Physics World
The Institute of Physics launched its monthly magazine in 1988. Philip Campbell served as the founding editor during those early years. IOP Publishing Ltd created the publication to serve physicists across research, industry, and education sectors worldwide. The magazine offers free access to members of the Institute of Physics while allowing selected articles for public reading online. A redesign occurred in September 2005 to refresh the visual identity and content structure. Matin Durrani currently holds the position of editor following subsequent leadership changes over time. Michael Banks functions as news editor alongside Tushna Commissariat and Sarah Teah who handle features editing. Hamish Johnston, Margaret Harris, and Tami Freeman work as online editors managing digital platforms.
Physics World produces films and two podcasts alongside its print and online editions. Andrew Glester hosts the Physics World Stories podcast which releases new episodes monthly through iTunes and PlayerFM. James Dacey leads the Physics World Weekly podcast program. Members receive full digital edition access while non-members can read selected articles without charge. The organization expanded its multimedia offerings to reach broader audiences beyond traditional readership. These audio and video productions complement written journalism by covering physics topics through different sensory channels. The expansion represents a strategic shift toward diverse media consumption habits within the scientific community.
The magazine presents annual Breakthrough of the Year awards starting from 2009 through recent years. Jonathan Home and colleagues at NIST received recognition in 2009 for developing the first small-scale quantum computer device. ALPHA and ASACUSA groups at CERN won in 2010 for creating new methods controlling antihydrogen. Aephraim M. Steinberg and University of Toronto researchers earned the 2011 award using weak measurement techniques on single photons. ATLAS and CMS collaborations at CERN secured the 2012 prize discovering a Higgs-like particle at the Large Hadron Collider. IceCube Neutrino Observatory achieved recognition in 2013 observing high-energy cosmic neutrinos. European Space Agency's Philae spacecraft landing on comet 67P/Churyumov, Gerasimenko became the 2014 winner. LIGO's gravitational wave discovery took the 2016 award while multimessenger neutron star merger observations won in 2017. Event Horizon Telescope captured the 2019 title with direct black hole shadow observation. Quantum error correction with 48 logical qubits claimed the 2024 honor.
The magazine maintains an audited circulation figure just under 35000 copies distributed globally. Membership-based access provides free digital editions to Institute of Physics members while non-members read selected articles online. International monthly publication reaches physicists working in research institutions, industrial settings, outreach programs, and educational environments worldwide. The distribution model combines print availability with digital accessibility through member benefits. Selected content remains freely available to general public readers without membership requirements. This dual approach balances exclusive member privileges with broader scientific community engagement. The circulation numbers reflect steady readership within the global physics ecosystem spanning multiple continents and professional sectors.
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Common questions
When did Physics World magazine launch?
The Institute of Physics launched its monthly magazine in 1988. Philip Campbell served as the founding editor during those early years.
Who is the current editor of Physics World?
Matin Durrani currently holds the position of editor following subsequent leadership changes over time. Michael Banks functions as news editor alongside Tushna Commissariat and Sarah Teah who handle features editing.
What awards does Physics World give annually starting from 2009?
The magazine presents annual Breakthrough of the Year awards starting from 2009 through recent years. Jonathan Home and colleagues at NIST received recognition in 2009 for developing the first small-scale quantum computer device.
How many copies does Physics World circulate globally each month?
The magazine maintains an audited circulation figure just under 35000 copies distributed globally. Membership-based access provides free digital editions to Institute of Physics members while non-members read selected articles online.
Which podcasts does Physics World produce alongside its print edition?
Physics World produces films and two podcasts alongside its print and online editions. Andrew Glester hosts the Physics World Stories podcast which releases new episodes monthly through iTunes and PlayerFM.