News Archive

Leading University of Western Australia researcher, Professor Jim Williams, has received the oldest and most prestigious Award of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS).

A Professor of Physics for more than 20 years, Professor Williams received the Endowed Hare Professorial Lecture Award for his contributions to physics and his promotion of science.

The award was established to honour the work of David Hare who laid the foundations for broad participation in education which led ultimately to the establishment of the IACS.

Professor Williams gave his lecture on Angular Momentum Phenomena in Atomic Physics recently at IACS, Kolkata.  The lecture traced the history of how the spin of electrons and positrons has shaped our knowledge of the structure of materialsDuring his long career Professor Williams has explored atomic and quantum physics, always spurred on by the challenges of problem solving and designing new instrumentation. Currently his research group is considering the angular momentum of positrons to answer questions such as: Can a spinning positron track a radiopharmaceutical transported in an artery? Will a spinning positron make PET scanning more sensitive and accurate?

Professor Williams says in India it is easy to generate excitement in physics. "You just ask: Why does a moving bicycle not fall over?  Why does the flight path of a spinning cricket ball curve? People enjoy the opportunity to interact with visitors." He added he was delighted to receive the award.

"It is a wonderful recognition for more than 40 years' interaction with the Asian region, and particularly with India. My first visit to India was in the1950s as a member of the National Union of Australian University Students.  It has been an interesting experience to interact with physicists of all ages. It was an historical moment to be in Kolkata on 26 January, a day that was Republic of India Day and Australia Day."

Media references

Professor Jim Williams (+61 8) 6488 2744
Sally Ann Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8) 6488 7975  /  (+61 4) 20 790 098