Looking Back, Looking Forward:An International Perspective

Judy FranzExecutive Officer, APS

March MeetingPittsburgh

March 16, 2009

IUPAP goals when founded in 1922

• Promote international cooperation in physics• Sponsor suitable international meetings• Foster the publication of tables of physical

constants• Promote international agreements on the use

of symbols, units, nomenclature, and standards

• Foster free circulation of scientists• Encourage research and education in physics

IUPAP• Members: Physics communities in

countries• Liaison Committees connect these

physicists to IUPAP• Governed by “General Assembly”

which meets every 3 years• 18 Commissions that sponsor

conferences on different subfields

1920 19301930 19401940 19501950 19601960 19701970 19801980 19901990 20060

10

20

30

40

50

All Fields

PhysicalSciences

Physics

Year of Degree

Percent

Percent of PhDs awarded to women in selected fields, 1920-2006.

National Research Council, National Opinion Research Center , and National Science Foundation. Data compiled by AIP Statistical Research Center.

By 1999 General Assembly

• 40% of the Liaison Committee were women

• Working Group on Women in Physics established

• First woman officer in 80 year history: me!

Two Important Outcomesfrom the Conference

Follow-up activities

Resolutions

Do you recognize this language?

Criteria and Requirements

1. Scientific value

2. International character

3. Inclusion of women

For IUPAP to sponsor conferences, they should include women

• On the advisory committee

• On the program committee

• As invited speakers

Signs of Accomplishment

#1 Publication record

#2 (?)Invited talks at major international conferences

Women give invited talks at prestigious international conferences

Women’s CVs look stronger

Women get better jobs and more awards

Women students have better role models and strive for success in physics

More women become physicists

1920 19301930 19401940 19501950 19601960 19701970 19801980 19901990 20060

10

20

30

40

50

All Fields

PhysicalSciences

Physics

Year of Degree

Percent

Percent of PhDs awarded to women in selected fields, 1920-2006.

National Research Council, National Opinion Research Center , and National Science Foundation. Data compiled by AIP Statistical Research Center.

Extra Hurdles

• Guidance Councilors• Disparaging faculty members• Fewer role models and support

systems• Dual-career marriage issues• Care-giving responsibilities

Some APS Programs

• Site visits• Colloquium support• Professional skills workshops• Gender Equity conference• Child care support

1920 19301930 19401940 19501950 19601960 19701970 19801980 19901990 20060

10

20

30

40

50

All Fields

PhysicalSciences

Physics

Year of Degree

Percent

Percent of PhDs awarded to women in selected fields, 1920-2006.

National Research Council, National Opinion Research Center , and National Science Foundation. Data compiled by AIP Statistical Research Center.