Daniel O’Keeffe of the VicPhysics Teachers’ Network Inc. has been awarded the 2026 AIP Education Medal for his longstanding contribution to physics teaching, teachers and students in Victoria.

Dan receives the Award for outstanding service to the Physics teaching community, through the provision of excellent resources and services for teachers and students and through the continuous maintenance of and reporting on statistics on student participation in physics.

Dan has supported the physics teaching community for almost five decades, beginning with service on Physics Standing Committees in 1977. He later served on the AIP Victorian Branch Education Sub-committee and is currently Honorary Secretary of the VicPhysics Teachers’ Network Inc.

His contribution has ranged from helping develop the Extended Practical Investigation for the Victorian physics curriculum to organising Physics Teacher Conferences and professional development for beginning and returning physics teachers.

Since 2002, Dan has published a free online newsletter for secondary teachers, now reaching more than 1,500 subscribers, and established the VicPhysics Teachers’ Network website as a repository of teaching and learning resources.

He has also helped expand the Girls in Physics breakfasts from a single Melbourne event to an annual program encompassing Melbourne and regional Victoria, connecting female secondary students with women studying and working in physics-related fields.

Since 1976, Dan has maintained and analysed statistics on participation in secondary school science, providing a valuable long-term picture of physics participation and student pathways.

Dan is one of 11 members recognised with 2026 AIP Awards for outstanding accomplishments in research, leadership, education and communication. Read more about the 2026 AIP Award recipients.

The 2026 AIP Awards will be presented at AIP Congress 2026 in Sydney this December.