The Australian Institute of Physics AIP WOMEN IN PHYSICS TOUR

Marie Curie Lecture Tour goes digital in 2026

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 23:51:32 GMT

The AIP’s Marie Curie Lecture Tour is expanding digitally in 2026, breaking barriers to reach audiences nationwide, thanks to a National Science Week grant.

Meet astrophysicist Dr Karelle Siellez, a leading expert in explosive cosmic events that forge the Universe’s gold. Get a sneak preview of Karelle's interests in her TEDxSanta Cruz talk What's at the Core of an Astrophysicist? (2020).

Livestreamed and recorded events will connect students and communities in regional and remote Australia with inspiring physics and world-class science communication. Subscribe to our newsletter to be kept informed of tour news and announcements.

Sparking quantum curiosity with spinning electrons and laser diffraction

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 04:46:33 GMT

A summary of the 2025 Marie Curie lectures.

Pictured from left to right: Dr Danielle Holmes, Dr Sol H Jacobsen, A/Prof Karen Livesey, and Prof Susanna Guatelli at the awards presentation in Wollongong.

Dr Danielle Holmes (UNSW Sydney) and Dr Sol H Jacobsen (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) presented a hugely successful Marie Curie lecture series, giving ten public lectures and visiting many schools right across Australia.

Danni spoke on the quantum century, detailing some surprising history in the development of quantum science and computing, including the hidden contributions by women.

Sol focused on the role of “spintronics” to modernise our computing and energy needs, with discussion of geopolitical consequences.

“This was as close as I have come to feeling like a physics celebrity!” Danni said about the tour. “The whirlwind of events, with public lectures, high school visits, radio interviews and podcasts, gave me an incredible platform to deliver my love for quantum physics far beyond the laboratory. The response from curious audiences was incredible and I got asked countless questions, with the most intellectual being from young school children!”

“What a privilege it was to embark on this whirlwind tour, meeting and discussing with so many quantum-curious people of all ages and backgrounds!” said Sol. “In every arena, from schools to podcasts, radio to lectures, in plenary and in private, it became clear that people are yearning for a broad and full and frank discussion of the implications of quantum developments and their future role in them. The AIP is a global leader in highlighting the contribution of women in physics, and connecting those physicists to the public, and I’m honoured to have been a small part of their ambitious project.”

You can hear Drs Jacobsen and Holmes speak about the tour on Radio National.

Attendance at public lectures increased this year, with Melbourne’s lecture attracting over 450 people.

At the public lecture in Wollongong, Danni and Sol joined forces to deliver their lectures and received the AIP’s Women in Physics medal.

The medals and certificates were awarded by Professor Susanna Guatelli, a former Women in Physics medalist (2021) and current Head of School of Physics at University of Wollongong (UOW). The event was hosted by Senior Professor Michael Lerch, Associate Dean of Research at UOW and former NSW AIP Chair.

In 2025, the Women in Physics lecture tour was rebranded as the Marie Curie lectures, to build a larger and more general audience.

It has run nationally since 1997 and is aimed at promoting the excellent research performed by women.

The AIP is pleased to announce the 2026 lecturer, Dr Karelle Siellez (University of Tasmania). A feature on Karelle will appear in the October AIP newsletter.

Our Marie Curie Lecturers discuss the past and future of quantum on ABC Radio National's Sunday Extra

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 02:59:30 GMT

This week the tour visits Canberra, Newcastle and Wollongong, where our quantum entangled lecturers will be formally presented with their Women in Physics Lecturer Awards.

Hear Danielle and Sol talk about the tour experience so far, spintronics, quantum computing, as well as women in physics, in conversation with Julian Morrow of ABC Radio National's Sunday Extra.

Dr Sol H. Jacobsen visits her alma mater and talks quantum on ABC Hobart

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 02:49:57 GMT

Dr Sol H. Jacobsen has kicked off her national tour with her first Marie Curie Lecture at her alma mater, the University of Tasmania!

Next stops for Sol are Canberra (5 August), Wollongong (7 August), Adelaide (11 August) and Brisbane (14 August).

Listen to Sol talk about investigating quantum phenomena as part of her new project, SuperFlex, on ABC Hobart Afternoons.

Read more here from the University of Tasmania.

Listen to Dr Danielle Holmes discuss all things quantum with ABC Melbourne's David Astle

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 02:21:30 GMT

Dr Danielle Holmes gives a sneak preview of her upcoming public lectures in discussion with David Astle in Evenings on ABC Melbourne.

Listen here from ~1:37.

Electron spin and the quantum century: Interviews with Dr Danielle Holmes and Dr Sol H Jacobsen

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The Marie Curie Lectures kick off on 25 July with Dr Danielle Holmes and Dr Sol H Jacobsen touring Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Newcastle, Canberra, Wollongong, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane.

Find out more about their work on the Clear as Quantum podcast by EQUS.

Danielle shares her early dreams of becoming an astrophysicist and explains why she's glad to have ended up using a single-atom gun. Working at atomic scales has its challenges – a single sneeze in a cleanroom can derail weeks of effort.

Danielle shares a teaser of her Marie Curie presentation: quantum science isn’t just about tiny particles, but about everything from why stars shine to how quantum computing might reshape society.

Listen to the podcast episode here.

Sol is a thoughtful and fascinating scientist whose journey into quantum science started with philosophy. Her research explores the amazing world of spintronics – where manipulating electron spin opens doors to ultra-efficient information processing.

Sol discusses how quantum mechanics challenges our understanding of reality and why these ideas matter to everyone, not just physicists.

Listen to the podcast episode here.

Clear as Quantum is a podcast by the ARC CoE for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS). It is about how quantum science is changing the world and features conversations with experts, sharing fascinating stories from their research and broader experiences as scientists. Get to know some of the amazing people and ideas underpinning the second quantum revolution.

Women in Physics Lecturer award nomination extension

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:45:29 GMT

Nominations for the 2026 AIP Women in Physics Lecturer award have been extended until 15 June.

This award is for women who have made a significant research contribution to physics and effectively communicate their work to the public.

The awardee will receive a medal and be supported to give the national Marie Curie Lectures.

Nominate here.

Why stars shine, how birds don’t get lost, and other wonders of the quantum world

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

School children and physicists were delighted by Dr Danielle Holmes at her first Marie Curie Lecture in Melbourne last month.

Dr Holmes took the audience on a journey from the photoelectric effect to how birds navigate vast oceans, including experiments with lasers, static electricity, and pipe cleaners.

The Marie Curie Lecture will tour Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Newcastle, Canberra, Wollongong, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane across July and August.

Marie Curie Lectures: Wonders of the Quantum World – From Stars to Computers

Thu, 01 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The AIP’s 2025 Marie Curie Lectures begin this month with Dr Danielle Holmes speaking on the ‘Wonders of the Quantum World: From Stars to Computers’.

She will present this lecture at the Girls in Physics Breakfast on 20 May in Melbourne, organised by Vicphysics.

Dr Holmes will also present her Marie Curie Public Lecture ‘Quantum Century: Unlocking the Universe’s Secrets and Shaping our Future’ at The University of Melbourne on 25 July.

Dr Holmes will be joined by the AIP’s second 2025 Women in Physics Lecturer, Dr Sol H Jacobsen, to deliver a joint Marie Curie Lecture on 7 August in Wollongong.

Read more about the Marie Curie Lectures and get event updates here.

Nominations for the 2026 AIP Women in Physics Lecturer award will open soon and close 1 June.

Reinventing electronics and computing: the 2025 Women in Physics Lecturers

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 01:00:00 GMT

For Quantum Year, the AIP has selected two 2025 Women in Physics Lecturers: Dr Sol H. Jacobsen and Dr Danielle Holmes will tour Australia this year as the AIP’s joint 2025 Women in Physics Lecturers.

Dr Jacobsen, Group Leader at QuSpin Centre for Quantum Spintronics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), develops materials that are both superconductive and magnetic (two properties that are usually at odds with each other) to create computers with little energy loss.

Dr Holmes, Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer at UNSW Sydney, manipulates individual atoms in silicon chips to build “qubits” (quantum computing’s version of binary digits) to create scalable quantum computers.

The Women In Physics Lecture tour celebrates and recognises women’s contributions in physics.

Tour dates and locations of Dr Sol Jacobsen’s and Dr Danielle Holmes’ lecture series will be announced soon.

From the humble lightbulb to stealing all the money in the world: One last time “what do theoretical physicists do?”

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:10:00 GMT

Written by Associate Professor Karen Livesey.

The 2024 Women in Physics tour by Professor Susan Coppersmith wrapped up on Thursday 17 October with a public lecture in Sydney.

Professor Coppersmith chose her home institution, UNSW Sydney, for the tour’s finale.

The lecture was held in the Council Chambers and was attended by people of all ages from across the Sydney metro area.

She posed the question: What do theoretical physicists do?

Professor Coppersmith showed that they push human knowledge into new and interesting directions. This was presented through the lens of quantum mechanics.

She took the audience on a journey starting in the 1800s with a humble lightbulb, to quantum technologies that have changed our lives. She mentioned how to steal all the money in the world by breaking quantum algorithms.

This year’s tour consisted of eight public lectures, 23 school visits, and numerous radio interviews. Professor Coppersmith visited all Australian states and the ACT. She said: “The tour was so meaningful, and I am incredibly inspired by the dedicated educators and enthusiastic students that I met.”

The Dean of the Faculty of Science at UNSW and past president of the AIP, Professor Sven Rogge, introduced the public lecture. Astrophysicist Professor Sarah Brough, incoming chair of the UNSW School of Physics, ran the question time after the public lecture.

The event concluded with the awarding of the Women in Physics medal to Professor Coppersmith by the AIP’s representative, Associate Professor Karen Livesey of the University of Newcastle.

The audience congratulated Professor Coppersmith on the award in recognition of her work enabling a new understanding of complex systems ranging from biomineralised structures and granular materials to glasses, quantum magnets, and quantum computers.

She was also thanked by the AIP for her work to promote physics to Australians from all walks of life, especially school children.

The AIP’s Women in Physics lecture tour has run nationally since 1997. It is aimed at promoting the excellent research performed by women.

Find out more about the 2024 Women in Physics Lecture Tour.

Applications close 15 Nov 2024 for the 2025 Women in Physics Lecturer.

Photos (credit to Cassandra Hannagan):

Prof. Coppersmith talking to the audience
Prof. Coppersmith mid-lecture
Prof. Rogge, Prof. Brough, Prof. Coppersmith with her certificate and medal, and A/Prof. Livesey

Final Women in Physics lectures

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT

The last lectures for this year’s Women in Physics lecture tour with Prof Susan Coppersmith are in Brisbane and Sydney.

Optimising silicon/silicon-germanium quantum dot qubits: Brisbane, 2pm 8 Oct. Event details.

What do theoretical physicists do? WIP lecture: Brisbane, 5:30pm 8 Oct. Event details.

Girls in Physics Breakfast: Brisbane, 8am 10 Oct. Event details.

What do theoretical physicists do? WIP lecture: Sydney, 5:30pm 17 Oct. Event details.

Livestream of Susan Coppersmith on ‘Sand to quantum computers’: Women in Physics lecture series kicks off

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 23:40:42 GMT

From Grains of Sand to Quantum Computers: Prof Susan Coppersmith FAA FAIP kicks off the 2024 Women in Physics lecture series in Melbourne with 2 events:

1) a lecture for the general public to attend in-person, Wednesday 8 May 7pm-8pm. More info here

2) a live-stream lecture, Thursday 9 May 8.15am-9.15am. More info here.

This second lecture is part of the Girls in Physics Breakfast events run by VicPhysics. Full list of events here.

See more information about the 2024 Women in Physics Lecture Tour.

Nano-magnets attract packed crowd for Women In Physics finale

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 22:58:23 GMT

After 11 public talks, 16 school visits, 7 technical seminars, 8 radio interviews, and connecting with 1,600 + attendees at events around the country, theoretical physicist Dr Karen Livesey presented her final Women In Physics lecture to a packed crowd in her home town of Newcastle.

A diverse audience gathered at the University of Newcastle's downtown Q building to hear how nano-magnets can:

influence the way bacteria move
jiggle to heat up and kill cancer cells
create a binary system for higher-density data storage in computers.

"The tour has been overwhelming,” said Dr Livesey. “It has been a privilege to learn about physics research, high school studies, and diversity initiatives across all states and one territory. I hope my talks have had an impact on some young people."

She thanked the AIP national and state branches, her Newcastle and Colorado colleagues for their unwavering support of Women in Physics, and her family for making the tour possible.

Karen was presented with her AIP Women In Physics Lecturer medal on the night, presented on behalf of the AIP by Past President Emeritus Professor John O'Connor. Dr Hannah Schunker, a Future Fellow in Physics at the University of Newcastle, gave the event introduction.

See photos from the event by Lachlan Rogers:

Nano-magnets attract and inspire in Perth and Melbourne

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:57:03 GMT

Coming soon to: Adelaide, Canberra, Wollongong, Sydney, Launceston, Hobart and Newcastle.

The AIP Women in Physics Lecture Tour with Dr Karen Livesey has seen jam-packed visits to Perth and Melbourne so far.

A public lecture at University of Western Australia in Perth kicked off the tour in June with around 100 attendees – including friends, family, former colleagues and members of the public.

"I think we had record high numbers for the WiP lecture series, and Karen delivered an outstanding lecture that captivated our audience," said WA AIP branch president Jingbo Wang.

A technical seminar and tour at Curtin University was followed by several visits to Perth public high schools, plus a radio interview on ABC Perth.

The Melbourne leg of the trip was packed with a public lecture at RMIT, plus research visits at RMIT, The University of Melbourne and Monash University.

Karen also gave a talk at a Girls in Physics breakfast at Monash University, in front of a fully-engaged crowd of high school girls, and women in STEM.

A technical seminar at the ARC Centre of Excellence Future Low Energy Electronic Technologies (FLEET) rounded off the Melbourne visit.

Next stops on the tour include Adelaide, Canberra, Wollongong, Sydney, Launceston and Hobart in September.

The tour will naturally finish in Karen’s hometown at the University of Newcastle.

Stay tuned for details of an event near you.

This Year the AIP Introduces Lecturer Dr Karen Livesey as the 'Women in Physics' Lecture Tour

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 06:24:29 GMT

The Women in Physics Lecture tour celebrates the contribution of women, everywhere, to advances in physics. This annual tour selects one outstanding lecturer each year to showcase her contribution in the field of physics.

The AIP is thrilled to announce that Dr Karen Livesey, theoretical physicist at the University of Newcastle, will be touring Australia in 2023 as the AIP’s Women in Physics Lecturer.

Look up! Women in Physics hits Adelaide, Newcastle & Brisbane

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 02:00:00 GMT

Free public talks in Sep as part of 2022 Women in Physics Lecture Tour in SA, ~~WA,~~*** NSW and QLD

QLD events will also be streamed online

What’s the difference between a meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite? How do you measure quakes on Mars and what do they tell us about the structure of Mars’ interior? How do you go about it if you want to work with NASA?

Find out from planetary scientist Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic, our 2022 Women in Physics Lecturer.

She’ll be giving free public talks this month in Adelaide, ~~Perth~~*** , Newcastle, and Brisbane. Everyone is invited. The events in Brisbane are a reschedule from the cancelled July dates.

Katarina will be talking about her modelling work on impact processes and cratering mechanics, and how these affect the evolution of planets. She will also provide insights on her involvement in billion-dollar space missions and her unique career path.

She was a co-author on a recent Nature paper that traced the source of a Mars meteorite that crashed into Africa.

Tue 6 Sep at University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 6:30 pm onwards.
Thu 22 Sep at Curtin University*~~, Perth, 5:30 –7:40 pm.~~ ***
Wed 28 Sep at University of Newcastle, Newcastle, 7 – 8 pm.
Thu 29 Sep at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane and Online, 4:30 – 5:30 pm.
Fri 30 Sep at University of Queensland**, Brisbane and Online, 11 am – 12 pm.

* The talk at Curtin University will follow an expo featuring science demonstrations and hands-on activities in physics, featuring impact craters, rocks from space, and space exploration.

** This is a physics colloquium geared towards those with physics training.

*** Curtin University talk rescheduled for 1 Dec due to the new 22 Sep public holiday.

As part of her lecture tour, Katarina will also give private talks to high school students and participate in afternoon teas with university students studying physics and early career researchers.

Read more about Katarina and the lecture tour here.

Know a brilliant female physicist who you can nominate for the 2023 Women in Physics Lectureship? Details and how to nominate here.

QLD tour dates CANCELLED - watch this space

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 05:45:45 GMT

CANCELLED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, all QLD events of the 2022 Women in Physics lecture tour will not be going ahead.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We hope to re-schedule the events, either in-person or online, at a later date.

Please watch this space for more announcements.

Deep impact: Women in Physics tour heading to QLD & VIC

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 02:00:00 GMT

Free public talks by Women in Physics Lecturer Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic in Melbourne in July.

Women invited to participate in Girls in Physics Breakfasts in VIC.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: QLD EVENTS CANCELLED - more below.

The 2022 Women in Physics (WiP) Lecture Tour continues with events ~~in QLD from 18-20 July and~~ in VIC from 27-28 July.

The title of the WiP lecture is ‘Impacts! Rocks from space colliding with planets’ and will give given by planetary scientist A/Prof Katarina Miljkovic (Curtin University). She will describe her work on impact processes, cratering mechanics, and shock physics applied to geological materials.

She’s already given lectures at high schools, universities and public venues in NSW and ACT, including Science Space (Wollongong) and Questacon.

This month, A/Prof Miljkovic will give free talks open to the public on:

Tues 19 Jul at Room 7-22, Parnell, Bldg, University of Queensland, 2 - 3 pm.
Wed 20 Jul at The Gibson Room (Z Block, Level 10), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, 11 am - 12 pm.
Wed 27 Jul at Storey Hall, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Melbourne, 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

Click on the event venues for more details and to register.

A/Prof Miljkovic will also participate in the Girls in Physics Breakfasts occurring across VIC. These events are an opportunity for students in years 10 – 12 to share a table with women in physics or engineering and ask them about their work and lives. She will participate in the event on 28 Jul at the William Angliss Institute, Melbourne.

Women in physics or engineering (including those studying these subjects at university) are invited to attend and participate in the Girls in Physics Breakfasts by registering here.

A/Prof Milkovic will also give private talks at senior high schools in ~~Brisbane, Cairns, and~~ Melbourne.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

CANCELLED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, all QLD events of the 2022 Women in Physics lecture tour will not be going ahead.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We hope to re-schedule the events, either in-person or online, at a later date. Please watch this space for more announcements.

More information

To read more about A/ Prof Miljkovic and her work, as well as the lecture tour, visit here.

Further requests for information about the Girls in Physics Breakfasts can be directed to the organiser, Dan O’Keefe.

Further requests for information about QLD events can be directed to the AIP QLD branch chair, Joel Alroe.

Dates and venues for NSW & ACT leg of the 2022 Women in Physics lecture tour

Fri, 20 May 2022 06:00:00 GMT

A/Prof Katarina Miljkovic will be giving free talks open to the public at the following NSW and ACT venues:

Tues 31 May at Macquarie University, North Ryde, 6 - 7 pm.
Wed 1 Jun at Science Space, North Wollongong, 6.30 - 7.30 pm.
Thu 2 Jun, at UNSW Canberra, Canberra, 5.30 - 7 pm.

Click on the events for more details and to register.

She will also be giving at talk at the follow event but it is only open for physicists at the Australian National University:

Thu 2 Jun, at Australian National University, Canberra/online, 2 - 3 pm.

Rock on: dates for 2022 Women in Physics lecture tour announced

Mon, 02 May 2022 02:00:00 GMT

The 2022 Women in Physics Lectureship tour kicks off at the end of May and runs through to September.

Planetary scientist Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic from Curtin University will be giving a lecture series entitled ‘Impacts! Rocks from space colliding with planets’.

The Women in Physics Lectureship is awarded annually to recognise and publicise significant contributions by a woman to advancing a field of physics and to inspire future physicists.

A/Prof Miljkovic will be giving her lecture to schools, academics, and the general public.

Catch a speak peek of what she’ll be talking about in Impact: Beyond the Night Sky (2020), a short documentary written and directed by Kath Dooley. This immerse, 360, virtual-reality documentary was a finalist in the best experimental film category at the 2022 Atom Awards.

The currently confirmed dates for the lecture tour are:

NSW: 30 May – 1 Jun
ACT: 2 – 3 Jun
QLD: 18 – 20 Jul
VIC: 27 – 28 Jul
TAS: 8 – 10 Aug
SA: 6 – 8 Sep
WA: 22 Sep

Further tour dates in WA are TBA. Watch out on social media and in next month’s newsletter for venues and times.

“When imagining the space in our Solar System, many people think of a dark silent void but the space around us is not empty; it is filled with particles, with dust, and with rocks – some very small and some large. The history of our Universe is a history of impacts when things collide.” – A/Prof Katarina Miljkovic in Impact: Beyond the Night Sky (2020).

Photo credit: TAKE2STEM.