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Here you will find the latest member announcements along with signposting to advice and support on developments affecting the physics community.
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13 August 2024
Member survey results: You spoke. We listened.
In this update, we set out what you told us – and how we are going to continue to make changes.
Read more about the member survey results.
21 June 2024
IOP event promotes female role models in STEM
The Development Team hopes similar gatherings can inspire young physicists. Read on to find out how to join one.
Who wouldn’t have been excited by the 2024 Celebration of Physics, held by the IOP at Silverstone on 4 June? Attendees had the chance to:
- try their hand at a race-car simulator;
- listen to exciting talks (including on the future of spaced-based solar power); and
- celebrate Award winners from across the IOP community.
Alongside the main programme, the IOP Development Team was pleased to hold a small-group event with a real-life racing driver: Abbi Pulling, F1 Academy driver for Rodin Motorsport and Alpine Racing Academy driver. She spoke alongside Ann Hodgetts, mechanical engineer and Southwest STEM Lead for STEMazing, an inclusion not-for-profit, with IOP group chief executive Tom Grinyer hosting.
Abbi and Ann had a wide-ranging discussion about their fields, and it was insightful to hear about where their experiences aligned. The importance of getting young people to see themselves in particular roles stood out. Ann described how STEMazing’s Inspiration Academy connects primary school children with women in STEM as visible role models; Abbi reflected on the encouragement and mentorship she had from other racers in her family.
Audience members (from industry, the charities sector and government) then had a chance to question our panel. When asked for her favourite race from her career, Abbi might have chosen her recent double win on the Miami circuit. Instead, she described a rainy afternoon in the junior leagues where she was struck off-track at Brands Hatch. Despite dropping into last place, she fought her way back to a top-three finish.
We were also pleased to be joined by our President, Professor Sir Keith Burnett, who opened the event with remarks on the importance of our attendees’ support for the IOP.
We think this event gave our invitees a different way to think about the importance of access to STEM careers on and off the racetrack, as well as a chance to network. We look forward to holding similar gatherings in the future.
If you would like to know more, please contact Ozdemir Ahmet at [email protected].
(l-r) Professor Sir Keith Burnett, Tom Grinyer, Abbi Pulling and Ann Hodgetts
Connect with an IOP Special Interest Group
Women in Physics Group chair Dawn Watson highlights the benefits of joining the IOP’s groups.
Advice and support
Brexit: information for members
Signposting to advice and support following Brexit and in light of the UK’s trade deal with the EU.