|
Director's Message
Dear Colleagues,
I'm delighted to announce that A/Prof. Cormac Corr has been appointed as the new Head of Department for Materials Physics. Cormac is well known around the school for his research materials and plasma, his significant contributions to our education program, and for running Physics Project Market Day (2025 date to be announced soon – watch this space!). Please join me in congratulating and thanking Cormac for taking on this important leadership role.
I also want to thank Prof. Hoe Tan for agreeing to continue in the role of Associate Director Infrastructure through to the end of the year.
Another reminder about the CoSM Change proposal feedback – please get your comments in as soon as possible (rather than waiting until the last day). Consultation closes Thursday, August 7th at 12:00pm AEST. If possible, detail in your feedback why the change will cause issues and suggest alternatives. Every bit of feedback is important.
This week we're hosting an accreditation visit by Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). Thank you to Associate Director Education Prof. Ben Buchler and the entire Physics Education Centre team for all their hard work preparing for this visit. AIP accreditation occurs every five years and aims to support universities in providing high-quality physics degrees. Graduates from accredited universities are automatically eligible for admission to the grade of Member of the AIP. The AIP promotes physics in research, education, industry and the community across Australia, and if you're not already a member, I'd encourage you to join – we're stronger together!
We also have the 2025 AIP Marie Curie Lecture this week featuring Dr Sol H. Jacobsen from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. There's a public lecture Tuesday, August 5th at 5:30pm, followed by a Director's Colloquium Wednesday, August 6th at 11am.
Finally, you might notice a new orange addition to the B160 foyer – the sculpture "Levy" by Paul Hopmeier. See below for more details.
Jodie
Please contact me using the functional email director.physics@anu.edu.au but still use my Jodie.Bradby calendar for meeting invites. For in-person meetings, I am now using the Director's office. |
|
Paul Hopmeier's Levy
|
|
You might notice a new addition to the main foyer of building 160 – an orange steel sculpture Levy (1981) by Sydney artist Paul Hopmeier. Levy is inspired by the humble vice, a tool in the sculptor's workshop, exhibiting the forces of compression on the bent planes and reflects Hopmeier’s interest in machines and tools.
Levy has deep roots at ANU. For 32 years, from 1982 to 2014, Levy stood outside Chifley Library, welcoming generations of students. Archival photos show it nestled among the birch trees. After a brief stay in the CBE building it was on permanent display at the Drill Hall Gallery since 2017. Levy is the first of several artworks that will move into B160 over the coming weeks and months. Thanks to Tim Senden, and Benjamin Shingles & Oscar Capezio from ANU Art Collection, for these creative additions.
I'll leave you with this quote about the artist Paul Hopmeier by Yuri from ArtMove "He's an artist, yeah, but really, he's a frustrated tool maker. If I ever have a mechanical engineering problem, I go to see Paul, and he will come up with something left of field that is genuinely an elegant mechanical solution. He's just, he really is a genius."
Yuri is pictured in front of the sculpture trying to save a spider that hitched a ride. |
|
|
|
New University Travel Training Sessions
- When booking travel for any type of University business, it is mandatory to use ATPI -
In response to the roll-out of the new travel approval and booking systems, a series of training sessions have been scheduled to support staff in navigating the new tools and updated travel policy and handbook.
Whether you’re a self-booker, travel arranger (organise travel for self + others), or delegate/approver, the training sessions are tailored to meet your specific needs.
Please 'read more' to register for a session. » read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drugs, Batteries & Granny’s Cupboard: Chemistry In The Pub
|
|
Chemists have amazing powers: they can save the environment, save lives, and make that smell that reminds you of your granny’s cupboard - which, it turns out, may just be the key to the origins of life! (The chemical, napthalene - not the cupboard)
Come along, grab a warming beverage and settle in to hear the extraordinary science going on in the ACT, that’s transforming our world, all related in a fun and inspiring way.
Date: Thurs 14 August 2025
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic
Get Tickets
Sponsored by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and ANU Research School of Chemistry. » read more
|
|
|
|
Department of Defence (DIO) APS5 Intelligence Analyst
There is an upcoming Australian Public Service (APS) 5 Intelligence Analyst recruitment round at the Department of Defence, which will be advertised in the October timeframe. This role is in a specific part of Defence which employs people with postgraduate degrees in physics and other STEM backgrounds. The work is varied, very interesting and of genuine national importance.
If you think you would like to apply, please contact Tom McGoram, as he can work with Defence to set up a Q&A session for those who are interested, covering topics like the organisation’s mission and work, the team environment, and how to prepare for an interview.
Please note that that there are strict Australian citizenship requirements as well as an extensive security clearance process, which is important to bear in mind. Defence provides a very intellectually stimulating, rewarding and varied career, so it is worth the journey!
For general information about working at Defence in the Australian Public Service, see Defence public service jobs | Jobs & Careers | Defence. |
|
|
|
The Defence Industry Internship Program (DIIP)
The Defence Industry Internship Program (DIIP) provides Engineering and Technology university (undergraduate) students with direct connections to the Defence Industry by facilitating a 12-week (450 hour) paid internship in small to medium defence industry businesses across Australia.
These internships provide students with the opportunity to work with industry leaders on complex projects, using advanced technologies and support the development of valuable employability skills.
Applications close 31 August 2025 » read more
|
|
|
|
Innovation Pitchfest & Awards
In 2025, the Indo Pacific Innovation Program will debut an exciting new format, combining the prestigious Innovation Awards with the high-energy Pitchfest, to spotlight Australia’s brightest innovators across all stages of development. Whether you’re an established business, a start-up, a researcher, or an emerging talent, this national platform offers a unique opportunity to gain national recognition, build connections and compete for cash prizes with the total value of $130,000.
Entries Close Aug 5 » read more
|
|
|
|
McMichael Award - Applications Open Now
The impacts of climate change are escalating.
As the world experiences more extreme weather events and increasing disparity, there is a need for global leadership to protect the health of the environment and of global populations.
The McMichael Award and Fellowship Program will create and foster a global network of future leaders for a flourishing world.
The McMichael cohort will:
- Develop and participate in research projects that will establish scientific foundations for community programs and policy change.
- Engage with community programs to identify, assess, and alleviate complex consequences tied to climate change.
- Initiate programs and research projects that will continue to develop past the year of the award, contributing to the growing network and influence of McMichael Award recipients.
Applications open on Monday 21 July 2025 and close on Sunday 31 August 2025 11:00pm AEST. Please submit applications to McMichaelAward.NCEPH@anu.edu.au and Aparna.Lal@anu.edu.au » read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
College Hot Desking In Physics
Finance, HR & RM Teams
Thursday Mornings
Lv2 Tearoom, Bldg 160 |
|
|
Pigeonholes | John Carver Bldg. #58C
The 'reception' pigeonholes have moved to level 3 of the John Carver bldg. #58C. Please collect paper mail from here, or from department specific pigeonholes.
Parcel collection is from the Store as usual, as is outgoing mail (letters/parcels). |
|
|
Departmental seminars
Professor Sandrine Courtin - 1 August
Nucleosynthesis and Burning of Carbon in Stars
» read more
Mr Piyush Jangid - 1 August
Nonperturbative Nonlinear Metaphotonics
» read more
Mr Alternative Solid Propellants for Electrothermal Plasma Radio-frequency Thrusters - 4 August
Alternative Solid Propellants for Electrothermal Plasma Radio-frequency Thrusters
» read more
|
|
Director's Colloquium - 6 August
Investigating superconductivity for computation and communication using magnetism, light and strain - Dr Sol H. Jacobsen » read more
|
|
|
Know your administrators...
Nikki Azzopardi, Belinda Barbour & Petra Rickman » read more
|
|
|
|
Know your HDR Convenors...
A/Prof Vanessa Robins
Dr Michaela Froehlich
HDR Convenors
Prof Vince Craig
Associate Director HDR |
|
|
|
Know your Student Reps...
Aditya Babu, Victoria Bashu, Jessica Wierbik, Hendrik Heimes & Elizaveta Melik-Gaykazyan
hdrsreps.physics@anu.edu.au |
|
|
|
MSI | Topological Methods For Time-varying Data: Theory And Applications (Top Time) Workshop
Topological Data Analysis (TDA) is a research area at the intersection of Algebra, Topology, Geometry, Statistics and Machine Learning.
Date: Mon 27-Fri 31 Oct 2025
Time: Mon 9am-Fri 5pm
Venue: Seminar Rooms 1.33 & 1.37, Hanna Neumann Building 145
Register » read more
|
|
|
|
The ANZCOP 2025 | Call For Papers is Now Open!
The conference will be held at the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, from 8th to 11th December 2025.
Submission Deadline: 25th August 2025 » read more
|
|
|
|
