Speaker
Description
What does a physicist look like in the Fourth Industrial Revolution? While advances in computational modelling, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, sensing technologies, and data-driven discovery are transforming the discipline, the future of physics will be determined not only by technological innovation but also by our ability to connect research, education, industry, and society while building an inclusive and sustainable community of physicists.
This plenary explores how physics can transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries through examples drawn from computational materials research for Low Earth Orbit, physics education innovation, and industry-linked student projects investigating cricket ball dynamics and acoustic monitoring systems. Together, these illustrate how authentic, interdisciplinary experiences prepare students for the evolving landscape of the Fourth Industrial Revolution while demonstrating the versatility and societal relevance of physics.
Beyond research, the talk reflects on the importance of intentionally creating spaces where people can encounter physics, develop confidence and build professional networks. Through participation in Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA) networking initiatives, contribution to the WiPiSA
20th Anniversary Roundtable, public engagement through radio discussions, and the development of the Meet a Physicist High Tea for female high school learners, I explore how conversations, mentorship, visibility and collaboration can broaden participation in physics and strengthen the
discipline for future generations.
Rather than viewing research, teaching, outreach and leadership as separate responsibilities, I argue that they are interconnected components of a single ecosystem. Building a sustainable and inclusive future for physics requires not only scientific excellence, but also intentional mentorship, collaboration and the creation of opportunities for others to contribute. Ultimately, the physicist of the future will be defined not only by the knowledge they generate, but by the communities they cultivate and the pathways they create for those who follow.