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Artist's impression of a Type Ia supernova (based on observations of SN2014J).

Analysis of supernova data questions evidence for cosmic acceleration

Research led by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai along with Professor Emeritus Subir Sarkar from the University of Oxford, questions the widely accepted argument that the expansion rate of the universe is accelerating.

Professor Shivaji Sondhi

Professor Sondhi elected to National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Sciences and Letters

Oxford physicist Professor Shivaji Sondhi FRS has been elected to two distinguished American learned societies: the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Sciences and Letters.

Ramin Golestanian

Professor Ramin Golestanian elected Fellow of the Royal Society

Professor Ramin Golestanian has been elected Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his pioneering contributions to the development of the field of active matter.

Image of active nematic fluid (in detailed blue and red) with passive liquid substrate (in less detailed blue and red). Text between them with arrows says 'Frictional coupling'

New findings into fluid dynamics inside living matter

A new study reveals turbulent flows generated by living matter are 'filtered' out by neighbouring fluids, posing implications for how scientists measure forces in cells and tissues.

Dr Thomas Spieksma

Dr Spieksma awarded IDA thesis prize

Dr Thomas Spieksma has been awarded the Instrument Centre for Danish Astrophysics (IDA) PhD Prize; the prize is awarded annually to the most scientifically outstanding PhD thesis defended at a Danish university within astronomy and astrophysics.

From left to right: James Dodd, Professor John Wheater and Jack Paton

Obituary: James Dodd

James E Dodd 1952-2026

Globular cluster M80

Gravitational waves reveal secrets of biggest black holes

The most massive black holes in the Universe detected by the ripples they make in space time were not born directly from collapsing stars, according to a new study.

Electrons where atoms are not: a layered view of NbSe2 showing the crystal lattice (top), the symmetry-pinned orbital cloud at empty sites (middle), and the STM image (bottom) that directly reveals this hidden electronic structure.

Electrons where atoms are not

An international team led by Oxford physicist Dr Dumitru Călugăru has directly identified an 'obstructed atomic band' in a two-dimensional quantum material for the first time, opening new possibilities for understanding and designing quantum materials.

Dr Pablo Bilbao

EPS recognition for Dr Bilbao

Dr Pablo Bilbao has been awarded the European Physical Society Plasma Physics Division’s PhD Research Award.

Sir Anthony Leggett

Commentary: Professor Blundell on Anthony Leggett (1938-2026)

Professor Stephen Blundell reflects on the life and legacy of Nobel prize winner Sir Anthony Leggett who died on 8 March 2026.

Gravitationally lensed starlight (orange) by a supermassive black hole bianry. The Einstein ring is shown in blue.

New method could reveal hidden supermassive black hole binaries

Researchers at Oxford University and the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics are proposing a new way to observe tightly bound supermassive black hole binaries.

12 February 2026

Associate Professor Alexander Mietke

Dr Mietke recognised by IUPAP

Associate Professor Alexander Mietke has been awarded the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics’ Early Career Scientist Prize in Biological Physics 2024 for his groundbreaking insights that harness active matter theory.