Director's Message

Dear Colleagues,

Last week’s Director Colloquium featured Prof. Andrew Blakers (photo), who spoke on achieving 100% renewable energy. It was encouraging to hear that Australia is leading the world in solar and wind installation per capita. He also highlighted ANU’s global leadership in pumped‑hydro energy storage research, which has mapped more than 800,000 potential sites worldwide with detailed, zoomable maps. Thanks to Nikki for sorting out the sausage rolls and to Cedric and his team for organising the speaker. A reminder that these colloquia are an important part of what the school offers its HDR students and early-career researchers in terms of training, and attendance is strongly encouraged (especially when the topic sits outside your research area!). 

Congratulations to Emeritus Distinguished Professor Jagadish on his election as an international member of the National Academy of Sciences, recognising his distinguished and sustained contributions to original research. NAS membership is one of the highest honours in science, with only about 2,705 active and 557 international members worldwide, making it an exceptionally selective and respected lifetime achievement. It is also wonderful to see two other ANU colleagues honoured: Prof. Craig Moritz (RSB) and Distinguished Prof. David Lindenmayer (Fenner School). Warm congratulations to Jagadish and all new electees.

Last week’s fire drill ran smoothly overall. However, we did observe a few people attempting to re‑enter the building while the alarm was still sounding, and they were appropriately stopped by the fire wardens. This is a timely reminder for all staff and students to refresh their understanding of the correct procedures during a fire event, including staying in the designated assembly areas until the all‑clear is given.

This week’s research highlight comes from the Department of Fundamental and Theoretical Physics. A new paper in Nanoscale reports that the team led by Dr. Yana Izdebskaya and Prof. Ilya Shadrivov has developed a light‑controlled method for tuning otherwise static metasurfaces, enabling faster and more adaptable photonic technologies such as holography and advanced optical chips. Working with collaborators from the University of Münster, they achieved this by embedding the metasurface in liquid crystals doped with a photoresponsive dye, allowing its optical response to be reversibly adjusted using only light and paving the way for compact, high‑performance optical components.

Two quick reminders – the all-staff survey (ANYOU) is now open. Staff should have received an email with an individual survey link on 28 April. It takes five to ten minutes, can be completed on your phone, and closes on Tuesday 12 May. Also, the IVC College Q&A Session is being held today, Monday 4 May, from 11.30 am to 12.30pm in the Physics Auditorium. I hope to see many of you there.

Finally, we welcome Jodie back from a well-deserved break.

Hoe

Pint Of Science

It's that time again! The Pint AU team has been hard at work all year to bring the 2026 Pint of Science festival! New locations, new speakers and new topics!

Dates
May 18 - Cosmic Immunology
May 19 - Humans vs Neanderthals, Cancer & Myopia
May 20 - Traversing The Universe | Tassie Devils, Climate Termites & the Origin Of Life

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A new technique for controlling optical components with light could usher in the next generation of high efficiency signal processing technology, that could drive futuristic technology such as hologram videos.

The team of ANU Physicists has developed an innovative way to take static devices and make them dynamically tunable with light, an important capability for developing flexible and powerful light-based technology - photonics.

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Staff ID Card Printing

From 4 May 2026, ANU Parking will be operating at reduced hours for card printing services at Level 1, Fulton Muir Building (95) during the hours:

Monday: 2–4pm
Tuesday to Friday: 10am–12pm and 2–4pm

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First Wednesday Connect | May 6

CBRIN’s fast-paced pitching and networking event

All ANU staff and students are invited to connect with local industry and external stakeholders right here on campus, hear what others are building, and showcase the exciting research translation happening across ANU.

Researchers, startups and project teams are invited to deliver a 1-minute pitch introducing their startup, technology or research opportunity. It’s a great chance to raise visibility, spark new collaborations and celebrate innovation in action.

Date: Wed 6 May
Time: 5.00–6.30pm
Location: School of Cybernetics, Birch Building bldg. #35

Professor Aaron Quigley, Dean of the College of Systems and Society, will open the evening. Catering will be provided by the Commercialisation and Innovation team in collaboration with the School of Cybernetics. Networking from 5.00pm, pitches from 5.30pm.

^{If you would like to pitch but can’t attend yourself, you are welcome to nominate someone else from your team — please email and copy in your delegate so presenters can be kept track of.}

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College Hot Desking In Physics

HR, RM & Finance Teams
Thursday Mornings
^{Lv2 Tearoom, Bldg 160}

RSPhys Executive Meeting Minutes

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