|
Director's Message
Dear Colleagues,
It is a huge pleasure to congratulate Dr Tim Gray (NPAA) on winning the 2021 Bragg Gold Medal from the Australian Institute of Physics, announced last week. This annual medal recognises the most outstanding physics PhD thesis by an Australian University student. The award is named after Sir Lawrence Bragg and his father Sir William Bragg, who jointly won the Nobel Prize for their work in x-ray crystallography. Notably, Tim’s thesis, “Electromagnetic Moments and Emerging Nuclear Collectivity near Z=50“ was also awarded the 2021 Jagadishwar Mahanty Award (see EH #34, 2021). Tim is currently on a postdoc with the Low Energy Nuclear Physics Experimental Program, Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Lab, Tennessee, USA. My congratulations to the other recipients of AIP Medals this year; 2021 TH Laby Medal - Ethan Payne (Monash University) and 2021 Walter Boas Medal – Professor Howard Wiseman (Griffith University).
Last Friday, Prof Elena Ostrovskaya (ADR/QST) posted to all academic staff notice of an ARC debriefing session to be run tomorrow, Wednesday, 9 February 2022 11:00 AM-12:30 PM (Zoom link). Elena will report on the detailed analysis from RSD and Assoc Dean (Research), Prof Penny King. I have invited three external guests, all with deep experience of Govt to discuss their insights into the recent direction the Govt is taking with grants. All staff and students are welcome.
At the end of 2021, to conclude the College of Science Recovery Plan I wrote to all academic staff to confirm the new Department structure. In that letter I outlined four cultural elements that will enact the change (a copy found here). Over the next few weeks the School Executive will be discussing these elements as a basis for starting to implement the Working Party reports. Last year we had too many discontinuities to permit the serious focus these reports deserve. My aim this year is to renew our collective consideration of the Working Party deliberations and I will be developing a schedule with the Executive to achieve this.
Unfortunately, the final stages of the new building have been hindered by COVID-related delays. It is now unlikely we will be moving offices this month, and labs may be equally delayed. I'll let you know as the program develops. Below are some stunning images recently taken by the project photographer, Adam McGrath.
Hope you have a great week,
Tim |
