The biggest challenges in physics and how this might affect society in the coming decades are captured in a new open access ebook from the European Physical Society.

The book, Physics for Society in the Horizon 2050, explores some of the most pressing and promising aspects of modern science in support of better living standards: from the smallest objects we observe such as particles, atoms, and cells, to the large scientific enquiries on stars, galaxies, and the mysteries of the universe.

The encyclopaedia-like work is part of the European Physical Society’s project ‘Grand Challenges: Physics for Society at the Horizon 2050’. The project explores our ability to imagine and shape the future by assessing how physics can help us understand nature and how physics can help tackle major issues affecting the lives of citizens by 2050 making recommendations of actions to policy makers.

Carlos Hidalgo, editor of Physics for Society in the Horizon 2050, says: “This book explores some of the most pressing questions in physics and supports EPS’s Horizon strategy. The interesting thing about the perspective of this work is the human ability to imagine and shape the future by making use of the scientific method and how interdisciplinarity enables connections to be established across various fields of knowledge to address some of the grand scientific and societal challenges that lie ahead us.”

The book is available in full for anyone to read on the IOPscience platform and is aimed at professionals involved in advancing the scientific method, and those with an interest in how science can shape society.

Author: Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation

In 2019, the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation in Germany started the new series of binational Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Seminars with the aim to strengthen existing cooperation between scientists from Germany and a European partner country or to initiate new ones (see http://www.epsnews.eu/2019/10/physics-and-life/). These seminars were initially conducted in cooperation with the German Physical Society (DPG), which maintains close relations with the Physical Societies of France, United Kingdom and Poland and awards binational scientific prizes together with them. Therefore, the winners of these prizes were offered the opportunity to organise a binational seminar.

To further deepen cooperation with other European countries (and even worldwide) the Foundation has recently decided to lift the restriction to France, UK and Poland and to the winners of the binational prizes. Therefore, the Foundation welcomes applications from scientists in Germany and a partner country to a binational Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Seminar which can take place either in Germany or the partner country. For more information see https://www.we-heraeus-stiftung.de/english/

Author: Fiona Dorrington

On 25 May 2021, the IOP hosted a workshop with European Member Societies, sponsored by the European Physical Society (EPS) on creating and developing a code of conduct. The workshop was attended by 23 delegates from across 19 countries. It was chaired by Rachel Youngman, IOP Deputy Chief Executive and the outgoing President of EPS, Petra Rudolph, with closing remarks from the incoming President, Luc Bergé.  

The scope of the workshop was for EPS member societies to leave with an action plan to create and implement a code of conduct that ensures the safe participation of all meetings, conference and event attendees. The aim is to work towards an inclusive and equitable culture in STEM across Europe, where all physicists can access and participate in physics, with their safety and protections ensured.  
 
The IOP will be sharing the conference report with attendees in the near future, which will include recommendations for delegates from each of the presentations and support pack of templates and good-practice examples. The IOP will be in attendance at the 2022 EPS council meeting, as a follow-up meeting to discuss progress, share experiences and address challenges as an international community.
 
The case for professional conduct was made by UKRI, using the evidence base and findings through their research. Examples of code of conducts in use followed from IOP, EPS and EPS Equal Opportunities Committee, sharing learnings from the creation and revisions that have been made and included lessons learned. A panel discussion followed, prompting discussion from issues raised, exploring some challenges in greater detail, especially looking at the role of positive action vs positive discrimination.

CERN presented the later session, sharing their experience of developing a harassment investigating framework, and provided practical tips and advice for the creation of one. Delegates then divided into two streams, one focusing on the creation of a code of conduct, with the latter focusing on utilising and strengthening. Delegates then returned to the main room, where feedback and final reflections were shared.

author: Institute of Physics

 Professor Qi-Kun Xue

The Institute of Physics (IOP) and IOP Publishing (IOPP) have appointed Professor Qi-Kun Xue as chief scientific advisor for China.

In the newly created role, Professor Xue will support the IOP and IOPP as they continue to strengthen relationships with the scientific community in China. He will advise on strategic engagement with key decision makers in government and the scientific community and provide expert insight into political and institutional processes. He will also lead a new Science Advisory Board made up of distinguished academic and industry professionals, which has been formed by the organisations to provide guidance on developments in research and academic publishing throughout China.

Professor Xue is currently Vice President of Tsinghua University, Beijing and President of Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences (BAQIS). He is also a Vice-President of the Chinese Physical Society.

He received his BSc from Shan-Dong University in 1984 and his PhD in condensed matter physics from the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOPCAS) in 1994.

His academic career began as a Research Associate at the Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Japan. He progressed to Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at North Carolina State University in 1996. Xue received his professorship from IOPCAS in 1999 and moved to the Department of Physics, Tsinghua University as a Distinguished Professor, in 2005.

In 2016, he was the first recipient of the Physical Science Award of the new Future Science Prize – China’s first non-governmental science award – for his ground-breaking discoveries of novel quantum phenomena using molecular beam epitaxy, including quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) and monolayer FeSe superconductivity.

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Xue, said: “Thanks to substantial investment, and the hard work and dedicated focus of its research community, China is at the forefront of science globally. I am very proud to be helping the Institute of Physics and IOP Publishing in their efforts to forge closer working relationships with the scientific community in China.”

Professor Paul Hardaker, Chief Executive Officer at the Institute of Physics, said: “We are honoured that Professor Xue has agreed to become our first chief scientific advisor for China. It’s extremely important for us to strengthen and develop our links with China’s scientific community, to enable us to learn from one another and foster greater collaboration. I’m looking forward to working closely with Professor Xue and the Advisory Board in the coming years to achieve this.”

Antonia Seymour, Director of Publishing at IOP Publishing, said: “At IOP Publishing we’re very fortunate to have published some of the most significant research from scientists in China, many of whom are considered world leaders in their fields. Alongside our colleagues at IOP, we feel very privileged to have access to the advice and guidance of Professor Xue as we work to build our links with the Chinese research community.”