Blogs

17 April 2025 
The IOP’s Rachel Hartley outlines how a recent study suggests cognitive science can unlock innovative new approaches to teaching physics – with the power to transform how we learn content-rich topics in our field and beyond.

4 February 2025 
At ASE’s recent conference, the IOP was among those highlighting efforts within the physics education community to bolster the sector as it faces increasing challenges. We needed the event and the connections it fosters more than ever, writes Hari Rentala.

19 June 2024 
Manifestos by the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and Labour have landed – the IOP’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Elizabeth Chamberlain, summarises the key commitments relevant to physics and to the IOP’s asks for an incoming government.

15 April 2024
The proposed education reforms are an interesting start but they need to be more ambitious, holistic and coherent to ensure meaningful change, write Hari Rentala and Alex Heatley.

15 March 2024 
Anne Crean, Head of Science and Innovation, shares details of three ‘impact projects’ on physics topics where the IOP will take action throughout 2024.

11 March 2024
Funding for science in African universities remains limited, but this new investment can unlock a huge talent pool to address global challenges, writes Dominic Hurley, Head of International Relations.

23 February 2024
Head of Policy and Public Affairs Elizabeth Chamberlain outlines the priorities for an incoming government.

9 February 2024
The IOP’s latest Solving Skills report shows that employers’ efforts to bolster physics-related apprenticeships are working – but this must just be a start to help kickstart the economy and give hope to a generation of youngsters in STEM, writes Hari Rentala.

20 November 2023 
In this week’s autumn statement, the government has a chance to provide much-needed clarity around R&D tax credits and thus drive physics innovation, writes John Bagshaw, the IOP’s Vice-President for Business.

27 October 2023
In the final IOP blog from the conferences, Public Affairs Advisor Oliver Williams finds a party making plans for power – science, energy and technology were very much in the discussion.

18 October 2023
Charles Tracy, IOP Senior Adviser, Learning and Skills, reflects on proposals for major reform of 16-19 qualifications.

18 October 2023
Public Affairs Manager John Punter reports from a Tory conference struggling to see past next year’s general election. 

5 October 2023
From giving evidence to a government inquiry to inspiring the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs, the IOP’s quantum ‘impact project’ has generated significant impact, including a new IOP group, reports Director of Science, Innovation and Skills Louis Barson.

29 September 2023 
Education and Industrial Strategy held a prominent place at the Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference in Bournemouth this week, and I was there to find out more on behalf of the IOP, writes Eluned Parrot, Head of Wales.

22 August 2023
The IOP sat down with Andrei Dragomir, Founder and CEO of Aquark Technologies, to discuss what involvement in the quantum Business Innovation and Growth (qBIG) Prize has meant for his innovative company.

14 July 2023
Rachel Youngman, IOP Deputy Chief Executive, reflects on the IOP's impact over the last four years.

12 July 2023
Limit Less campaign has teamed up with Governors for Schools to promote inclusion and dismantle the barriers preventing many young students following their chosen paths.

5 June 2023
Wenmiao Yu, a committee member of the quantum Business and Innovation (qBIG) Group, witnesses quantum gravitating from the lab to the marketplace – as well as the award of the first IOP qBIG Prize – at Commercialising Quantum Global 2023.

19 May 2023
The UK government’s semiconductor strategy is a good start but the key will be preparing for what comes next by investing in physics skills and developing a competitive edge on next-gen capability, writes Louis Barson.

14 April 2023
The government’s new quantum strategy is a sure sign that the qBIG group’s work is valued and it has an exciting future, writes founding committee member Ian Reid.

30 March 2023
The IOP’s science media reporting campaign is already toasting its first success.

29 March 2023
Keen tabloid watchers will have spotted the excitable reaction from the Daily Star to our campaign on the media reporting of science this week, writes Rachel Youngman.

14 March 2023
Tom Grinyer visits Scotland and finds IOP staff and members, MSPs and other physicists in buoyant mood.

19 January 2023
There are a few rays of sunshine in the driving rain of a dire economic situation. Will any light fall on physics?

5 December 2022
An in-depth look at how the government’s economic agenda will shape our sector.

16 November 2022
Short-termist spending cuts would impede scientists’ progress and hobble the forward-thinking technologies set to drive growth, say the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

11 November 2022
Dominic Hurley’s visits to sub-Saharan Africa have made clear that the UK must invest in physics-based talent there to tackle pressing global challenges.

25 August 2022
More must be done to make the subject attractive to girls and to make better use of physics to bolster the economy – but there are reasons for optimism.

20 May 2022
The IOP will keep a watchful eye on and aim to influence the government’s plans set to shape our sector.

18 March 2022
Investing in and nurturing the next generation of scientists and technicians will further strengthen the UK’s ability to tackle the 21st century’s economic and social challenges, helping us build a prosperous future.

8 February 2022
The government must harness the broad palette of physics skills if it wants to redress economic and social imbalances across the UK’s nations and regions, writes Tony McBride.

28 January 2022
Physics is a leading force behind innovation and R&D. But the UK government must enhance support for our industries now to address skills shortages, boost the economy and drive the green revolution, writes Rachel Youngman.

12 January 2022
IOP Deputy Chief Executive Rachel Youngman says our new report shows that the UK and Ireland are already falling short in harnessing the power of physics skills.

20 July 2021

In early 2021 the APPG for Diversity and Inclusion in STEM launched an inquiry into equity in the STEM workforce. Sarah Bakewell, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, talks about where the key recommendations of the STEM workforce inquiry could have most impact.

21 October 2020
As our Limit Less campaign launches, Ray Mitchell, Head of Campaign Strategy, explains how the experiences of people in the physics community have shaped the campaign – and why understanding these perspectives and lived experiences is so vital to its success.

29 May 2020
The challenges presented by the current crisis do not stop at our borders but are being felt across the globe. Dominic Hurley, Head of International Relations, talks about how the IOP have continued to support projects and engage with our counterparts around the world.

17 January 2020
On the eve of the UK-Africa Investment Summit, IOP Deputy Chief Executive Rachel Youngman argues that increased physics research collaboration with African countries is key to tackling global challenges.