• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE0038

Freeman, Joan

(1918 – 1998)
  • Nationality Australian
  • Born 7 January, 1918, Perth Western Australia Australia
  • Died 18 March, 1998
  • Occupation Physicist

Summary

In 1976 Joan Freeman became the first woman to be awarded the British Institute of Physics’ Rutherford Medal. She began her career at CSIR Radiophysics Laboratory during World War II, working on the production of a 10cm microwave radar set, and spent most of her working life at the British Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell.

Details

Freeman was educated at the University of Sydney, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in 1939 and Master of Science in 1943.

She worked with the CSIR Radiophysics Laboratory 1941-46; the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge 1946-51; and the Van de Graaff Accelerator Group, Harwell Nuclear Physics Division 1951-78.

Freeman was awarded the Rutherford Medal, British Institute of Physics, in 1976. SCEGGS Darlinghurst has a science, art and technology centre named in her honour.

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Published resources

Archival resources

  • National Archives of Australia, National Office, Canberra
    • Dr Joan M Freeman
    • Dr Joan M Freeman
  • National Library of Australia
    • [Biographical cuttings on Joan Freeman, physicist, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]

Related entries


  • Related Organisations
    • Sydney Church of England Girls' Grammar School (1895 - 1995)
    • SCEGGS Darlinghurst (1995 - )