Eleven of Australia’s brightest early-career scientists have attended the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, this year dedicated to physics.
The event, held from 30 June to 5 July in Germany, is a highly prestigious annual gathering of Nobel Laureates and approximately 600 young scientists from around the world.
It provides a unique opportunity for the young scientists to share their research, experiences and ideas, and gain inspiration from fellow emerging scientists and Nobel Laureates.
As well as meeting their heroes, the Australian delegates held their own at the event. Grace Tabi from the Australian National University (ANU) presented her research on perovskite solar cells, while Claire Yung, also from ANU, gave a presentation on turbulent fluid dynamics in Antarctic ice shelf melt predictions.
Posting about their experiences via Academy communication channels, the delegates shared in their final X (formerly Twitter) thread: “Reflecting on the experience, #LINO24 was truly enriching. We carry with us new ideas and perspectives, empowered by the shared knowledge of Nobel Laureates and fellow young scientists. Together, we will use these insights to shape a brighter future!”
As part of the group’s travel, the Academy organised a research innovation tour in Berlin in the lead-up to the Lindau meeting.
The tour enabled the young scientists to visit a range of prestigious research institutes connected to their fields of studies, including:
They met the Australian Ambassador, Ms Natasha Smith, at the Australian Embassy in Berlin and learnt about the role of science in Australia and Germany’s bilateral relationship.
Dr Barnali Das of CSIRO said the Lindau meeting filled her with a new sense of responsibility to society and strengthened her love for physics.
“Overall, the whole trip, including the Berlin Innovation tour, has provided me with a positivity that, I hope, will stay with me forever."
The Australian delegation was led by astrophysicist and Academy Fellow Professor Elaine Sadler and supported by optical physicist and Academy Fellow Professor Hans Bachor.
Participation in the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings is proudly supported by the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF) and administered by the Australian Academy of Science.
Next year’s 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which is dedicated to the discipline of chemistry, will be held from 29 June to 4 July 2025.
Applications for the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting will open in August 2024.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
