Academics

Last Update: July 2025

Software Plumbing Workshops

Software Plumbing Workshops are a regularly scheduled series of workshops designed to facilitate the distribution of programming knowledge throughout the department. This typically takes the form of upper-year grad students presenting about a topic they have become particularly knowledgeable about, and is attended mostly by other graduate students but undergraduate students are welcome as well.

Workshops are typically 1-2 hours long, interactive, and coincident with free coffee and snacks for optimal brain function!

Software Plumbing runs semi-regularly (according to interests of the department, funding for snacks, and availability of speakers) throughout the academic year (September to May).

If you would like more information about Software Plumbing workshops, to request specific topics, or to offer to host a workshop, reach out to the current PAGSA Academic Representative.

Past topics include:

Students in Physics and Astronomy Communication Enrichment

SPACE is a regularly-scheduled presentation program throughout the Summer semester in which graduate students present about an interesting topic that they find themselves knowing a bunch about and want to share with the world. SPACE presentations are meant to be entertaining and educational; beyond that, the sky is the limit. SPACE is an opportunity for us to be creative and have fun, in a welcoming environment which helps us all learn and grow! Presentations are not required to be similar to your area of research. It is also an opportunity to include an additional “public talk” on your CV, if you wish.

SPACE dates back to May 2012. Some examples from previous years include: Hipster Quantum Mechanics, Juggling by the Numbers, A Decision Procedure for Modal Logic (with Quantum Kitten Theory), Black Hole Memories, Phorses: Forces and Horses, Bikelicious, The Physics of Curling, Fowl Physics, Physics of Sailing, The Eye of the Octopus, and Physics of Flying Discs.

CALL FOR SPEAKERS 2026

We will be launching (to) SPACE next Summer, mid-May, and hope to run every Wednesday at 4pm. Presentations should be at least 20 minutes and up to an hour long, including questions.

If you are interested in contributing a presentation to the S.P.A.C.E. program this Summer, please reach out to the PAGSA Academic Representative ASAP. A preliminary title, abstract, and preferred dates are required to book a spot. you are welcome to change your presentation up to two weeks before your assigned presentation date. Details to come.

SPACE Talks 2025: SPACE Talks 2024: SPACE Talks 2023:

Want More Information?

There is a channel on the PAGSA discord server where we can chat logistics and amongst ourselves to figure out what ideas are interesting to present about for both the presenter and the audience. look for the #space channel.

Journal Clubs

If you're looking to stay up to date with the goings-on of your science niche, here's your one-stop-shop and signpost of where to go looking for likeminded folks with whom you may like to discuss!

If there is a physics or astronomy journal club that is missing from this page please let us know by emailing the current Academic rep.

AstroCoffee

Who: everyone is welcome! The room is generally populated by mostly astronomy grad students, but non-astronomy students have been known to drop by for a cup o' joe and several astronomy faculty members join regularly. Undergraduate students doing research at UVic and visiting students/faculty are also welcome.

What: AstroCoffee is a weekly event where folks bring recent astronomy papers or news for general discussion. This is a great way to learn about the important things going on in the broader astronomy community, which can be tough when you have so many things on your plate! Fresh coffee is brewed, teas are available, and occasionally snacks!

Where: in the 4th floor lounge.

When: every Friday at 10am. Usually pause at Winter break (mid December to mid January) and in deep Summer (July/August).

Communication: discord.

Facilitators: Simon (simonsmith[AT]uvic.ca)

HEPTea

Who: High Energy Physics (HEP) enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome!

What: Each week, we meet up to discuss new publications in the field of high energy physics. These include papers from large particle physics experiments such as ATLAS, Belle-II, Super Kamiokande, DUNE (the one without Timothée Chalamet) and more!

Where: ELL 105

When: Fridays at 1 pm

Communication: Email and #hep-tea channel on the PAGSA discord

Facilitators: Caleb Miller (calebmiller[AT]uvic.ca)

GARGOYLE: Galactic Astronomy Reading Group Optimizing Your Literary Enjoyment

Who: astronomy graduate students and post-docs working in the field of Galactic and extragalactic astronomy. Occasionally, guest speakers are invited to join to answer high level questions about a niche topic.

What: collectively, GARGOYLE members select one paper per week for the entire group to read in advance and discuss their understanding, impressions, opinions, etc. in an open forum format. We uphold a welcoming and non-judgmental environment where there are no such things as dumb questions. GARGOYLE members motivate and learn together.

Where: ELL 038

When: Mondays (time pending). GARGOYLE will usually pause during Summer semester and Winter break.

Communication: email list.

Facilitators: Shoshannah (sjbyrnem[AT]uvic.ca), Simon (simonsmith[AT]uvic.ca)