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Aerial view of dust clouds from the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in January 2022 (sourced from https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/149347/hunga-tonga-hunga-haapai-erupts/149350w)

Physicists shed light on how Tonga eruption triggered atmospheric gravity waves that reached the edge of space

Oxford mathematicians, John Ball, Ian Griffiths and Dawid Kielak (pictured left to right)

Oxford mathematicians win London Mathematical Society prizes

Three Oxford Mathematicians, John Ball, Ian Griffiths and Dawid Kielak, have won prizes from the London Mathematical Society (LMS) today.

Oxford zoologists find rare wild ancestors of feral pigeons living on British and Irish islands

DNA testing reveals that rock doves, the wild ancestors of the common domestic and feral pigeons, now extinct in many parts of the world, are still living on islands in Scotland and Ireland.

The eight winners of the MPLS Teaching Awards

MPLS Teaching Award 2022 Winners announced

Congratulations to the eight staff in MPLS departments who have recently been given divisional awards for teaching excellence. The MPLS Divisional Teaching Award Scheme celebrates success, and recognises and rewards excellence in innovative teaching.

A Harris hawk braking in mid-air before perching

Oxford Flight Group reveals how hawks control flight and landing to prioritise safety

Oxford biomechanics researchers have been using computer simulations and Hollywood-style motion capture to reveal how Harris hawks optimise their landing manoeuvres for an accurate descent.

Portrait of Nadja Yang in grey/black workwear, pictured against an urban background

Nadja Yang recognised by Women's Engineering Society with 'Top 50 Women in Engineering - Inventors and Innovators' award

DPhil Systems Engineering student, Nadja Yang has been recognised as one of the UK's top 50 women engineers who are creating or significantly improving products or processes to make a difference in the world, on International Women in Engineering Day.

Researchers develop world's first ultra-fast photonic computing processor, using polarisation

The innovative technique, developed in the Department of Materials, uses multiple polarisation channels to carry out parallel processing – enhancing computing density by several orders over conventional electronic chips.

Welcome

We are home to the mathematical, physical, engineering and life sciences at Oxford. The disciplines within the MPLS Division regularly appear at the highest levels in world rankings and have been evaluated as conducting world-leading and internationally excellent research in UK research assessments.

Upcoming events

Can superconductors help us save the planet? With Professor Susie Speller

Tuesday, 05 July 2022, 7pm to 8pm

In person at Wolfson College and live streamed. In this public lecture, Professor Susie Speller (Materials) will introduce the extraordinary properties of superconductors, and will explore the practical challenges of deploying these very complex materials in revolutionary technologies. Followed by a drinks reception where Susie will launch her new book, a primer that introduces superconducting materials to non-expert readers: A Materials Science Guide to Superconductors: and how to make them super (OUP).

More events

Transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace at the University remains low but it is still in circulation. The following behaviours are strongly encouraged, to help minimise the spread and show consideration to others.

Avoid contact with others if you might be infectious
Respect people’s space
Ventilate indoor areas
Keep up to date with your vaccinations
Respect those who choose to wear a face covering
Cover coughs and sneezes and wash your hands regularly

Please see the University's Health pages for further guidance.

Divisional roles and opportunities

Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) Programme Director to provide academic leadership to the NERC funded Oxford DTP in Environmental Research. Deadline: Thurs 30 June
Astrophoria Foundation Year Academic Subject Lead and Course Lead. Subject areas: Chemistry, Engineering Science, Materials Science. Deadline: Fri 22 July
2022-23 cohort of MPLS Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Fellows. Apply now if you are passionate about making a real, positive difference in the MPLS Division. Deadline: Fri 22 July
Science Together researchers and facilitators for 2022/23 . Seeking researchers and public engagement support staff to work with local community groups to co-develop research projects. Deadline: Sun 31 July

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