Current Honorary Fellows

Past Honorary Fellows

If you are aware of any errors or omissions with this list, please contact the AIP. 

Professor Anthony W Thomas AC was elected in 2025 as an AIP Honorary Fellow for his work in nuclear and particle physics, which has led to advances in theoretical and experimental research.

Prof Thomas is the Elder Professor of Physics at the University of Adelaide and the Director of the University Research Centre for Complex Systems and the Structure of Matter.

His discoveries and leadership have been widely recognised. He is currently researching subatomic particles, dark matter, hadron structure within lattice quantum chromodynamics, and quark and gluon nucleon structure.

Prof Thomas was President of the AIP from 1991-93, when the first Strategic Plan for Physics in Australia was developed.

“It is a privilege to work in fundamental science and from time to time be the first person to really understand one of Nature’s secrets. And it’s an honour to share access to that scientific world with my students, and benefit from their enthusiasm.”

Professor Michelle Simmons AO was elected in 2025 as an AIP Honorary Fellow for her outstanding achievements in physics research, industry applications, mentorship, and leadership.

Prof Simmons is a leading figure in quantum physics, renowned for her work in atomic-scale electronics and quantum computing. She has pioneered globally unique technologies to build electronic devices at the atomic scale. She has been the Director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology at the University of New South Wales for 15 years and in 2017 established Silicon Quantum Computing Pty Ltd, Australia’s first quantum computing company. SQC remains the only company world-wide that can create atomically precise devices in silicon.

On 25th January 2018, Simmons was named as the 2018 Australian of the Year for her work and dedication to quantum information science and in 2023 was awarded the Prime Minister’s prize for science for creating the new field of atomic electronics to power the transition from the digital to the quantum age. Her four mantras in life are “to do what’s hard, place high expectations on yourself, take risks and do something that matters”.

Professor Tanya Monro AC was elected in 2025 as an AIP Honorary Fellow for her exceptional contributions to physics research, translation of research to industry, leadership of research organisations, science diplomacy and service to Australia.

As Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist, Prof Monro leads the Defence Science and Technology Group.

Her research in the field of photonics focusses on sensing, lasers and new classes of optical fibres.

Professor Monro's previous roles include Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation at the University of South Australia; inaugural Director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing at the University of Adelaide from 2008 to 2014; and inaugural Director for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Bio Photonics.

“It’s not my purpose to just create knowledge, even though I’m good at it, and I’ve done a lot of it. My purpose is making sure knowledge can be created and applied to make a difference.”