Prof. John O'Connor

Qualifications

• Doctor of Science, Australian National University
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), Australian National University
• PhD, Australian National University
• Bachelor of Science, Australian National University

Research

Research keywords

• Ion Surface Interaction
• Nuclear Fusion and Materials
• Science Communication
• Surface Science

Research expertise

Principal research experience is in materials analysis (editor of "Surface Analysis Methods in Materials Science") with particular emphasis on ion beam techniques ranging from 100eV to 1GeV. These tools have been applied to study the structure and composition of the first few atomic layers of materials. In the areas of low energy (0.1 - 10keV) and medium energy (50 - 200keV) I have a recognised international standing reflected in conference organisation, publication and research grant reviewing.

I have made fundamentally contributions to the development of reliable interatomic potentials (most highly cited paper with over 150 citations) which has been recognised as the most valuable contribution to reliable computer simulation. In some groups the conclusion I arrived at is termed the OConnor potential.

A second growing area of research interest is in the field of science communication and outreach. I have been involved in this activity alongside my research for my whole career but my main concern has been that there has not been sufficient attention paid to measuring and optimising the effectiveness of such activities. With a PhD student I commenced a project on this which developed into a broader involvement. In 2001, I brought together the AIP (of which I was president at the time), the RACI, Engineers Australia and the Australian Council of Mathematical Societies to highlight to the Federal Government the declining participation in senior secondary school chemistry, physics and mathematics. This has developed into the current DEST focus on these enabling sciences. At the same time we developed (at University of Newcastle) the Science and Engineering Challenge which won the Sir William Hudson award for Engineering Excellence in 2003. This program has been funded by DEST for $1.8M to take it Australia wide. In 2002 Institute of Physics (UK) awared me (with T Burns and R Nelson) the Public Awareness of Physics Award recognising not only the Science and Engineering Challenge but other activities in this area of endeavour.

Further research in science and engineering outreach is being undertaken through an ARC Linkage Project with Engineers Australia and Ampcontrol.

My publications have an average 11 citations per paper and my Hirsch index is currently 21. I have presented 5 invited presentation at national and international conferences in the past 5 years.

Collaboration

• Materials science with a particular emphasis on surface physics
• Science and engineering communication and education
• Medical physics

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

Memberships

ARC Committee member

• PEG panel 2001/2002

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Vice President - 1999 to 2001 - Australian Institute of Physics
• President - 2001 to 2003 - Australian Institute of Physics
• Secretary 2003 - 2006 - Federation of Scientific and Technological Societies

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Member 2000-2002 - Editorial Committee of Progress in Surface Science (published in Elsevier Science)
• Member Program Committee 2008 - IUMRS/ICEM- 2008
• Member 1993-2007 - Inaugural Editorial Board of Surface Review and Letters Journal (published by World Scientific)
• Organiser and Chair - International Conference on the Structure of Surfaces 2002
• member 1999-2001 - International Program Committee of Surface Science for the International Vacuum Congress 15, San Diego
• Member 1997-2008 - International Steering Committee of the International Conference on the Structure of Surfaces

Learned Academy.

• Member - Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering)

Appointments

Visiting Professor Fudan University, Shanghai, China (China)	01/01/2010
Chair, H1 National Facility Board Australian National University (Australia)	01/01/2007

Awards

Recognition.

2003	AVS Vacuum Technology Division prize for best shop notes paper American Vacuum Society, Vacuum Technology Division (United States)
2003	Sir William Hudson Award for Outstanding Engineering Excellence Engineers Australia (Australia)
2002	Public Awareness of Physics Award Institute of Physics (UK) (United Kingdom)
1999	Teaching Excellence Award for Postgraduate Supervision University of Newcastle (Australia)

Research Award.

1996	Bede Morris Fellowship Australian Academy of Science (Australia)
1989	Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany)

Invitations

16th International Conference on Ion-Surface Interactions Conference Organisation Committee, Russian Federation (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2003
16th International Vacuum Congress, 12th International Conference on Solid Surfaces, and 18th International Conference on Nanometer-Scale Science and Technology IUVSTA, Italy (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2004
2nd Ion Beam Techniques for the Analysis of Composition and Structure With Atomic Layer rResolution Conference Organisation Committee, Korea, Democratic People's Republic (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2002
30th Annual Condensed Matter and Materials Meeting Conference Organisation Committee, Australia (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2006
3rd International Workshop on Surface Physics Conference Organisation Committee, Poland (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2007
3rd Ion Beam Techniques for the Analysis of Composition and Structure With Atomic Layer Resolution Conference Organisation Committee, United States (Conference Presentation - non published.)	2005

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

From 1991 to 1997 I was Head of the Department of Physics which, under a restructure, became the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences of which I have been head since 2002.

I have been President of the Australian Institute of Physics and Secretary of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies. As secretary of the Vacuum Society of Australia I served in two capacities on the Council of the International Union of Vacuum, Science and Technologies Association over a period of nine years.

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Energy and Fusion
• General Physics
• Solid State Physics

Teaching expertise

I have taught a broad range of courses from first year to postgraduate in physics with excellent feedback from students. At present my administrative load precludes me undertaking a heavy teaching load but I have elected to retain two of the most challenging courses which is a Sports Physics course, and an Honours Physics course.

My recognised teaching ability lead to my appointment to the foundation Teaching Committee (in 1992) at the University of Newcastle, my ongoing appointment to the Avondale College Bachelor of Science Degree Advisory Committee (1992 present) and my appointment to the program committee of the University of Newcastle Practical Tertiary Teaching Program (2003 present) for academics.

I have been a member of the NSW HSC Physics Examination panel and I was a member of the steering committee (involving the Department of Education, NSW Science Teachers Association and the AIP) for the production of a Secondary School Physics Laboratory Manual Getting it to Work - Physics Equipment for High Schools

I have also held the following posts:

1997-1999 External Examiner for M.Sc. (Materials Science) at the Hong Kong University.

2003 Member, Prime Ministers Science Engineering and Innovation Council Working Group on Science Awareness and Education.

2004 Member, Expert Advisory Panel, AUTC Project into Physics Teaching Outcomes and Curriculum Development

2004 Member of reference group to advise DEST on implementing the recommendations of the review Australias Teachers: Australias Future Advancing Innovation, Science, Technology and Mathematics.

Programs

• Bachelor of Science