What is the Institute of Physics – and why is it important to the North East? Dr Juna Sathian from Northumbria University in Newcastle speaks to Mike Hughes
Let’s start with a basic guide: the Institute of Physics is the professional body for physics in the UK and Ireland. Within this institute, physicists study how the universe behaves and apply that knowledge to improve lives.
So far so good.
They study everything from the tiniest particles to the entire universe. As such, physics underpins chemistry, biology, engineering, and many other scientific disciplines, and has helped bring us cell phones, the internet, medical imaging equipment, and electric cars, as well as addressing challenges such as climate change and feeding and caring for a growing global population.
The IoP’s 21,000 members work in schools, universities, national research facilities and businesses of all sizes, and hold a range of roles as researchers, apprentices, technicians, engineers and product developers. In the UK, more than 2.7 million people work in sectors driven by physics, including energy, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, transport, aerospace and defence.
The North East branch is one of eleven regional branches in England, covering Northumberland, County Durham and Teesside, with activity centres in Newcastle and Durham.
So – that’s probably all you need to know, right? I’ve managed to summarize physics in about 170 words.
Well, Dr. Juna Sathian might disagree. Her entire career has been built around physics and she is one of the most recognized experts in the country, so she has a significant amount to add to the discussion.
She is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University and her work includes applied optics and the development of technology involving laser and maser technology (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation and Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, if you didn’t know). Oh, and she’s also a councillor for Blakelaw ward in Newcastle.
I’m sure (though I didn’t actually ask her) that she wouldn’t mind if I asked Microsoft’s AI project Copilot for a definition. It states that physics is “the branch of science that studies the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of matter, energy, and the interactions between them. It encompasses a wide range of subjects, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and relativity. Physicists seek to understand the underlying laws of the universe and use mathematical models to describe and predict physical phenomena. Whether it’s the motion of planets, the behavior of subatomic particles, or the properties of materials, physics forms the basis for our understanding of the natural world.”
It’s up to you, Juna, for the simplest answer:
“I love the Institute of Physics because I am a physicist at heart,” she tells me.
“When I was in Australia, I was very involved with the Australian Institute of Physics. I was even a state representative of AIP. One of the main things I saw, and it is still a driving force, is that there is a very low female representation in physics. During my master’s and my PhD, I was the only girl in the group.
Dr. Juna Sathian
“The opportunities are huge, but I think people aren’t getting that and schools aren’t getting that message. That’s why I’m so passionate about doing something to change that. So in Australia I started going to schools and just talking about my work and the opportunities in physics to bring more people in.
“What I found there was that there was a perception that physics is difficult and that some schools are confident in teaching physics, but other schools may not have the same facilities, or may not have the best teachers, and that is why not many students take physics – they are afraid.
“The solution to this is that we all need good teachers who explain things to us and encourage us.”
Like so many first steps on a career path, those conversations need to start at home, setting the tone for what kind of region this is and what career opportunities it offers for young people, and then preparing them to move on to school, FE and HE and into work that inspires and that young person is fully invested and informed in.
Juna’s eight-year-old twins are blessed with a mother who discovered her own passion early on and wants her children to experience the same joy and focus on the field they want to pursue.
“They are in their third year and they are so curious,” she tells me at BUSINESSiQ’s Darlington office.
“They often look at my quantum physics textbook – I love seeing things like that – and they just ask questions and they’re so fascinated. One of them already knows a lot about astrophysics and he asked me to bring a book home from college because he wanted to read about how the universe formed, about black holes and event horizons.
“Luckily, technology has developed very well, so children can also watch videos these days and see what is happening. If there is not too much text, but a lot of clear images, they become interested in what is happening in front of them.
“Physics is all around them – in chemistry, mathematics, space, everyone uses physics. But it can still be hidden from young people and we always need to find more ways to reveal it.
“For years I have been looking at how many young people have studied physics and what they do afterward, trying to understand what happens as careers are formed and as they grow. How many stay in our region and what were the outcomes of the graduates?
“But it was all a bit shocking, so we decided OK – we have a team, so we need to go into schools and just talk about what we do, where we are now and how genuinely exciting we found it all. The opportunities are there and I think organisations like the IoP have the connections and resources to make that difference through engagement with groups and communities.
Dr. Juna Sathian
“As a committee member of Women in Physics at the IoP, I also have the opportunity to increase female representation in physics, having heard so often that ‘it’s a boy’s field’ or ‘girls can struggle with the technical details’. I don’t believe that and with the IoP I will continue to get that message across however we can. I have always loved theory, but that message also needs simulation and experimentation. So in my research with my students I start with theory and then we design and implement that, because I always want them to see a product and then actually use it.
“In Australia I was lucky enough to be in an environment where I could do interesting things with great people who encouraged me, but as well as the educational environment I think we also have to look at the family and how that influences things. My own family believed that if I love something I can excel at it, so let’s just go with that principle, otherwise you end up doing work that you don’t love and that can affect your whole life.”
It was probably only a worryingly short time ago that STEM became a buzzword in education, bundling skills that could propel students into careers. The simplicity of that message appeals to Juna and the Institute of Physics, and she is confident that the audience it is meant to reach will be reached.
“We need to communicate in simple terms so that teachers and families understand. Because that’s where the encouragement comes from, starting in primary school and continuing through grade 12 and beyond. Because that’s where spin-outs and commercialization can happen if there’s enough investment in research and development.
“A big part of the success of the STEM push has been collaboration and lots of people pushing for it at the same time and the opportunities have become much clearer. But the main question from students is still ‘what are the opportunities – where can I go career-wise’. I think that needs to be explained better and role models who work in an industry can help with that.
“Young people can see that they are passionate about their field and will benefit from seeing and hearing how impactful it can be when they see and hear from someone who connects better with younger minds.”
Juna and the IoP are on a mission – two halves of a formidable equation that students study, question, challenge and then understand. But as she so powerfully puts it, it’s all about the message. If we take the trouble to go out there like she does and explain difficult topics and help young people see things from a different perspective, then the North East will benefit by having a team of Junas.
Then the next conversation with the next generation about what our region has to offer is more informed and productive – and we grow again.