Recent Press Releases

Increased investment pays off for UK physics research

PR01(06)

Wed, 23 May 2007

(Distributed by the Institute of Physics on behalf of the sponsoring bodies to the review - the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC), the Institute of Physics and the Royal Astronomical Society)

The increase in the UK science budget has paid dividends for UK physics and astronomy research as a panel of leading international scientists report that the nation’s research in these fields has improved since a similar review undertaken in 2000.

Professor Jürgen Mlynek, from the Helmholtz Association, Germany, chaired a 14-strong panel of physicists and astronomers from across the world who visited the UK in autumn 2005. Their review provides an assessment of the quality of UK research in physics and astronomy compared to that in other leading science nations.

The review is the second time that the UK’s physics and astronomy research has been compared to international standards – the first review was in 2000.  Professor Mlynek and his team visited 12 university physics and astronomy departments and the CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Five members of the panel also participated in the 2000 review.

Launching the report Professor Mlynek commented, “The panel were struck by the general improvement in the research environment and the positive outlook of those involved in the research effort at all levels. Progress has clearly been made and the UK is now well placed to reap the benefit of the investment that has been made since the 2000 review.”

However, he went on to warn against complacency, saying, “Continued progress depends crucially on maintaining the increased level of funding that has taken place over the last few years. The panel cannot overstress the importance of this funding for the continued health of the subject, and for continuation of the benefits it brings to society and the economy”.

The panel also expressed deep concern that physics has ceased to be an identifiable discipline in a number of UK universities – threatening the UK’s ability to produce sufficient physics graduates needed to compete on an international basis.

Some of the review’s findings include:

• The UK has world class research departments in astrophysics and solar system physics, nuclear physics and particle physics.
• The UK continues to be internationally innovative in laser physics, non-linear optics and photonics.
• Although progress has been made in improving atomic, molecular and optical physics, the UK has still not fully recovered its world leadership position.
• Theorists in quantum information and computation are leaders in their field – although experimental work is not as strong.
• Fundamental condensed matter physics has some notable strengths, however some important fields still fall below a standard of international leadership.
• Nanoscience and surface science both suffer from patchy coverage and lack coherence.
• There are a small number of prominent research groups in soft matter physics, but many physics students are not made aware of this exciting topic.
• Biophysics has been rejuvenated in the past five years but internationally visible research is not being carried out in physics departments.

Commenting on the panel’s findings, Dr Robert Kirby-Harris, chief executive of the Institute of Physicssaid, “The Institute is pleased that the panel identified improvement in UK physics research since the last review but we note that they share the Institute’s concerns that the erosion of physics within the higher education system could jeopardise this progress”.

Dr Mike Hapgood, secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society, also supported the outcome of the review. “The Royal Astronomical Society warmly welcomes the panel’s conclusion that UK astrophysics and solar system physics are poised for a very productive decade, and its recognition of the fact that this can be achieved only if the various funding agencies have sufficient means to support the range of UK expertise,” he said.

“We welcome the panel’s findings that significant progress has been made since the last report,” said Professor John O’Reilly the chief executive of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. “The review, however, clearly raises a number of issues surrounding research in physics in the UK. We look forward to working with colleagues in the physics community to address these challenges and to build on the progress that has already been made.”

Professor Keith Mason, chief executive of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) congratulated the panel on its hard work and added, "The report is most encouraging, highlighting as it does the world-class status of research departments in PPARC science areas. Our scientists and technologists are respected and valued on a global scale. To maintain this international reputation it is imperative that government keeps faith and continues to invest in fundamental physics. The alternative is not an option."

^ To the top ^