Programs

Women+ in Plasma Physics

Of all the physics problems encountered, the most frustrating one has been the unacceptable under-representation of women (cisgender & transgender) and other minoritized genders. The APS-DPP membership has historically experienced especially low representation of women, at a stagnant ~10% in comparison to ~15% APS as a whole, and information on nonbinary and transgender members has not even been historically gathered.

APS and APS-DPP are working to promote the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women and other minoritized genders in physics. The APS-DPP Committee on Women and Minoritized Genders in Plasma Physics (W+IPP) organizes events at the APS-DPP Annual Meeting to provide networking and discussion opportunities, identify gender-based challenges faced in the plasma physics community, and maintain data on minoritized genders in plasma physics. More on the history of W+IPP.

Questions? Comments? Interested in becoming a member of the APS-DPP W+IPP committee? 

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APS-DPP Meeting Activities

The W+IPP luncheon provides networking and discussion opportunities for minoritized gender students and plasma scientists, and their allies.. The luncheon often includes updates, plans, and statistics on gender in Plasma Physics, and a speaker from the plasma physics community is invited to share some of thier experiences and answer questions. The luncheon is open to all conference attendees. Typically, about half of the attendees are students. Tickets must be purchased in advance during conference registration. APS-DPP provides financial support for graduate students to attend. 

The W+IPP includes refreshments and may feature a short talk, possibly from an expert external to our community, a discussion panel, or moderated group discussions. All are welcome to attend.

The APS-DPP Allies Program aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for all attendees at the DPP annual meeting.

View Past Presentations

Awards

The Katherine Weimer Award for Women in Plasma Physics recognizes and encourages outstanding achievement in plasma science research by a woman physicist in the early years of her career. The award consists of $2,000, a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient, and presented during the award ceremony at the DPP Annual Meeting banquet, and a registration fee waiver. The recipient will be invited to give a talk at the DPP annual meeting. The award was presented every three years beginning in 2002 and starting in 2019 will be presented every two years.

Aside from this award, women have been recognized by the society and have become APS fellows, received the Marshall N. Rosenbluth Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award, the John Dawson Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research, and the Thomas H. Stix Award for Outstanding Early Career Contributions to Plasma Physics Research.  In 2016, for the first time in over 40 years, a woman was awarded the James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics.

More DPP Awards

APS Support for Women in Physics

APS sponsors a number of programs supporting women in physics, including:

• STEP UP is a national community of physics teachers, researchers, and professional societies. We design high school physics lessons to empower teachers, create cultural change, and inspire young women to pursue physics in college.
• The American Physical Society’s Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) helps undergraduate women continue in physics by providing information about graduate school, professions in physics, and access to shared advice and ideas with women in physics of all ages.
• Professional Skills Development Seminars provide women with training in effective negotiation and communication skills.
• Best practices documents and site visits to improve the climate for women and underrepresented minorities in physics, from undergraduates to faculty.

More on APS Women in Physics