The Institute of Physics and IOP Publishing celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with a packed calendar of events
04 Feb 2025 by Kate Giles
The Institute of Physics (IOP) and IOP Publishing (IOPP) are proud to be marking the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) with a host of events and activities.
The UN’s International Year of Quantum, celebrating 100 years of quantum science and technology, is raising awareness of how the global quantum revolution is changing our lives for the better.
Quantum technologies harness the unique properties of subatomic particles to process information in a completely new way. Just like other revolutionary technologies – AI, the internet and the invention of the combustion engine – quantum will change our world in ways we cannot yet imagine.
Across the UK and Ireland, quantum researchers and businesses are pioneering discoveries that could allow us to do things previously thought impossible: from using quantum computers to tackle climate change by optimising the energy grid, to potentially life-saving quantum brain scanners that are small enough to be worn as a helmet.
The IOP represents the UK and Ireland on the IYQ international steering group, and is providing coordination for the community on behalf of the UK Government’s Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. IYQ will formally launch in February at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and the IOP and IOPP will be supporting events and awareness-raising activity in the UK and Ireland throughout 2025, as part of a wider programme of global activity including:
- The IYQ Opening Ceremony, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris (4-5th February).
- Quantum Information conference at the Royal Society (19-20 February).
- The Economist’s Commercialising Quantum Global (13-14 May) and the City Quantum Summit (8 October).
- Flagship academic events such as QuAMP, the IOP’s biennial international conference on quantum, atomic and molecular physics (2-4 September) and Condensed Matter and Quantum Materials (24-27 June).
- National showcases in Ireland for World Quantum Day, and Scotland during Quantum Month.
- Public facing activities from universities and research institutes – including the IOP’s summer exhibitions in London and Dublin to inspire and engage young people.
- A full schedule of quantum-related content from Physics World, with a dedicated quantum newsletter, quizzes, podcast content and more.
- A week of celebration in November in partnership with the Royal Institution, including an exploration of the History and Future of Quantum Technologies (5-6th November), the National Quantum Technologies Showcase (8th November) and an IOP public discourse with a keynote speech from Professor Jim Al-Khalili (9th November).
- A series of international initiatives showcasing some of the most cutting-edge quantum research published across IOPP journals.
Tom Grinyer, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Institute of Physics, said: “The International Year of Quantum marks a remarkable milestone for the quantum community. This year is a wonderful opportunity to inspire more people from a wide range of backgrounds to explore how quantum helps us understand the world and has the potential to address our greatest challenges.”
Antonia Seymour, CEO of IOP Publishing, said: “Quantum science and technology represents one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of science today, and we have a proud history of publishing in this field. It promises to be an exciting year, with IYQ giving us the opportunity to raise awareness of the impact of quantum research and inspire breakthroughs that will shape the future.”
To explore the events and activities we have planned as part of the International Year of Quantum, visit our dedicated IYQ pages here: