You are invited to join the Australian Academy of Science in exploring the remarkable work of Professor Sir Mark Oliphant AC KBE FAA FTSE FRS—one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century and the Academy’s founding President.
On what would have been his 123rd birthday, this fifth instalment of the 2024 public speaker series will focus on Professor Oliphant’s crucial contributions to the development of particle accelerators, and how his scientific expertise contributed to some of the most significant technological breakthroughs which continue to improve our lives today. Our speakers will also look at Oliphant's impact more broadly, and how he helped build Australia's understanding of science and its importance to society.
Professor Nanda Dasgupta FAA and Dr Ed Simpson from the Australian National University (ANU) will dive into Professor Oliphant’s pioneering research on nuclear fusion and learn how his experiments paved the way for our modern understanding of energy release from atomic nuclei. We will discover how his early work laid the foundation for future innovations in nuclear technology.
Mark Oliphant AC KBE FAA FTSE FRS (1901–2000) was a distinguished Australian physicist whose groundbreaking work left an indelible mark on the field of nuclear science.
Renowned for his pioneering research in nuclear fusion, Professor Oliphant’s experiments were crucial in understanding how atomic nuclei can merge to release energy. His innovative work on particle accelerators, particularly cyclotrons, revolutionised experimental nuclear physics and advanced our ability to probe the fundamental nature of matter.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Professor Oliphant played a key role in the development of nuclear technology during World War II, contributing his expertise to the Manhattan Project. His contributions have had lasting impacts on both theoretical and applied physics, shaping the future of nuclear energy and particle physics.
Professor Oliphant’s leadership extended beyond his scientific work. As the founding President of the Australian Academy of Science, serving from 1954 to 1960, he was instrumental in advancing the scientific community in Australia, promoting research and fostering collaboration. His presidency helped establish the Academy as a leading institution for scientific excellence and innovation in the country.
Professor Nanda Dasgupta is an experimental physicist and Director of the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility in the Department of Nuclear Physics at ANU. This facility is the largest and highest voltage ion accelerator in Australia and one of only three in the world.
Professor Dasgupta is a world leader in measuring and understanding the complex quantum interactions occurring in collisions of heavy nuclei. She was the first woman to be tenured in the Research School of Physics at ANU, was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2011, and currently sits on the National Science and Technology Council.
Dr Ed Simpson is a nuclear physicist and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Nuclear Physics and Accelerator Applications at ANU. His research focuses on nuclear collisions and how they can be used in fundamental science, from the quantum mechanics that govern fusion to the reactions that power stars. Increasingly, his research seeks to build a bridge between foundational nuclear science and nuclear applications, from particle beam cancer therapies to understanding the effects of radiation on spacecraft.
Dr Simpson is also a former Australian Science Policy Fellow, contributing to science policy at the then Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. In these roles, he supported Australia’s delegation to the International Panel on Climate Change and helped develop the 2021 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap.
Date: Tuesday 8 October 2024
Time: 5.30pm–6.00pm at the venue for refreshments, followed by the talks 6.00pm–7.00pm AEDT
Venue: The Shine Dome Canberra, and online livestream
Cost: $17 to attend in person, free online
Australian Academy of Science Biographical Memoir
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The Australian Academy of Science’s public speaker series in 2024, our 70th anniversary year, is looking at our history and into our future.
In each instalment, we follow the story of one scientific discipline, with an Academy Fellow and an early-career researcher as our expert guides.
Across geology, virology, astronomy and more, we trace our science history from landmark discoveries to the present cutting edge of Australian science.
Along the way, we are getting to know the Academy’s iconic earliest Fellows who shaped Australian science: from Mark Oliphant to Frank Fenner to Dorothy Hill. We experience the challenges and curly conundrums they grappled with, celebrate their triumphs and breakthroughs, and look ahead to today’s emerging generation of top minds following in their footsteps.
More information about the whole series is available on the series webpage. Tickets to individual events are available for $17 (in person) or free (online).
events@science.org.au
You are invited to join the Australian Academy of Science in exploring the remarkable work of Professor Sir Mark Oliphant AC KBE FAA FTSE FRS—one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century and the Academy’s founding President.
On what would have been his 123rd birthday, this fifth instalment of the 2024 public speaker series will focus on Professor Oliphant’s crucial contributions to the development of particle accelerators, and how his scientific expertise contributed to some of the most significant technological breakthroughs which continue to improve our lives today. Our speakers will also look at Oliphant's impact more broadly, and how he helped build Australia's understanding of science and its importance to society.
Professor Nanda Dasgupta FAA and Dr Ed Simpson from the Australian National University (ANU) will dive into Professor Oliphant’s pioneering research on nuclear fusion and learn how his experiments paved the way for our modern understanding of energy release from atomic nuclei. We will discover how his early work laid the foundation for future innovations in nuclear technology.
Mark Oliphant AC KBE FAA FTSE FRS (1901–2000) was a distinguished Australian physicist whose groundbreaking work left an indelible mark on the field of nuclear science.
Renowned for his pioneering research in nuclear fusion, Professor Oliphant’s experiments were crucial in understanding how atomic nuclei can merge to release energy. His innovative work on particle accelerators, particularly cyclotrons, revolutionised experimental nuclear physics and advanced our ability to probe the fundamental nature of matter.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Professor Oliphant played a key role in the development of nuclear technology during World War II, contributing his expertise to the Manhattan Project. His contributions have had lasting impacts on both theoretical and applied physics, shaping the future of nuclear energy and particle physics.
Professor Oliphant’s leadership extended beyond his scientific work. As the founding President of the Australian Academy of Science, serving from 1954 to 1960, he was instrumental in advancing the scientific community in Australia, promoting research and fostering collaboration. His presidency helped establish the Academy as a leading institution for scientific excellence and innovation in the country.
Professor Nanda Dasgupta is an experimental physicist and Director of the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility in the Department of Nuclear Physics at ANU. This facility is the largest and highest voltage ion accelerator in Australia and one of only three in the world.
Professor Dasgupta is a world leader in measuring and understanding the complex quantum interactions occurring in collisions of heavy nuclei. She was the first woman to be tenured in the Research School of Physics at ANU, was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2011, and currently sits on the National Science and Technology Council.
Dr Ed Simpson is a nuclear physicist and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Nuclear Physics and Accelerator Applications at ANU. His research focuses on nuclear collisions and how they can be used in fundamental science, from the quantum mechanics that govern fusion to the reactions that power stars. Increasingly, his research seeks to build a bridge between foundational nuclear science and nuclear applications, from particle beam cancer therapies to understanding the effects of radiation on spacecraft.
Dr Simpson is also a former Australian Science Policy Fellow, contributing to science policy at the then Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. In these roles, he supported Australia’s delegation to the International Panel on Climate Change and helped develop the 2021 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap.
Date: Tuesday 8 October 2024
Time: 5.30pm–6.00pm at the venue for refreshments, followed by the talks 6.00pm–7.00pm AEDT
Venue: The Shine Dome Canberra, and online livestream
Cost: $17 to attend in person, free online
The Australian Academy of Science’s public speaker series in 2024, our 70th anniversary year, is looking at our history and into our future.
In each instalment, we follow the story of one scientific discipline, with an Academy Fellow and an early-career researcher as our expert guides.
Across geology, virology, astronomy and more, we trace our science history from landmark discoveries to the present cutting edge of Australian science.
Along the way, we are getting to know the Academy’s iconic earliest Fellows who shaped Australian science: from Mark Oliphant to Frank Fenner to Dorothy Hill. We experience the challenges and curly conundrums they grappled with, celebrate their triumphs and breakthroughs, and look ahead to today’s emerging generation of top minds following in their footsteps.
More information about the whole series is available on the . are available for $17 (in person) or free (online).
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events@science.org.au
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
