By Anton Shterenlikht, Bristol University

With over 1100 members, the Computational Physics Group (CPG) is one of the largest IOP groups. The interests of CPG members are extremely broad, from computer algebra and numerical methods to large scale calculations in hydrodynamics, astrophysics, plasma physics, meteorology and geophysics; from HPC tools and parallel visualisation to large scale quantum mechanical simulations in nuclear, atomic, molecular and condensed matter physics; from theoretical calculations to experimental data analysis, image processing, AI, machine learning and "big data". Advances in microelectronics, numerical analysis and computer science all impact on computational physics, and it is important that practitioners of the subject are aware of developments in these fields.

CPG membership is very diverse and represents industry, academia and government organisations. The only unifying topic is the use of numerical tools to further physics research. The Group arranges specialised meetings on topics such as condensed matter simulations, applications of parallel computing, algebraic computing, image processing and computers in physics teaching, often in collaborations with other groups or organisations external to IOP. CPG has representation in the European Physics Society allowing international co-ordination.

CPG produces a newsletter twice a year, which contains news of group activities, articles covering exciting applications of computational physics and announcements of meetings and events. To submit a contribution to the newsletter, please contact Marco Pinna.

The CPG Committee offers an annual thesis prize for the author of the PhD thesis that, in the opinion of the Committee, contributes most strongly to the advancement of computational physics. Entry is open to all students from an institution in the UK or Ireland. Prize winners will be invited to write a feature article in the Computational Physics Group newsletter.

Finally, the CPG blog is a useful forum for communication and discussion between all CPG members and the wider audience.  The blog is also the easiest way to get in touch with the CPG committee, e.g. with suggestions for new events or other exciting ideas.