Skip to main content

School of Physics & Astronomy news

A female postgraduate researcher in a lab at Cardiff University’s School of Physics and Astronomy.

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship for Cardiff physicist

11 July 2023

Funding aims to increase representation in physics research community

Artistic impression of gravitational wave signal from the merging of two black holes

New gravitational waves observation run to reveal more of the universe’s secrets

22 June 2023

Observation of yet-to-be-detected types of gravitational-wave sources more likely with new equipment and analysis techniques, according to LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration

A photograph of the Any Light Particle Search (ALPS II) experiment in a tunnel.

New hope in search for dark matter as most sensitive instrument of its kind begins first science run

22 June 2023

‘Light shining through a wall’ experiment will aim to produce axions or axion-like particles

'Infinite LIGO Dreams’ Oil on Canvas, 2016 Image credit: Penelope Rose Cowley for Cardiff University

Cardiff to host flagship UK astronomy event

19 June 2023

NAM2023 will reveal the latest astronomy findings amidst a programme of art and education events

Professor Peter Smowton, Institute for Compound Semiconductors, stands outside the sbarc|spark building at Cardiff University to welcome Minister Chloe Smith MP and Sir Derek Jones for a tour of the Translational Research Hub

UK Science Minister visits Research Hub

6 June 2023

Rt Hon Chloe Smith announces UK Semiconductor strategy

Black and white image of tiny particle under a microscopic

Shaping the technologies of the future

16 May 2023

Study is significant step forward in development of revolutionary technology

Main Building - Autumn

University staff and alumni named as Fellows of the Learned Society of Wales

9 May 2023

New fellows come from across higher education, as well as law, medicine and the media

A man interviews a woman on a stage. Each are speaking into microphones. A Radio 4 table cloth is draped over a small table between the two people. An audience looks on.

Inspiring young people to live a life scientific

6 March 2023

University experiments, workshops and demonstrations delivered as part of city’s science festival

The progressive flag, including the intersex community

Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy leads on a successful bid for a GW4 Building Communities Development Award

18 January 2023

The school has been successful in their bid for funding from the GW4 Building Communities Development Awards to develop a community of practice in STEMM

School children in a lab cheerfully take part in an activity

Children’s University rolled out more widely in Cardiff

8 December 2022

Pupils from all backgrounds will be able to earn a Passport to the City

Two views of the Southern Ring Nebula shown side by side. Both feature black backgrounds speckled with tiny bright stars and distant galaxies.

Astronomers continue to unravel mysteries of stellar afterlife in new images from space telescope

8 December 2022

JWST reveals complexity of stellar structure in greater detail than ever before

Students working on their laptops

Recognition for Physics PhD student

13 October 2022

Physics PhD student recognised as a full Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Black hole at the center of a spiral galaxy

“Wobbling black hole” most extreme example ever detected

12 October 2022

Gravitational waves identify what could be a rare one-in-1000 event

Gif of an asteroid moving through a series telescope observations

The Welsh school children helping NASA save the planet from asteroid strikes

26 September 2022

The Welsh school children helping NASA save the planet from asteroid strikes

Graduation celebrations for ‘exceptional’ physics student

21 July 2022

Josh Colclough, Winner of the School Prize for Outstanding Physics Project, draws praise from leading academics in the UK.

Exoplanet mission given £30m boost

27 June 2022

New funding will help Cardiff University scientists explore how 1,000 known planets outside our solar system were formed and evolved.

Close up photo of semiconductor chip being manipulated with tweezers in clean room

New Investigator Award to develop improved soft image sensors for medical diagnostics

20 June 2022

Dr Bo Hou from the School of Physics and Astronomy has been awarded a prestigious New Investigator Award from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to investigate improvements to soft image sensors which have become vital in many areas of our daily lives.

Dr Pete Barry, Dr Angharad Jones and Dr John Harvey

Future research leaders to tackle global issues and commercialise innovations

15 June 2022

Dr Angharad Jones, School of Biosciences, Dr Pete Barry from the School of Physics and Astronomy and Dr John Harvey, soon to join the School of Mathematics, have been awarded prestigious Future Leaders Fellowships from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Image of Gayathri Eknath

Physics and Astronomy student awarded grant from Innovative Scholarships Programme

8 June 2022

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund support awarded to Physics and Astronomy student, Gayathri Eknath.

School celebrates increase in Research Power in REF 2021

17 May 2022

The School of Physics and Astronomy sees research power almost triple since REF 2014.The School has received a GPA score of 3.45 in REF 2021, with 99% of our overall submission considered world-leading or internationally excellent.