Dear {Contact_First_Name},
“How do I make a case for students to pursue science?” After hearing of the recent deep cuts to CSIRO, this was the question Paula Taylor, 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools, asked Science & Technology Australia’s CEO, Ryan Winn.
Winn says that the government’s decision to reduce funding to the CSIRO “reflects the penny-pinching that brings us [this] dilemma, rather than boosting investment in the kind of discovery research that drives knowledge and innovation.” Every dollar spent on research has a $3.50 return on investment through economic output, income, and jobs.
While it is disappointing to see CSIRO and a number of Universities cutting back, it is encouraging for our community that, according to the Academy, the future for physics is looking bright. Every day I see more advertised positions for Physicists and hopefully these will provide great employment for any of our members who are impacted by the spate of cuts.
This month saw a wonderful celebration of Australian science with the annual Prime minister’s Prizes. From the physicist who warned us that COVID was mainly airborne, to the quantum scientist protecting global businesses, and the teacher getting girls into physics – physicists dominated the PM’s Prizes! Congratulations to Prof Lidia Morawska (QUT), Dr Vikram Sharma (QuintessenceLabs), Matt Dodds (Glen Innes High School), and all the winners of the Prizes this year.
Quantum Year in Australia was also a huge success. The AIP was involved from the beginning, supporting the request to UNESCO and then promoting participation in Australia. There were hundreds of events around the country including three national tours:
As a leading quantum nation, it is vitally important that we continue to educate and advocate for the nascent Australian quantum industry. For Australia to be successful it is imperative that we have the full support of our community and that they also benefit from our technological successes. The IYQ was a great way to engage with the public with thousands attending the tours and other events. Please continue these activities into the future, continue to notify the AIP, cross promote and together we can build a large and successful physics industry right here in Australia.
My thanks to the AIP IYQ committee and our sponsors including Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), RMIT, UNSW, the University of Sydney, Swinburne University, Heavy Ion Accelerators, Macquarie University, and to our event partners.
The Summer Meeting kicked off on Monday in Wollongong. I hope to bump into you there! There’s a jam-packed program of quantum breakthroughs, the good and the bad of AI, the future of Australian physics, and more. Get the full program here.
Lastly, I’d like to offer my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of two recently passed long standing AIP members David Bellair and Kevin Liddiard.
Stu Midgley
President, Australian Institute of Physics
president@aip.org.au
