AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our safety
2025-10-14 17:30 - 19:00 (Australia/Sydney) | The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT
Curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world around us?
Join the Australian Academy of Science in 2025 for ‘AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward’ to explore the current and future implications of AI.
Discover how AI is helping scientists make breakthroughs in health and medicine, climate research, agriculture and food production, space exploration and more. The series will also delve into potential risks, limitations and ethical issues as AI becomes increasingly prominent in science and our society.
The six events in our public speakers series across 2025 will be a mix of panel discussions and presentations, and will feature a range of speakers from science, technology, social science, industry and government. Audiences, both in person and online, will have the opportunity to engage with speakers in the Q&A sessions at each event.

Nerd Nite #65
2025-10-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Howler, 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick
Three presenters share a topic they are NERDY about while the audience shares a drink.
Nerd Nite Melbourne is back for our fifth epic instalment of the year! This time, we’re diving into: the hidden history of infectious diseases: how outbreaks from the plague to COVID have reshaped society and the survival and resilience of queer nightlife in the face of rising challenges! We also have another surprise mystery talk guaranteed to blow your nerdy socks off.
Come for the facts, stay for the vibes, and leave with at least three new niche obsessions. Be infectious, be fabulous, be surprised.
Be there. Be Square
Moxie Delite
I will survive! Survival in AUS queer nightlife
Description: With the rise of queerphobic hate and the cost of living, many queer nightlife performers have had to resort to multiple sources of income and surviving despite the odds. As an events producer, I do my best to keep my friends and co-workers afloat financially where I can, but also to uplift underrepresented talent. I’ve interviewed queer nightlife veterans and researched into the trends that have made or broken us, in hopes that future generations will know exactly how to respond the next time we experience knock backs in the arts.
Bio: Moxie Delite is a burlesque and drag performer who has a love for ridiculousness, subversive performance, and high camp. In her 7 years of performing and producing events, she’s strived to platform underrepresented performers and provide upcoming performers with resources to do their own shows, and make the process a lil less scary. She is passionate about transgender health, local queer history, and BIPOC excellence in the arts.
Socials: @moxiedelite (IG, TikTok) @moxiedelitedrag (FB)
Felicia Bongiovanni
Have infectious diseases changed how we live?
Description: Whenever winter approaches, there are two things you often dread: the cold weather and the increased risk of getting sick. We’ve all experienced firsthand the significant impact that a virus can have on society with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are plenty of other infectious diseases that have changed the way you live every day that go unrecognised. Grab a gin and tonic and join me for this talk, where we’ll see how, over time, different infectious diseases have shaped society.
Bio: Felicia has been fascinated by infectious diseases ever since she took her first virology lecture during her undergraduate degree. Before that, she was a space fanatic, and for a living, she would simulate missions to Mars for school students. Today, you can find her at WEHI, constantly frustrated with her code, where she is researching the immune response to different pathogens for her PhD.
Socials: https://linktr.ee/feliciabongiovanni

Caring for Country, culture and community in a changing environment: First Nations leadership in One Health
2025-10-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Join us for the eighth installment of the One Health Wonders webinar series at 2pm AEDT on Tuesday 28 October 2025. Brought to you by the interim CDC and the CSIRO, we aim to showcase the relationship between human, animal and ecosystem health.
The One Health Wonders webinar series showcases cutting edge research and action that focuses on the interdependent relationship between human, animal and environmental health. We seek to promote discussion and collaboration between academic researchers, state and federal government departments, NGOs and One Health stakeholders.
This seminar will feature three presentations on ‘Caring for Country, culture and community in a changing environment: First Nations leadership in One Health’ showcasing one health in action on:

A framework to understand cascading and compounding impacts: Indigenous insights in disaster resilience
One Health on Country: First Nations perspectives in environmental biosecurity
Listening to Country: First Nations community panels and bird flu preparedness
Q&A panel discussion

Come along with your questions for a lively discussion!

Australian Farming Systems in a Changing World
2025-10-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Incremental Transformation of Agricultural Production: Searching for System Synergies
Presenter: Dr. John Kirkegaard, Chief Research Scientist, Agriculture and Food, CSIRO
About the Series:  Hosted by the Systems Program in CSIRO’s Agriculture and Food Business Unit, this series explores the overarching theme “Australian Farming Systems in a Changing World”. Researchers and international experts will discuss research advances in their implications for the productivity, resilience and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural production systems at a time when they face a confluence of environmental and socioeconomic pressures.
Presentation Abstract: Throughout history, few individual technologies have been singularly transformational in improving sustainable agricultural productivity. Rather, step changes in productivity have come only when combinations of technologies, often a mix of old and new, synergise within a farming system. This realisation has important implications for the way we organise and conduct research to better capitalise on new science and technologies to gain real impact on farm. In the end while organisational structures can help, it behoves all of us to be thinking and mixing with colleagues who work on topics and at scales beyond those of our specific expertise as they may hold the key to realising the benefits of our specific idea. In his presentation Dr. John Kirkegaard will reflect upon some examples from his own teams and those of international colleagues where genuine “G x E x M” approaches to research have led to significant and potentially transformational impact. The intent is to stimulate discussion about the potential to better envisage and capture of the future G x E x M opportunities to meet the productivity challenges of a climate-constrained world.
About the presenter: Dr John Kirkegaard FAA is a Chief Research Scientist with 35 years of experience in farming systems research. He has led numerous national and international teams researching many aspects of dryland farming systems, with the National Water Use Efficiency (2013) and Dual-purpose Canola (2021) projects attracting CSIRO Medals for impact from science. In recent years he has championed projects designed to capture benefits from the synergies between individual management and genetic innovations on farms. He has published 200 refereed journal papers and is a regular speaker at forums ranging from regional GRDC Updates to International Symposia. Numerous awards highlight his ability to communicate impactful outcomes from his research teams which inevitably include farmers and advisors. He was Deputy Chair of the International Global Wheat Initiative’s Expert Working Group on Agronomy, and is a current member of the Global Council for Innovation in Rapeseed and Canola. John has supervised and mentored many young agronomists, scientists, Postdocs and PhDs throughout his career and was recently awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Agriculture at Kansas State University and will spend 6 months in 2026 embedded in the KSU Agronomy Department with his host Dr Romulo Lollato to explore application of system synergy thinking to the extensive dryland wheat production system of the US Great Plains.
This webinar series is moderated by Frank Sperling, Senior Principal Research Scientist, A&F, CSIRO.

Sustainable Chiswick Project Day
2025-11-05 | CSIRO Chiswick, 9308 New England Highway Armidale NSW
Come and join us at CSIRO’s Chiswick Research Station for a special event!
CSIRO is a leader in agricultural innovation, supported by our research farms around Australia, including at Chiswick on Anaiwan Country, near Armidale in NSW.
The Sustainable Chiswick Project is making this livestock research farm a real-world testbed for agricultural sustainability. This project covers all aspects of sustainability, including environmental, social, and economic.
You’re invited to our Chiswick site for a special project day where we will share our aspirations for this project and its activities.
The morning will feature an overview of the information we have collected to date for the Chiswick farm in natural capital baselining, animal welfare, biodiversity and soil monitoring. In the afternoon, there will be an opportunity, for those interested, to dive deeper into the natural capital and sustainable landscapes activities. We will reflect and explore with participants the next steps and opportunities for how we can drive solutions together.
This is an in-person only event being held at CSIRO’s Chiswick livestock research farm, and registration is required.

2025 Lloyd Rees Lecture
2025-11-06 14:30 - 16:30 | Ian Wark Lecture Theatre, CSIRO, Research Way, Clayton, VIC
Professor Lloyd Hollenberg
The Australian Academy of Science has pleasure in presenting the 2025 Lloyd Rees Lecture. Professor Lloyd Hollenberg FAA will give his lecture on Thursday 6 November 2025 at CSIRO in Clayton, Victoria.

Quantum computers approaching fast
After many years of research and development, quantum computers are emerging from research labs around the world. Programmable quantum computers, such as those based on superconducting circuits and individual trapped atoms, can be accessed via the cloud. Meanwhile, the associated quantum algorithms, software and programming frameworks are developing rapidly. But what are quantum computers, and what are they good for? Where are they heading? Can we believe the hype? To address these questions, we will take a brief (personalised) tour through the world of quantum computers, covering the basics of their operation, current status and outlook for applications in areas such as chemistry and material science, bioinformatics, finance, and AI.

About the speaker

Professor Lloyd Hollenberg FAA completed his PhD in theoretical particle physics at the University of Melbourne in 1989 and was subsequently awarded a JSPS Fellowship at the KEK accelerator laboratory in Tsukuba, Japan. After his postdoctoral period he returned to the School of Physics to take up a research and teaching position. Lloyd’s early work in mathematical physics and lattice gauge theory was a natural starting point for his interest in quantum computing. Since 2001, Lloyd has been a driving force for the silicon quantum computer vision, providing theoretical underpinnings from device physics to quantum error correction and scale-up. He is an internationally known proponent of quantum technology, having made contributions in both theoretical quantum computing and experimental implementations of quantum sensing using spin qubits in semiconductors.
Lloyd has published more than 250 papers in refereed journals, including prestigious journals such as Science, Nature, Nature Physics, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Materials and Physical Review Letters. He was ranked 6th in the world for contributions to quantum computing in the 2001–10 Thomson Reuters census. Under his ARC Laureate Fellowship (2013–18) he developed quantum sensing and imaging technology that crosses the nano–bio divide. Lloyd has served on the Australian Research Council’s College of Experts and was Chair of the Physics, Chemistry and Geosciences panel in 2008. He was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2018.

About the award
In 1990, Sir Alan Walsh FAA proposed that the Australian Academy of Science initiate a series of lectures by distinguished researchers in chemical physics, to recognise the contributions of the late Dr A L G Rees FAA to science, industry and education.

Cool Beans: One woman's mission to reclaim fertility through men's health - Melbourne book launch
2025-11-06 18:00 - 21:00 | City Fertility, Level 1/150 Jolimont Road, East Melbourne
About
Step into a night that’s changing the conversation around fertility, men’s health, and the science of wellbeing.
Join Saara Jamieson, founder of Cool Beans Underwear® and author of COOL BEANS, for an inspiring Melbourne book launch hosted by City Fertility and Morpheus Publishing.
This event goes beyond storytelling, it’s a movement. Discover how innovative thinking, compassion, and science are shaping the future of fertility care for both men and women.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞:
• An inspiring live talk from Saara Jamieson on her journey and the creation of Cool Beans Underwear® (ARTG 379655), a groundbreaking medical device designed to support men’s reproductive health.
• A special presentation by a City Fertility representative on the vital role men’s health plays in fertility outcomes.
• A live demo of the Cool Beans biomedical everyday underwear, TGA registered and proven to support fertility, testosterone health, post-operative recovery, oncology care, and erectile dysfunction (ED).
• Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals, advocates, and community members who care about reshaping fertility conversations.
• Complimentary drinks and light refreshments.
• Exclusive book signing with Saara Jamieson.

Emergency Animal Diseases Symposium & Snowdon Oration
2025-11-11 - 2025-11-13 | Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness Geelong VIC
11th – 13th November 2025
Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong
Join us in Geelong to hear from world-leading experts about the most recent animal disease outbreaks in the region, as well as other emergency animal diseases.
Event Details:

Snowdon Oration (Geelong CBD, venue TBC)

Evening event Tuesday 11th November
Keynote speech held in honour of William (Bill) Snowdon, ACDP’s (formerly AAHL) founding chief. Includes drinks and canapes alongside the guest speaker oration

EAD Symposium Sessions (onsite at ACDP)

Full Day and social event Wednesday, 12th November
Half Day Thursday, 13th November

RV Investigator Public Open Day – Brisbane
2025-11-16 | Brisbane
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, in partnership with Port of Brisbane and World Science Festival Brisbane, invites you to step aboard Australia’s advanced ocean research vessel, RV Investigator, while it’s in Brisbane between research voyages.
This 94-metre super science ship is packed with state-of-the-art equipment to enable vital ocean and atmospheric research for Australia. RV Investigator is a national workhorse for science and can travel over 10,000 nautical miles on a single voyage, carrying up to 60 scientists, technicians and crew on incredible voyages of exploration and discovery. The vessel delivers geoscience, atmospheric, biological, oceanographic and underwater cultural heritage research from the equator to the Antarctic ice-edge.
RV Investigator is part of the Marine National Facility, national collaborative research infrastructure funded by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, and operated by CSIRO on behalf of the nation.
Activities
Take this rare opportunity to step onboard and tour RV Investigator. Explore above and below decks to discover the latest in marine science equipment and technology. Speak with our expert researchers, technicians and crew about their unique work conducting science at sea.
Details
Tours will be self-guided at your own pace and take approximately 45 minutes. Visitors will depart in 15-minute slots and must be pre-booked. Tours are free, but places are strictly limited.
You will be required to show your ticket (digital or paper copy) to board the vessel.

Cool Beans: One woman's mission to reclaim fertility through men's health - Brisbane book launch
2025-11-18 17:30 - 19:30 | The Atrium, UQ Brisbane City 308 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
About
What if the missing piece in the fertility conversation wasn’t a woman’s body, but a man’s health?
Join Saara Jamieson, founder of Cool Beans Underwear® and passionate advocate for men’s and reproductive health, for an evening that’s about more than just a book, it’s about changing the conversation.
At the official Brisbane launch of COOL BEANS: One Woman’s Mission to Reclaim Fertility Through Men’s Health, Saara shares her inspiring personal story of infertility, resilience, and the mission that sparked a global movement for awareness and action.
🎤 Hosted by Andrew Jobling, with Professor John Cairney from UQ and a representative from City Fertility, who will share valuable insights into the importance of men’s health in fertility and overall wellbeing.
✨ Special guest: Foreword contributor Tory Trewhitt will also be joining the event.
🎥 Live Demo: Discover how the Cool Beans Underwear® medical device (ARTG 379655) supports fertility, testosterone balance, post-op recovery, oncology care, and more.
💬 Insightful Conversations: Explore the crucial role of men’s health in conception, wellbeing, and family planning.
📖 Book Signing & Networking: Meet Saara, connect with GPs, health professionals, and advocates over meaningful conversation.
This event is proudly sponsored by City Fertility and The University of Queensland (UQ).
Seats are limited, reserve yours early!
Pre-purchase your copy of COOL BEANS for pickup at the event:
https://coolbeansunderwear.com/products/cool-beans-book-brisbane-launch-pre-order-pickup-only
Let’s come together for an evening of awareness, science, and hope, one that challenges assumptions and inspires change in how we approach men’s fertility and wellbeing.

Stronger Together: Conversations on Men's Wellbeing
2025-11-19 17:30 - 20:30 | Riparian Plaza, Level 26/71 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD Australia 4000
About
Join us this International Men’s Day for an evening that’s changing the way we talk about men’s health.
Stronger Together: Conversations on Men’s Wellbeing brings together three inspiring speakers, Saara Jamieson, Andrew Jobling, and Justine Martin, who will share their expertise and lived experiences across men’s mental, physical, and hormonal health, as well as resilience, joy, and preparing the next generation.
This engaging and thought-provoking event will explore:
• How to support men’s wellbeing in real and practical ways
• The impact of redefining masculinity and reducing stigma
• Simple, evidence-based strategies to help men (and those who love them) thrive
Expect open conversation, meaningful insights, and tools you can use to make a difference right now, at home, at work, and in your community.
Let’s come together to honour the men in our lives and start a new conversation about what healthy masculinity and wellbeing truly look like.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
This event is for everyone, men themselves, and anyone who has a man in their life, partners, parents, friends, colleagues, and community members.
For too long, men’s health has been boxed in by outdated ideas of masculinity. Together, we’ll reset the conversation with stigma-free, practical steps that can be used today.
Whether you’re a man wanting to take charge of your wellbeing or someone who cares about the men in your life, this event offers useful, evidence-based tips for men and women, young and old.
What you learn will help the men you love now and reshape how the next generation talks about and prioritises men’s health.
Be part of this vital conversation, because when we stand together, we grow stronger together.

HOST:
About Peter Psaltis:
Channel 9 & Wide World of Sports commentator, the event will spark connection, challenge stigma, and inspire change.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
About Justine Martin:
Justine Martin is the Founder and CEO of the Justine Martin Corporation (JMC) and Morpheus Publishing, leading six thriving businesses, including Juzt art, Resilience Mindset, and Geelong Residential Cleaners. An award-winning artist, keynote speaker, resilience coach, author, and podcast host, Justine is the embodiment of perseverance and purpose.
After being told she would never work again following a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, three heart surgeries, and three primary cancers, Justine defied all odds. Through art and resilience, she rebuilt her life and career, proving that adversity can become a foundation for strength and growth.
At Stronger Together: Conversations on Men’s Wellbeing, Justine brings her powerful insights on resilience, vulnerability, and the importance of connection, reminding us that wellbeing isn’t defined by gender; it’s a shared human journey.
About Saara Jamieson:
Saara Jamieson is the founder of Cool Beans Underwear, the world’s first TGA-registered wearable medical device for testicular cooling and scrotal support. With a background in cancer genetics and medical research, Saara transformed her personal 3.5-year infertility journey into a globally recognised innovation in men’s health. She is a published scientific author, founder, and emerging thought leader driving bold conversations around fertility, preventative health, and male wellbeing.
Her journey spans from laboratory research to launching a high-impact MedTech product that has gained attention across healthcare, sport, and digital innovation sectors. Saara brings deep scientific insight, human-centred design, and commercial savvy into every conversation, making her a sought-after speaker, founder, and voice for change.
About Andrew Jobling:
Andrew Jobling is on a mission to create a global Wave of Wellness, inspiring people to live with purpose, health, and joyful longevity. A former professional Australian Football player turned best-selling author of eight books, including Eat Chocolate, Drink Alcohol and Be Lean & Healthy and T.E.A.R.S. of Joy, Andrew brings over 30 years of experience in health, mindset, and wellbeing.
As a speaker, Andrew engages audiences with humour, heart, and honesty, challenging outdated ideas of masculinity and showing that true strength comes from self-awareness, vulnerability, and balance. His message for International Men’s Day is simple yet powerful: every man is already enough.
Through his work, Andrew continues to help people, especially men, find purpose, joy, and a sustainable path to wellbeing, one conversation at a time.
Reserve your seat today, limited spots available!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this inspiring and transformative evening celebrating men’s wellbeing.
This event proudly supports Get Yourself Checked LTD, a charity removing the stigma around prostate cancer testing and empowering men to take charge of their health, starting with a simple blood test.

AIP Summer Meeting 2025
2025-12-01 - 2025-12-05 | University of Wollongong
The 2025 Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) Summer Meeting will be held on the 1 – 5 December 2025 at the University of Wollongong, Australia. This inexpensive meeting is designed for Australia-based professional scientists, academics, post-doctoral researchers and PhD students. The AIP Summer Meeting is the bi-annual meeting of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) that has run since 2017 in the capital cities Sydney (2017), Melbourne (2019), Brisbane (2021) and Canberra (2023). This is the first time that the Summer Meeting will be held in a regional location within Australia, and we are very proud to host this event at the University of Wollongong, NSW.
The Australian Institute of Physics is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the role of Physics in research, education, industry and the community. Since it was formed in 1963, evolving from the Australian Branch of the Institute of Physics in the UK (IOP), the AIP has served the needs and interests of professional physicists, and those with an interest in physics.

Topics
With 2025 announced as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, we will have a strong focus to celebrate Australia’s contribution to Quantum Physics, Quantum Technology and Quantum Computing. Medical and Health Physics will also feature prominently in the conference program, leveraging the capacity of the Centre for Medical and Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, which is a very well-established national and international leader in developing innovative technologies to improve cancer therapies. The conference topics include:-

Condensed Matter Physics
Materials Physics
Quantum Science and Technology
Atomic and Molecular Physics
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Nanophotonics and Nanoplasmonics
Nonlinear photonics
Quantum optics
Spectroscopy and Imaging
Biophotonics and Optical Sensors
THz Spectroscopy
Industrial Applied Physics

Education Physics
Astrophysics
Theoretical Physics
Biophysics
Gravitational waves
Laser Physics and Active Photonics
Fiber Optics and Communications
Medical Radiation Physics
Photonic Integrated Circuits
Astronomy Optics and Instrumentation
Novel Photonics Materials

Find out more and register: https://aip-summer-meeting.com/

Nerd Nite Melbourne #66
2025-12-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Howler, 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick
This is the LAST Nerd Nite Melbourne show of the year! On December 2nd (Tuesday night), we’re diving into: organisms in space(??), Jason Statham, and using fish to study human disease! From the mysteries of microgravity to the majesty of male-pattern action heroes, and the tiny fish with huge research cred, this lineup is making science (and cinema) sexy again.
So come for the facts, stay for the banter, and leave with at least three new niche obsessions and possibly an urge to shave your head, buy a fish tank, or launch something into orbit.
Be there. Be Square
Patrick Humbert
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Trichoplax is GO!
Description: Trichoplax (literally “Plate of Hair”) is one of the simplest and most ancient animals on Earth. The size of a grain of sand and found in all oceans around the world, this small pancake-like marine animal may hold the key to harnessing regeneration, preventing cancer and understanding how gravity regulates our health on earth and in space (no less!). It is also our favourite animal. I will describe our scientific journey with Trichoplax from its humble beginnings in Port Phillip Bay to its first space flight from the arctic circle, and why we think this simple animal holds the answer to Life, Space and Everything.
Bio: When Patrick is not wrangling a large medical research institute full of scientists at La Trobe University, or spending time with loved ones, he likes to dabble in electronic music, devour science fiction books, and ponder and discuss the mysteries of life and everything. The rest of his time is just spent on world domination. He still has a ways to go.
Socials:
Twitter/X: @pohumbert
Web: https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/phumbert
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-humbert-71925335
Clare Rankine
Jason Statham: Bigger. Bolder. Balder.
Description: Jason Statham: he’s not just a Teen Choice Award Nominated Actor, former Olympic Diver and Music Video Background Dancer, he’s also a BIG DEAL. Making hundreds of multimillion dollar action movies consecutively over the last 27 years, Jason isn’t slowing down anytime soon. But how did this man become so famous? Why are there so many bald action movie stars? Who is the Team behind Jason? All these questions and more WILL be answered EXTREMELY seriously by Clare Rankine in this punchy Nerd Nite presentation.
Bio: Clare Rankine is an award-winning comedy maker working in Naarm/Melbourne. She’s worked in film development in New York and Los Angeles and trained at Amy Poehler’s comedy school Upright Citizens Brigade under John Milhiser (Saturday Night Live). Clare is the creator of the hit live comedy show Jason Statham, I Love You. The anticipated sequel Jason Statham, I Love You 2 debuted at Melbourne Fringe in 2025.
Instagram: @clare.rankine
Seb Dworkin
Small Fins, Huge Wins: Big Answers – Little Fish
Description: Researchers typically can’t do research on humans, and so we use animal models. In Seb’s work, he uses the zebrafish as an incredible tool to understand embryo development. This little fish is a favourite of the scientific community owing to its rapid development, ability to see organs developing in real time, cool genetic manipulation tools, and amazingly high genetic similarity to humans. In this talk, Seb will tell you about some of the strengths of this model, some cool techniques we use, and a little bit about my own work, understanding how the brain and face develop.
Bio: Seb Dworkin is a research scientist, part-time trivia night host, rabid Hawks fan and full-time craft beer enthusiast. I love the mighty Hawks, cooking and home-brewing. I have been doing scientific research for over 20 years, trying to understand the basics of life – how do we go from being a single fertilised cell into a fully-developed human being – and the pitfalls that can occur on the journey. Using the mighty zebrafish as one of my research models, I aim to uncover the intricate pathways of genes that drive the formation and development of vertebrates.
Twitter/X: @DworkinSeb

2025 AIP Physics in Industry Forum: Future Space Technologies
2025-12-03 13:30 - 17:30 | University of Wollongong
In a deviation from decades of hosting this annual forum at CSIRO Lindfield, in 2025 we were invited to combine the Physics in Industry Day with the AIP’s Summer Meeting – a major physics conference, held for the first time in a regional centre: Wollongong.
The Physics in Industry Forum is scheduled for the Wednesday afternoon and will be open to the general public as well as any of the 400+ delegates at the conference.
Our 2025 topic has been chosen to align with local strengths in space technologies to attract delegates from further afield.
Space and space industries are a growing industrial segment in Australia. The nation possesses increasing numbers of companies with “space heritage” (launched something!) and with globally competitive technology. Space is an industry that instantly captures the imagination, but is also provides practical, inexpensive, routine benefits that we all use (potentially unknowingly) every single day. In our forum we will firstly consider successful space endeavours in Australia and delve into the more specialised topic of how to ensure the microelectronics in space-deployed systems operates flawlessly, is fault-tolerant and is designed to withstand the effects of radiation and cosmic interference.
Session 1: Succeeding in Space
We’ll hear from people and organisations who have succeeded in translating a great idea into space – be it a physical item or a service. What have been their challenges, celebrations and lessons learned? How can people get support in new space ventures?
Confirmed speakers: Craig Ingram, CSIRO Space Optics Team & Prof Anna Moore, Director, The Institute for Space, ANU.
Discussion panel
Afternoon tea
Session 2: Microelectronics in Space
This session will focus on the local expertise of UoW and ANSTO on the effects of radiation in space – on materials, people and microelectronics. Several local teams are characterising the Single Event Effects of cosmic radiation and particles on microelectronics, for example.
Confirmed speakers: Dr Stefania Peracchi, ANSTO
Radiation effects speaker, University of Wollongong, School of Physics
Discussion panel
The AIP Physics in Industry Forum is free to attend. As part of the AIP Summer Meeting program, participants are invited to register for the gala conference dinner on the same day at cost of $90 – registration and payment is via the main conference website https://aip-summer-meeting.com/ (select registration category “To attend social events only”).

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI in science and research
2025-12-09 17:30 - 19:00 | The Shine Dome
Curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world around us?
Join the Australian Academy of Science in 2025 for ‘AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward’ to explore the current and future implications of AI.
Discover how AI is helping scientists make breakthroughs in health and medicine, climate research, agriculture and food production, space exploration and more. The series will also delve into potential risks, limitations and ethical issues as AI becomes increasingly prominent in science and our society.
The six events in our public speaker series across 2025 will be a mix of panel discussions and presentations, and will feature a range of speakers from science, technology, social science, industry and government. Audiences, both in person and online, will have the opportunity to engage with speakers in the Q&A sessions at each event.

6th Asia-Pacific Conference on Condensed Matter Physics
2026-02-09 - 2026-02-13 | Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia
The Australian-New Zealand Annual Condensed Matter and Materials Conference, colloquially known as “Wagga”, has been held almost annually as a residential conference at the Charles Sturt University Conference Centre, Wagga Wagga, NSW, during early February, since 1977. We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, in-person conference where we can catch up and hear about recent advances in condensed matter research from around Australia and New Zealand.
In 2026 we are welcoming members of the Asia Pacific Condensed Matter Physics community to Australia! The AIP is a member of the Association of Asia Pacific Physics Societies (AAPPS) supporting physics research and collaboration throughout the Aisa-Pacific region. Since 2021, the AIP has also had representation on the executive committee of the AAPPS subgroup, the Division of Condensed Matter Physics.
Find out more: https://aip.org.au/CMM-Conference
