News: School of Physical Sciences
Esteemed gravitational wave scientist appointed head of School of Physical Sciences
![Peter Veitch](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-04/peter-veitch-large-rhs_0.jpg?h=2f83cd36&itok=gEWaQsZ-)
Professor Peter Veitch has been appointed Head of the School of Physical Sciences.
Neanderthals and Homo sapiens more similar than previously thought
![The marine abrasion platform of MIS 5e and the original, now-unroofed cave space. Image: Pedro Souto](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-04/news-portugal-caves.jpg?h=0f501424&itok=V518KJlk)
A cave on the Atlantic coast near Lisbon has provided researchers with key archaeological information that questions the behavioural gap once thought to separate Neanderthals from contemporaneous Homo sapiens.
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New program to steer high school students into STEM careers
![Science Academy image](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/science-academy-19610.jpg?h=a0b1ae2e&itok=v8GIZTxE)
The new STEM Academy will provide high school students with a clear pathway into STEM degrees, and an understanding of the jobs their studies can lead to.
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Higher precision mirrors set to benefit 'next gen' gravitational wave detectors
![Precision mirror - The illustration shows the cross-section of a thermal bimorph mirror and its constituents.](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-03/news-precision-mirror-sm.jpg?h=861e5b30&itok=FmjgIWcp)
Improved deformable mirrors could help scientists detect new sources of gravitational waves from deep in space.
[Read more about Higher precision mirrors set to benefit 'next gen' gravitational wave detectors]
Kicking goals in sciences gender equity and diversity
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Improving gender equity and diversity in STEM has been rewarded with the award of an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award, the highest level of this award available in Australia.
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Leading particle physicist receives highest Australia Day award
![Professor Anthony Thomas](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-01/tony-thomas-27.jpg?h=170ba4b8&itok=kNK5V28t)
Honours for Professor Anthony Thomas, who put the University of Adelaide on the world map of outstanding centres working in fundamental nuclear and particle physics.
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Watch: 2020 Future Scientist Information Evening
![Future Scientist event](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-01/future-scientist-event.jpg?h=9ccf66c7&itok=_LCHNW8f)
Whether you have an offer already, or will receive one in the near future; re-live or catch up on the Future Scientist information evening we held on campus.
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New study reveals a huge neutron star collision 3.4 times heavier than the sun
![Colliding neutron stars](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-01/news-colliding-neutron-stars.jpg?h=b77ae2a3&itok=hYq8NTg5)
University of Adelaide physics researchers involved in a new study revealing possible collision of two neutron stars.
[Read more about New study reveals a huge neutron star collision 3.4 times heavier than the sun]
Part of a disCERNing crowd
![Martin White – proudly part of “an endless search for the unknown'. GLENN HUNT](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-12/martin-white-cosmos.jpg?h=abaa08aa&itok=rKkDvdrL)
Astrophysicist Martin White discusses life with and around the Large Hadron Collider.
Awards: Sciences' researchers, students and staff shine in 2019
![The 2019 Partnership Development Award is awarded to: Dr Alice Jones from the School of Biological Sciences](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-12/enews-eoy-awards-jones.jpg?h=309e12e8&itok=0lTvdZq2)
Researchers, graduate students and sciences' staff were recognised for their achievements in 2019 at the recent Faculty of Sciences end of year awards function.
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