSW Physics) as incoming president, and Professor Nicole Bell (UniMelb Physics) as vice president.
I wish them all the very best. I’m thrilled that the AIP has such a solid leadership team moving forward. Also, can I say what an honour and privilege it was to serve in this role. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard over the past few years to make the AIP so strong.

Last month saw some significant awards and appointments, not the least of which was the welcome news that former AIP president Dr Cathy Foley is set to become Australia’s next Chief Scientist. See our story below.
The AIP was also proud to be co-sponsor of this year’s Dirac Medal, which was presented to Professor Susan Scott from ANU’s Department of Quantum Science.
ANSTO’s new Centre for Accelerator Science has a new leader, Dr Ceri Brenner.
You’ll find more about her, Professor Scott and a slew of other physicists doing marvellous things in this issue.
You’ll also get to meet this month’s Hidden Physicist – Tasmania’s Nicola Ramm – and catch up on the latest physics research happening around the country.
Plus, there are some jobs to be found, and another story from the Australian Physicist vaults.
And a reminder that it’s time to renew your AIP membership. For a quick and easy way to do so, please go here.
Finally, this month’s picture was taken for a media release on making diamonds at room temperature. You’ll find the story below.
I wish you a relaxed and enjoyable holiday period, and sincerely hope that 2021 will be a calmer year for us all.
Kind regards,
Jodie Bradby
President, Australian Institute of Physics
aip_president@aip.org.au