APS Strategic Framework

These strategies are designed to address emerging challenges for the physics enterprise. They rest on a strong foundation – our members, staff, and community – and support our lofty aspirations – as expressed through our vision, mission, and core values. They focus on sustainably adapting to evolving publication trends, fostering global connections within the physics community, promoting our core values, and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

The strategies are not meant to be prescriptive, but rather to center our work. By prioritizing these four areas, APS aims to ensure a bright future so that physics can continue to inspire and enrich for years to come.

Sustainably adapt to the changing publication landscape

Research publication is central to science and to the APS mission.

In physics, as in all sciences, scholarly publishing is a primary medium through which research is shared, debated, and built upon. To lead in this era of great change, APS must sustainably adapt and boldly innovate.

We will start by placing the researcher at the center of our publishing activities. By prioritizing the needs of researchers, we will ensure that our publications remain central to the scientific community. To achieve this goal, we will grow and diversify our publications portfolio, offering a wide range of content that serves researchers across physics and adjacent fields.

Additionally, we will develop open access strategies that promote accessibility while ensuring compliance and sustainability in publishing practices. In line with these efforts, we will expand our commercial offerings, seeking new revenue streams and enhancing our ability to meet the needs of our customers.

Through these initiatives, APS is committed to remaining a leader in the field of scientific publishing, providing researchers with the tools and resources they require to advance their work and contribute to scientific progress.

Convene and connect the global physics community

Connecting scientists around the globe fuels progress by increasing the pace of discovery and innovation.

APS is committed to fostering responsible international collaboration and interdisciplinary engagement.

This strategy aims to establish APS as a welcoming global hub for the world’s physics community. By providing a home for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, we will create a space where physicists from diverse backgrounds can connect on common ground.

We will engage current and future members by offering more personalized APS experiences. By tailoring our products and services to individuals’ needs and interests, we will increase accessibility, deepen engagement, and nurture connections with and between our members worldwide.

We will offer a suite of membership options, which will include a range of resources, programs, and events designed to meet the needs of physicists at every career stage and in every corner of the globe.

Through these efforts, APS will strengthen the centrality of its role within the global physics community.

Promote and elevate APS core values

Our core values guide how we work together.

APS core values emphasize the critical importance of scientific thinking, collaboration, education, speaking out, equity and inclusion, and ethical conduct. They apply across the entire APS community.

Within APS, we will continue to recruit and support individuals from a variety of backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. This enriches the workplace environment, brings a wider range of perspectives in support of our mission, and ensures a more equitable and effective organization.

Across APS, we will continue to grow, serve, and support our diverse community. We will provide resources, programs, and initiatives that increase access and address the needs and interests of all our members. By fostering a sense of belonging, we will strengthen physics, increase excellence, and build a more inclusive physics community.

We are committed to championing a culture of ethical conduct rooted in our core values by upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability. We build trust and confidence within and across the physics community when we promote and celebrate ethical behavior.

By promoting and elevating our core values, APS will create a vibrant organization that is well equipped to serve the needs of its members and advance the field of physics.

Embrace organizational effectiveness

Unparalleled service to APS members drives us to optimize operations and governance.

To be effective, APS must have clear objectives, streamlined processes, and empowered individuals, all working cohesively toward a set of common goals.

To improve our effectiveness, we will leverage data and analytics to gain deeper insights into the needs and preferences of our members, which will allow more individualized interactions. A data-driven approach will enable us to enhance our offerings and services, ensuring that they align with the evolving needs of the physics community.

Furthermore, we will continue to strengthen our governance to increase member engagement and improve mission delivery. We will empower members and provide them with meaningful experiences so that we can continue to draw upon their expertise and passion. This collaborative approach will help us drive positive change in the physics community.

At the same time, we will focus on operational excellence to ensure financial sustainability, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction. By optimizing operations, we will maximize resources and minimize waste to increase both relevance and sustainability. This will enable us to maintain our financial health, invest in strategic initiatives, and deliver high-quality services that meet the needs of our members.

By embracing organizational effectiveness, APS will enhance its impact across the scientific community. APS is committed to delivering value and driving positive change for members and the broader physics community through data analytics, collaborative governance, and operational excellence.