About Conferences for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics

Goals of the conferences

The goal of Conferences for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics is to support undergraduate women and gender minorities in pursuing physics, whether through graduate studies or professional careers, by giving them the opportunity to experience a professional conference. Conferences are hosted in collaboration with universities, colleges and other institutions.

At these regional conferences, undergraduate physics majors can learn from the advice, ideas and experiences of professionals and educators in physics. Conference organizers strive to create a welcoming environment for all, with a focus on undergraduate women and gender minorities.

Leadership of the conferences

Coordination between the Conferences for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities National Organizing Committee (NOC), local conference sites and APS make the conferences possible.

The NOC, in collaboration with APS, provides national coordination of the annual conferences. The NOC supports conference organizing, provides information and documentation to local organizers, and reviews proposals from prospective host institutions.

Local organizing committee designees

Local organizing committees partner with their institutions and the national organizing committee to host the conferences.

• Katharina Gillen and Jennifer Klay
  California Polytechnic State University
• Noemi Rocco, Bianca Giaccone, and Brendan Kiburg
  Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
• Alyssa Horne, Ryan Munter, Rita WIlson, Kadja Flore Galu, and Swafuva Varappillikudy Sulaiman
  Michigan Technological University
• Cara Giovanetti and Alexandra Zidovska
  New York University
• Ian Arnold and Kyoung-Soo Lee
  Purdue University
• Ting Lu
  Stevens Institute of Technology
• Jennifer Ross
  Syracuse University
• Preethi Nair
  University of Alabama
• Lipi Gupta and Oskar Hallatschek
  University of California, Berkeley/LBNL
• Javier Duarte, Tongyan Lin, Adam Burgasser, and Robin Glefke
  University of California, San Diego
• Bethany Wilcox, Anya Grafov, and Iona Binnie
  University of Colorado, Boulder
• Nora Berrah
  University of Connecticut
• Firouzeh Sabri
  University of Memphis
• Simonetta Liuti and Kiara Ruffin
  University of Virginia
• Vivienne Baldassare
  Washington State University

Attendee experiences

Students who have attended conferences have come away from this event inspired to pursue physics and with an understanding of future education and career opportunities in the field.

"After two days of watching physicists give presentations on their research and different experiences in their fields, it seemed like I really knew what kinds of physics I found interesting versus which areas I found less interesting. For anyone who is unsure about exactly what they want to do, I highly suggest attending a conference!"

— Shannon Glavin, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

"This conference has invigorated me to move forward in physics with more determination and enthusiasm. I believe that every participant, like me, has enjoyed every single minute of this eye-opening experience. I highly recommend any woman who has some interest in physics to attend CUWiPs in the future."

— Zhuyun Xiao, Bryn Mawr College

Learn more about attending the conferences

Contact

Have questions about Conferences for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics? Please contact the APS team.