The year 2003 began on a sad note with the sudden death of Associate Professor Graeme Russell. Graeme had been associated with the School for more than four decades. He served on the staff for over 30 years, and has been one of its most influential members, not only as First Year Director for over two decades but also as a vigorous and engaging colleague. He will be deeply missed. The newly renovated courtyard entrance to the School is to be named “The Graeme Russell Lawn” in his memory.

In broad terms the year was one of change and challenge. The new Vice Chancellor, Professor Rory Hume, initiated a process of Vision Planning that engaged the School in a review both of its own priorities and its interaction with the broader community. Three research “focus areas” that will guide the School’s future development, were identified: Astrophysics, Biophysics, and Quantum Physics.

The newly appointed Dean of Science, Professor Dennis Lincoln, stepped down after less than 18 months in the position. Leadership of the Faculty then fell to Associate Professor Aldo Bagnara, who successfully navigated us for the remainder of the year.

Professor Jaan Oitmaa, who had served as Head of School from 1993 – 1998, retired mid-year, along with Associate Professor Robert Stening. Both remain closely associated with the School however, and maintain active research programs. We are delighted that the University has bestowed the title of Emeritus Professor upon Jaan, in recognition of his long and distinguished service.

Highlights include the award of an Australian Government Federation Fellowship to Professor Michelle Simmons. Michelle joins Professor Bob Clark as the second member of the School to win one of these prestigious awards, and the School can now boast that it hosts the only two Federation Fellows in the Faculty.

The School’s Department of Astrophysics has now been ranked in the top 1% of space science groups world-wide by the international ranking agency ISI. The ranking is based on the total number of citations to published papers. Interestingly, when the ranking is done on the basis of citations per paper (which takes into account the relatively small size of our group), we actually surpass Caltech, MIT and Oxford.

Teaching innovation continued apace, with particular focus on our laboratories and their role in promoting “active learning”. The first stage of our teaching space refurbishment was almost complete by the end of the year, with the entire First Year Laboratory being rebuilt as the “Alpha” laboratory and flexible learning space.

As the year drew to a close, the School was confronting a major financial deficit, brought on by a sudden drop in income as a result of changes to our funding formula at the beginning of 2003. The School’s previously sound financial position is now under serious threat, and innovative solutions will be needed in coming years to maintain our position as one of Australia’s leading physics schools.

Professor John Storey
Head of School
May 2004