The year 2000 was one of review and consolidation for the School of Physics. As anticipated, the University launched into a campus-wide examination of the delivery of science programs, a process given the auspicious title of "Towards a Strong Future for Science at UNSW". An intense and, at times, difficult debate took place across the University over several months, conducted both as an open email forum and through a series of standing-room-only meetings in the Council Chambers.

By the end of the year it was clear that all future options for UNSW would include the preservation and strengthening of the basic science schools - Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics - as a high priority. The vision for the future that the School of Physics has of itself -to continue as an internationally recognised centre of research and teaching- has found good favour with the University at large.

We were sorry to lose two of our valued staff during the year - Peter Kramel to become an electrical linesman, and Phil Spark to build a house.

On the research side, the School brought in over $3,000K of peer-reviewed funding - not including the ARC's $4,562K support of its Special Research Centre in Quantum Computing Technology. That Centre has gone from strength to strength, pulling in an additional $2,652K of funding from Australian and US sources during 2000.

In this year's Annual Report we are not listing all our publications - these are listed separately in the DETYA Report. However, as an important measure of the School's research performance I am pleased to report that the School published 171 refereed papers, 3 books and 4 book chapters. Once again UNSW physicists were on their feet throughout the year talking about their work on every one of the seven continents. A total of 230 presentations were made to audiences ranging from school children to national advisory committees - and that doesn't include media appearances!

Excellence in teaching continues to be a strength of the School, with continuous review and improvement a hallmark of our programs. Virtually every one of our lecture courses (over 90 % in 2000) is evaluated through student questionnaires, providing invaluable feedback to our course planners.

The year concluded with the Australian government's release of the long awaited Batterham Report, which backed up calls for a massive re-investment in science with hard economic data.

At long last government indifference to science is being replaced with a recognition that rhetoric alone is not enough. With substantially increased government investment in science likely in the coming years, UNSW Physics is well positioned to play its role as a leading centre of both research and teaching.

Professor John Storey
Head of School
April 2001