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Igle Gledhill
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According to CSIR physicist, Igle Gledhill, the CSIR is becoming a force to be reckoned with on the international physics arena.
Researchers here have taken full advantage of international platforms where they push South Africa and Africa's agenda on physics and applied mathematics.
Gledhill serves on two international organisations: the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and IUTMA.
IUPAP is an international non-governmental organisation devoted to the advancement of physics. The union seeks to, among others, stimulate and promote international cooperation in physics; to sponsor suitable international meetings and to assist organising committees; to foster the preparation and the publication of abstracts of papers and tables of physical constants. It also aims to promote international agreements on the use of symbols, units, nomenclature and standards; to foster free circulation of scientists while encouraging research and education.
Gledhill says, "We have not been involved with this institute. The last time a conference was held at the CSIR was in 1978."
Commenting on IUTMA, she says this organisation deals with interdisciplinary work between physics, applied mathematics and engineering. "It is deeply involved with practical sciences," she says, adding, "Fluid dynamics and structural mechanics are the two fields that are very exciting, particularly because computer power is at play."
She is also on the working party on capacity building and education. Her role is to grow networks through Africa.
Gledhill is also former president of the South African Association for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (SAAM) and her colleague and CSIR mathematician Dr Arnaud Malan is currently serving as vice-president. Another CSIR researcher, Milton Kataka, serves in the executive of SAAM.
Enquiries: CSIR Communication
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