Director's Message

Dear Colleagues,

I enjoyed attending the AIP Summer Meeting in Wollongong last week and it was wonderful to see so many speakers from our School. Dr Joshua Machacek delivered an excellent plenary talk where his dry wit kept the audience thoroughly engaged throughout -who knew positrons were red! It was particularly special to see Dr Matt Berrington, who graduated from ANU last year, awarded the 2024 Bragg Medal for the most outstanding PhD thesis in physics by a student from an Australian University. The meeting also provided a great opportunity to catch up with ANU alumna Larissa Huston, who took part in the Future of Australian Physics Forum.

A reminder that this Tuesday we're hosting a morning tea at 10 am in the foyer of B160 to thank Tim for his ten years of service as Director. All are welcome to join us in celebrating Tim's leadership and contributions to our School, and yes, of course there will be sausage rolls!

On an administrative note, we also have our last School Executive meeting of the year this Thursday, so if you have issues to raise or questions to ask, please reach out to your Head of Department, EMCR or student representative, or the School Manager. And as we head towards the end of the year, please remember to complete your Focus documents before the year wraps up.

Also don’t forget that expressions of interest for the roles of Associate Director Infrastructure, Associate Director Research, and Associate Director Translation close today.

Jodie

End Of Year Finance Cut Off Dates

• Monday 8 December - Last day to submit invoices for existing Suppliers, if the payment is due in 2025
• Thursday 11 December - Last day to submit Self Service Reimbursement requests for payment in 2025
• Friday 12 December - Physics 'internal' last day to submit requisition to be processed for 2025
• Monday 15 December - Last day for Financial Delegates to approve invoices and reimbursements in ES Financials for payment in 2025
• (10pm) Tuesday 30 December - Last day to approve an expense claim in Concur to ensure expenditure is recorded in 2025

Science Mentors ACT 2026

Are you passionate about science or engineering and eager to inspire the next generation of researchers? Science Mentors ACT is looking for volunteers to mentor Grade 9 to 12 students as they complete their extended student-driven investigations. 

Program details
Starting from Mid-February 2026 as partnerships are matched, ending around 31st October 2026.

The program is open to students at ACT Government Schools in Grade 9 through to Grade 12. More detail is available at our website.

How to apply
Join us in fostering a love of science and contributing to the academic growth of young minds. Your expertise and mentorship could be key to their decision to follow a career in science.

To express your interest, please contact Robyn Southall at sciencementors@act.gov.au.

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