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« Back to NewsOxford celebrates first images from revolutionary sky survey telescope
24 June 2025
The NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory represents a step change in researchers’ ability to study the cosmos. Scientists from the Department of Physics helped to make the progress possible through more than a decade of sustained involvement.
Oxford scientists in King’s Birthday Honours 2025
14 June 2025
The King's Birthday Honours 2025 Lists have been published, marking the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK, including members of the MPLS Division and wider University.
Oxford physicists set new world record for qubit operation accuracy
10 June 2025
Physicists at the University of Oxford have set a new global benchmark for the accuracy of controlling a single quantum bit, achieving the lowest-ever error rate for a quantum logic operation – just 0.000015%, or one error in 6.7 million operations.
New study indicates that scientists could use black holes as particle supercolliders
4 June 2025
Scientists could turn to black holes to aid the search for dark matter and similarly elusive particles that hold clues to the universe’s deepest secrets, a new study by Oxford physicists suggests.
New quantum visualisation techniques could accelerate the arrival of fault-tolerant quantum computers
3 June 2025
A collaborative research study has developed a powerful new technique for finding the next generation of materials needed for large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing with the potential to end a decades-long search for inexpensive materials that can host unique quantum particles.
The Royal Society elects five scientists from the MPLS Division as Fellows
20 May 2025
Seven academics from the University of Oxford, including five from the Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences Division (MPLS) have been elected as Royal Society Fellows.
Professor Ian Walmsley appointed to lead Oxford Quantum Institute
14 May 2025
Oxford marks a significant milestone in its quantum advancement with the Department of Physics' Professor Ian Walmsley appointed as Director of the Oxford Quantum Institute. Professor Walmsley has also joined the National Quantum Strategic Advisory Board, which advises the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Oxford welcomes new Schmidt AI in Science Fellows
29 April 2025
Ten new Fellows have joined the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship programme at the University of Oxford. Now entering its third year, the programme is helping to accelerate the next scientific revolution by applying artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to research across the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematical sciences.
Researchers and volunteers unite to uncover spectacular space discoveries in new satellite data
20 March 2025
Department of Physics researchers have been at the forefront of studies working with thousands of members of the public to sift through the immense quantities of data from Euclid to shed light on how mysterious forces shaped the evolution of the Universe.
First distributed quantum algorithm brings quantum supercomputers closer
6 February 2025
A breakthrough from researchers at the Department of Physics addresses quantum’s ‘scalability problem’: a quantum computer powerful enough to be capable of processing millions of qubits.
Empowering the Next Generation of Physicists: The Denys Firth Scholarship Launched with £1.52M Endowment
3 February 2025
The Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division at the University of Oxford is delighted to announce the establishment of the Denys Firth Scholarship in Theoretical Physics, made possible by a generous gift from Denys Firth (Oriel College, 1969, Physics).
Researchers confirm the existence of an exoplanet in the habitable zone
28 January 2025
The planet was originally detected two years ago by Oxford University scientist Dr Michael Cretignier. This result, drawing on over two decades of observations, opens a window to future studies of Earth-like exoplanets that may have conditions suitable for life.
In The Conversation: Global temperatures pass critical milestone
15 January 2025
Researchers from the Department of Physics report in The Conversation on how global temperatures passed the critical 1.5°C milestone for the first time in 2024.
Professor James Binney awarded Royal Astronomical Society’s Gold Medal
13 January 2025
Professor James Binney from the Department of Physics, has received the Royal Astronomical Society’s 2025 Gold Medal for Astronomy for his lifetime achievements in the study of the structure and evolution of galaxies.
Athena Swan Gold for the Department of Physics
4 December 2024
Congratulations to the Department of Physics, which has been given the Gold award having held Athena Swan Silver since 2019.
Four MPLS researchers selected for European Research Council Consolidator Grants
3 December 2024
Four MPLS researchers have been awarded European Research Council Consolidator Grants, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. These grants, totalling €678 million this year, aim to support outstanding scientists and scholars as they establish their independent research teams and develop their most promising scientific ideas.
Redefining net zero will not stop global warming, new study shows
18 November 2024
In a new study led by the Department of Physics, an international group of researchers who developed the science behind net zero demonstrate that relying on ‘natural carbon sinks’ like forests and oceans to offset ongoing CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use will not actually stop global warming.
Two Oxford physicists recognised by the Institute of Physics
24 October 2024
Professor Stephen Blundell and Professor Laura Herz from the Department of Physics have been awarded gold medals from the Institute of Physics (IOP).
In The Conversation: Getting carbon capture right will be hard – but that doesn’t make it optional
18 October 2024
Professor Myles Allen, Department of Physics and School of Geography and the Environment, sets out the case for focussing on the big picture – why we need Carbon Capture and Storage to work
Solar energy breakthrough could reduce need for solar farms
12 August 2024
Scientists in the Department of Physics have developed a method for generating increasing amounts of solar electricity without the need for silicon-based solar panels by coating a new power-generating material onto the surfaces of everyday objects such as rucksacks, cars, and mobile phones.