|
Director's Message
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce the new Co-Chairs of the Physics IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) committee. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in the role, and congratulations to Dr Thomas McGoram (Professional staff, NPAA) and Andrew Wade (Academic staff, CGA) on their appointments. I look forward to working with them both.
Speaking of IDEA, this Saturday 17th May is IDAHOBIT Day, and the Physics IDEA team would like to take the opportunity to refresh our committee, our webpages, and our ally network. Ally training is available for anyone who is interested, and I can say from personal experience that it is excellent. Details can be found here.
It was also great to see in the news that ANU Physics spin-out Liquid Instruments has secured $70 million to advance its AI-driven technology. A wonderful reminder of what can grow out of research done right here in our school. You can read the full story on our homepage.
This week's research highlight is a first first-author paper (always special!) from Ryan Husband in Department of Quantum Science & Technology. The paper, "Propagation of Gaussian vortex beams from aperture-limited optics," published in Journal of Optics, addresses a practical challenge in working with light carrying orbital angular momentum. While such beams are often treated as ideal Laguerre-Gaussian modes, their behaviour changes significantly once finite apertures are introduced. Ryan developed an empirical model combining numerical solutions of the paraxial wave equation with experimental measurements, allowing the appropriate optical modes to be generated for interacting with atomic clouds. Congratulations Ryan and the team, and as always, I encourage students and EMCRs particularly to submit their work for a future research highlight here.
Finally, we have a Physics Executive meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, so please pass on any agenda items to your Head of Department or representative as soon as possible.
Jodie |
|
|
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 » read more
|
|
|
|
Science Media Savvy AusSMC Training | May 18
Free online media training from the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC)
Up your communication game and get Science Media Savvy at this entertaining online workshop for researchers.
Are you interested in how the media works? Do you get frustrated by what you read and see in the news? Do you want to help journalists do a better job when they’re reporting your subject? If so, this is the event for you.
The Science Media Savvy workshop is designed to provide you with valuable insights into how research news works in Australia and globally, increase your confidence, and give you the knowledge and skills to help you engage more effectively with the wider public through the media.
This online session will be delivered via Zoom.
Date: Mon 18 May 2026
Time: 10:00 AEST - 13:00 AEST
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/get-science-media-savvy-aussmc-media-training-mon-18th-may-2026 - Please only choose a ticket allocated to your organisation.
**Two weeks left to register, with 10 tickets available for ANU** » read more
|
|
|
|
Ideas On Tap | June 18
A night of big ideas and great conversations
Ideas on Tap is a relaxed, cross‑sector pitching and networking event bringing together researchers, manufacturers and industry organisations working at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2–5 across space, quantum and cyber. The event focuses on early‑to‑mid stage ideas with clear potential for collaboration, translation or commercial impact. This event is perfect for researchers, industry advocates and working professionals to meet and connect in a laid-back atmosphere.
Date: Mon 18 June 2026
Time: 4:30-6:30pm
Location: Work Club Two24 Bunda, 224 Bunda Street #Lvl 13
Register » read more
|
|
|
|
Defence Trailblazer | Commercialisation Bootcamp
As part of the DINAMIC Innovation Program from Defence Trailblazer, applications are now open for live Commercialisation bootcamps:
In-Person
Location: Canberra
Date: 10-11 June
Online
Location: Online
Date: 17-18 June
Format: 2-day intensive workshops
Cost: Free » read more
|
|
|
|
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 » read more
|
|
|
|
Call For Presenters - College of Science & Medicine 3MT Competition 2026
Take your research to the College, the University and the world!
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an international competition for HDR candidates to showcase their research.
Using plain language and with only a single PowerPoint slide, candidates have three minutes to present to a non-specialist audience on what their research is and why it is important.
3MT is a great opportunity for you to develop presentation skills that are crucial for your future careers, regardless of whether they are inside or outside of academia.
The winner of the CoSM 3MT competition will represent the College in the ANU 3MT final, and the ANU winner will go on to compete at the Asia-Pacific event, to be held at the University of Queensland.
Prizes for CoSM 3MT Competition Winners
- 1st prize: $1,000
- 2nd place : $500
- 3rd place: $250
- People’s choice: $250
Eligibility
To participate in this competition, please check if you meet the following criteria:
- You have completed your Confirmation of Candidature (CoC) or Thesis Proposal Review (TPR). If you are unsure, please contact our office on hdr.cosm@anu.edu.au.
- You haven't won the CoSM 3MT Competition in the past.
- You are available to present at the COSM 3MT event, Wednesday 25 June, 10.00–12.00pm, noting this is an in-person event and there is no option to present virtually.
It’s a great opportunity to showcase your thesis in just 3 minutes!
If you are interested in participating in this competition, please speak to your primary supervisor before registering your interest here. » read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
College Hot Desking In Physics
HR, RM & Finance Teams
Thursday Mornings
Lv2 Tearoom, Bldg 160 |
|
Staff Movements
Prof Greg Lane will be on leave from 11/5/26 until 29/5/26
Michaela Froehlich will be acting HoD during this time |
|
|
University Travel
- When booking travel for any type of University business, it is mandatory to use ATPI - » read more
|
|
|
|
Know your administrators...
Nikki Azzopardi, Belinda Barbour, & Petra Rickman » read more
|
|
|
|
Know your HDR Convenors...
Dr Michaela Froehlich
Dr Lilli Sun
HDR Convenors
A/Prof Vanessa Robins
Associate Director HDR |
|
|
|
HR Support For CoSM SharePoint
The People and Culture division have re-aligned work within functional teams to improve consistency and quality of advice across the University. » read more
|
|
|
|
Free Flu Vaccinations
The University is committed to supporting staff health and wellbeing during the upcoming flu season. Free vaccinations are available this year, with three options to choose from:
1. On campus at the ANU Medical Centre (appointment bookings are available from 31 March 2026)
2. On campus at the ANU Pharmacy – book via the QR code on the Safety and Wellbeing webpage or attend as a walk-in
3. Off campus at a Terry White Chemist. Access the TWC voucher code in HORUS (valid until Friday 31 July) » read more
|
|
|
|
