Director's Message

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you’ve had a good week.

My thanks to all those who attended the PEC Planning Day last week and especially to Prof Joe Hope (seen above, right) for his tireless efforts as retiring AD(E).  

I’ve been so pleased to see this year filling up with community-building activities. Between monthly student-run events and the many large events our auditorium is hosting it’s great to see people coming together. I’m always open to hearing from groups that might need help catering to expand on their initiatives. Last Friday it was a great delight to see the now annual Women* in Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Gala event welcome almost 70 people from across campus. Profs. Hanna Kurniawati (CECC), Anna Moore (InSpace/RSAA) and Mahananda Dasgupta (RSPhys, seen above) gave insightful presentations about their careers in their leadership roles. Below are some sketches from the day of woman scientists that each table felt should be better recognised for their scientific impact. The images will be part of a travelling display across the three Schools. My thanks to Drs Noemie Bastidon (MP), Lara Gillan (QST), Noelia Martinez Rey (RSAA), Julie Tournet (SoEng) and Dige Wang (PEC) for organising this event.

The organisers asked me to help with a call for mentors identifying as a woman or non-binary person to join the physics society for coffee at Otto's (Kambri) every Thursday morning at 9 am. The aim is to find enough people that the group can share attendance. If people would like to donate their time to support the undergraduate students, they can contact the committee at team_wipae@physics.anu.edu.au.

My congratulations to Shankar Dutt (MP) on winning the Elsevier NIMB Young Researcher Award at the 21st International Conference on Radiation Effects in Insulators (REI 21) in Fukuoka recently. This award was open for young researchers up to 10 years out of their PhD.

As with last year, the Director’s awards will be separated from Founder’s Day and will run as a separate end-of-year celebration. To help you consider your nominations well in advance, the Director’s Awards recognise outstanding service in our School by a team and individual staff members. All members of the RSPhys community are eligible, including our colleagues from the Honorary Faculty, local College administration or in Central service divisions who have contributed to the School.

This year, there will be three categories for recognition of service to the School:

• individual staff member, 
• a team award within Physics and
• an award for teams outside Physics who have contributed to the School

Nominations will be called for shortly after Founder’s Day and should include a citation of no more than 200 words. A diverse School committee will be selected to judge the nominations. Previous recipients and further information, available here. It’s wonderful to look back through the photos from past years.

Have a good weekend,
Tim

Curious Minds - STEM Coaches Wanted!

We are looking for female STEM professionals to become STEM coaches for the next round of Curious Minds. STEM Coaches play an integral role in developing the confidence of student participants; providing insight to a young person as to what it means to study and work in STEM. You will also create new networks with a group of female STEM professionals. 

Application close 29 September 2023. Check out our website and apply today! Please email Vanessa Kates for any questions. 

» read more

Michelle Durant, Managing Director of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE), will visit the School on Friday 22 September. AINSE’s mission is to provide pathways and networks for collaboration within the nuclear science, engineering and related research fields nationally and internationally and builds capability and diversity through training and education. 

Anyone who is interested in learning about AINSE scholarships, awards and events is welcome to attend a roundtable from 2-3 pm in 4.02 Meeting Room of the new Physics building. For more information, please contact AJ Mitchell (NPAA). 

EURAXESS Worldwide - Understanding Horizon Europe

We are delighted to share that ANU have been approached to host a talk by the regional co-ordinator for EURAXESS Worldwide.

Understanding Horizon Europe

When: Wednesday 20 September 2023, 10:30am-12pm
Where: Innovations Theatre, Anthony Low Bldg (#124) Garran Road

Admission to this event is free and to reserve a spot, please click on this link.

Please contact the College Research Office if you have any questions.

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The Conference on Optics, Atoms, and Laser Applications (KOALA) is a student only conference, organised by students, and affiliated with both Optica and SPIE. As the most prominent student only conference in Australia and New Zealand for the field of Optics, Atoms, and Laser Applications, it is the perfect opportunity for students to experience a conference surrounded by only their peers. As well as plenary speakers and the opportunity to present research to like-minded students, we have social and industry-focussed events to maximise networking opportunities.

Registration and abstract submission closes 2 October 2023, and includes accommodation for the conference. Travel grants are also available.

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CoS Panel Event - 'Creating Effective Science Networks' - Fri 22 Sep

In an era where addressing complex challenges is paramount, it is widely recognized that multi-disciplinary teams are crucial. But how do we harness this potential at ANU? How can we foster multi-disciplinary connections to create impactful collaborations?

The College of Science Research Committee is pleased to present: 'Creating Effective Science Networks' – a networking and panel event.

Friday 22 September, 12-1pm (light lunch provided)
Seminar/Function Room (1.33/1.37), Hanna Neumann Building (145)

Please register here by Sunday, 17 September

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InSTEM Registration - Now Open

inSTEM is a networking and career development conference for people from marginalised or underrepresented groups in STEM, and their allies. It is an initiative of the ARC Centres of Excellence.

Date: Tuesday, 19 September – Thursday, 21 September
Location: Storey Hall RMIT University, NAARM/Melbourne

For more information and to register visit www.instem.io

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Staff Movements

Andrew Stuchbery will be away 9/9/23 - 29/9/23
^{Steve Tims will be Acting HoD in this period}

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College Hot Desking In Physics

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

EVENTS

Departmental seminars

Dr Dinesh Venkatachalam - 20 September
Science & Social Impact: Cutting-edge mciro-plasma systems safeguarding more than a million lives
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Dr Alaleh Amin Zadeh - 20 September
Mask design, fabrication, and experimental ghost imaging applications for patterned x-ray illumination
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Dr Sejeong Kim - 26 September
2D materials for quantum integrated photonics
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John Carver Seminar Series 2023 - 28 September

Physics Auditorium, 10am

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NISDRG Round 4 - EOI Now Open

The Office of National Intelligence has announced the opening of the NISDRG Round 4 EOI , with a scheduled closing date of Monday, 25 September 2023.

» read more