One of the highlights of this issue is the article “Fractional Derivatives in Optics and Photonics” by Prof. Martijn de Sterke, recipient of the 2024 W.H. (Beattie) Steel Medal. This issue also features an article about Aleksander Jabłoński, and n article on the development of optical palpation in biomedical imaging by Qi Fang and Brendan Kennedy. As we celebrate the International Year of Quantum 2025, our “Blast from the Past” feature revisits a classic ANZOS article from 2016: “Quantum Vision – Revisiting the Quantum Microscope” by Marcus W. Doherty. In addition, Elizabeth Arcadi, a PhD student at Macquarie University, shares her experience participating in the Optica Career Accelerator Program, alongside a recap of the inspiring events organised by Macquarie students to celebrate the International Day of Light.