Women in Physics Lecture Tour: Public Lecture, Prof Susan Coppersmith
Public Lecture: What do theoretical physicists do?
EQUS Associate Investigator Prof Susan Coppersmith is the AIP'S 2024 Women In Physics Lecturer.
The Women In Physics Lecture tour celebrates and recognises women’s contributions in physics.
When: Thursday 17th October, 5:30pm - 7pm (AEDT)
Location: UNSW Sydney Councikll Chambers, The Chancellery, Gate 9 High Street Kensington, NSW 2052
Lecture Title: What do theoretical physicists do?
Physics is important because of its intellectual depth and beauty, and also because understanding physics leads new technologies that can greatly enhance our lives. But how does physics get done, and what is like to be a physicist?
The physics focus of the talk is quantum mechanics, which says that every subatomic particle has both particle-like and wave-like properties. Quantum mechanics has enabled advances including lasers and smartphones and continues to give rise to new technologies such as quantum computers. The talk will describe the back-and-forth between theory and experiment that is critical to progress. It will also discuss the process for becoming a physicist and what working as a physicist is like.
Bio:
Prof Coppersmith is a theoretical condensed matter physicist who has made substantial contributions to the understanding of a broad range of subjects, including glasses, biominerals, granular materials, and quantum computers.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Institute of Physics, and the National Academy of Sciences in the USA. She is currently serving as Head of the School of Physics at UNSW Sydney.
Major funding support
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.