High Energy Particle Physics (HEP) is an exciting, high profile discipline which explores the basic structure of matter and the fundamental forces in nature. Armed with our present knowledge we can scientifically approach some of the most fundamental intellectual questions ever asked: What was the universe like a billionth of a second after it was created? What will be its fate? What is the origin of mass? Is matter intrinsically stable?
The Australian Institute for High Energy Physics (AUSHEP) was founded in 1989 on the initiative of the High Energy Physics groups from the Universities of Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the University of Wollongong later joined AUSHEP as full members, and the University of N.S.W. and the Australian National University joined as Associate Members.
Australian high energy physicists participate in a number of international collaborative experiments at the frontier of science and technology. We play an integral role in their construction, maintenance and operation, as well as working together with other institutes to interpret the final results. Some of the experiments in which AusHEP member institutes participate are:
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Travel by Australian researchers to participate in such major international research is largely supported by the Commonwealth Government Backing Australia's Ability initiative through the Innovation Access: International Science and Technology program of the Department of Education, Science and Technology (DEST), the experimental HEP component of which is administered by AusHEP on behalf of DEST. |
For more information about theoretical particle physics in Australia please visit:
For a list of papers and recent research by Australian high energy physicists please see the electronic preprint archive xxx (original site at LANL) and the SLAC preprint database SPIRES.
Further information on the program at each institute, with contact names and addresses, can be obtained from the associated web pages found here, or by contacting:
| Chairman: | Assoc. Prof. Tony Williams Department of Physics and Mathematical Physics University of Adelaide South Australia 5005 Phone: +61 8 8303 3546; Fax: +61 8 8303 3551 Email: awilliam@physics.adelaide.edu.au |
| Secretary/Treasurer: | Assoc.Prof. Lawrence Peak School of Physics A28 The University of Sydney New South Wales 2006 Phone: +61 2 9351.2624 Fax: +61 2 9351.7727 Email: peak@Physics.usyd.edu.au |