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While the representation of women among physics bachelor's and PhDs has been steadily increasing, it remains the lowest among all other sciences. These “future faces of physics” will most likely be women, according to Rachel Ivie, Assistant Director of the Statistical Research Center at the American Institute of Physics (AIP). The representation of women and under-represented minorities in physics has changed over the last several years. I previously did an independent study in cosmology and astrophysics, so I felt right at home,” said senior Chaan Thomas of Chicago State University.Īttendees also had a chance to foster dialogue on perhaps the most challenging social issue in physics–race and gender diversity in the workforce. “Can planets orbit stars like pulsars? Can two technological civilizations detect each other? We don’t know the answers…yet,” said Tarter.

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Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) researcher Jill Tarter kicked off the plenary lecture series by posing some profound cosmic questions. The Congress provides a way to become aware of all the other research that’s out there,” said senior Kileigh Peturis of The University of Southern Mississippi. There is so much other research going on, but it’s easy to get bogged down and narrowly focused on your own lab. “The Congress is great for meeting influential people in the community and making contacts. What I really like is the conversation–everywhere you turn, every table or exhibit you walk by is just vibrating,” said Gary White, Director of the Society of Physics Students. “It’s very gratifying to see everything come together.

“Progress comes through compromise and consensus,” he said.Įxhibitors representing graduate school programs and scientific societies and organizations filled the halls as students mingled with fellow members and physicists. Speaker Philip Hammer, Vice President of the Franklin Center, stressed that civic scientists must understand the nature of political discourse and the boundaries of scientific authority. It was really eye-opening”, said senior Emmaris Soto of the University of Connecticut. “Before this conference, I didn’t know that as a physicist I could have a career in politics. Many attendees expressed surprise at the notion of scientists getting involved “in politics” and making a difference in their communities. Chapters voted on several recommendations, which will be encapsulated into a subset of actionable ideas and eventually implemented. During roundtable brainstorming sessions, members formulated recommendations to enhance the Society’s role in the civic science movement.

Participants tackled issues like science funding and policy, public perception of science, international research and collaboration, diversity in scientific fields, and science education and outreach through a series of scientific citizenship workshops. How shall we best encourage scientific citizenship?” remarked planning committee members Michael Gaither and Justin Stimatze at the opening of the Congress. “Our collective task, by the very nature of our gathering, is to ask what we can resolve to do as a society to best prepare the physicists of tomorrow. The APS and the American Association of Physics Teachers provided some support for the Congress. The Congress, held November 6-8, was designed to bring together undergraduates, physics alumni, and practicing physicists. Both are administered by the American Institute of Physics. Sigma Pi Sigma is a national physics honor society, housed within the Society of Physics Students (SPS). Five hundred and fifty students representing 103 institutions gathered at Fermilab in Batavia, IL this year to explore the myriad ways scientists effect change in society, from local activism to national politics. With the end of the 2008 US presidential election just a few days prior, the topic of scientific citizenship discussed at this year’s Sigma Pi Sigma Quadrennial Congress seemed especially relevant.

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