News and events blog
Visit our blog for the latest information about what's happening in the Department of Physics:
Physics in University news
17 Mar 2025
Meet the Cooks - aka the physics family
If the Cook siblings miss their daily catch up over dinner at the family’s home, they may be able to share morning tea a...
30 Jan 2025
Otago scientists discover Antarctic fast ice secrets
University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka scientists have successfully analysed more than 30 years of vital data on the...
17 Oct 2024
Sciences students receive Woolf Fisher Scholarships
Two students based in the Division of Sciences have been awarded prestigious 2025 Woolf Fisher Scholarships to pursue th...
14 Oct 2024
Otago physicist among first Google award recipients
A University of Otago quantum physicist is among the first group of international researchers globally to receive a new...
07 Aug 2024
Otago to welcome international light physicist as Prestige Visitor
Internationally recognised theoretical physicist Sir Michael Berry will visit the University of Otago this month and pre...
27 Jun 2024
Time to get lost in space
How old is the universe? What are stars made of? Does intelligent life exist out there? If you’ve ever pondered such thi...
15 May 2024
Otago work protects power grid during aurora
Modelling and advice from University of Otago scientists helped to protect New Zealand’s power grid during the solar sto...
09 Jan 2024
Study backs healthier homes over rooftop solar for healthier grid
Rather than pushing for large-scale uptake of rooftop solar power, New Zealand needs to focus on improving the energy ef...
20 Dec 2023
Off-Campus: Defying gravity is a lifestyle
When Otago’s Dr Jonathan Squire isn’t researching astrophysical plasma and fluid dynamics, or teaching quantum physics a...
22 Nov 2023
Study highlights need to keep an eye on the ozone hole
Despite public perception, the Antarctic ozone hole has been remarkably massive and long-lived over the past four years,...
14 Sep 2023
Government invests in tiny tech with global potential
An ambitious and internationally-connected programme to leverage New Zealand’s niche expertise in quantum technology res...
01 Apr 2023
Burn baby burn, disco… soup?
A pair of Otago University student sisters are putting in the mahi to raise awareness about food waste and its impacts o...