UCT Physics Department

https://youtu.be/Ih1BDABDGcY?si=qSgBzb6Z51B8zu4Z

1976: Reckoning with the past, shaping the future As South Africa marks 50 years since the 16 June 1976 Soweto Uprisi...

On Friday 22 May, we hosted our second Women in Physics (WiP) event of the year, this time, the whole department was strongly encouraged to attend, regardless of gender identity.

The panel discussion focused on inclusivity: where we are, where we want to be, and the concrete steps each of us can take. It was genuinely refreshing to hear the range of perspectives in the room, and the conversation won't stop here.

Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed. More to follow!

Happy international women’s day everyone! Looking forward for this year Soapbox Science Cape Town event?! Then stay tuned, our call for speakers will open very soon….

Ms Nuraan Majiet, newest academic staff member in the department, officially takes over the reins from Dr Kevin Barends as the president of the tea club!

Leg day? More like leg months! 😩 The RW James elevator’s been out since June, but the end is in sight! Plastic comes off next week for official lift-off! 🎉

🎓 Our Third Year Students in Action! 🎓

On 27th October, our talented third-year students presented their mini research projects during an engaging poster session. 📚✨

Check out the amazing work they've been putting together – showcasing creativity, and hard work! 👏

Swipe through to see the highlights of their research. 👇

Explore black holes with Nobel Prize winner Sir Roger Penrose (University of Oxford) and Professor Janna Levin (Columbia University) who will discuss these elusive phenomena at the 30th Hintze Lecture. This free public talk is open to everyone, whether you're a physics expert or just curious about the cosmos. In person and online. More information link in bio or: https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/events/30th-hintze-lecture-professor-janna-levin-professor-sir-roger-penrose

UCT Physics postraduate students had a captive audience at our 2025 Postgraduate showcase on 16 September 2025. They shared the breadth of UCT Physics research from a fresh, exciting, informative, honest, and even humorous perspective that only a postgrad student knows how to. It was a truly inspiring reminder - to all of us in attendance - why we do what we do.