The IAPS March 2021 Extraordinary General Meeting, hereby EGM, is going to be hosted online by the IAPS Executive Committee (EC) on Sunday, March 27th 2021 starting at 12:30 UTC. We expect to hold the meeting using Zoom or a developing internal platform.
Please find below the draft EGM agenda, to which any IAPS member can propose changes, namely the addition of agenda items per the IAPS Charter point 17.4. The Executive Committee requests that these be sent until 23:59 UTC on February 25th, in order to give the EC time to determine how to include the points in the final agenda.
1. Election of the Chair, Secretary, and Tellers 2. Membership 2.1 Voting Rights 2.2 New Members 2.3 Quorum 3. Approval of the minutes of the December 20th 2020 Extraordinary General Meeting 4. Election of the new IAPS EC Events Manager for the remainder of the 2020/2021 term 5. Other points of interest
IAPS December Extraordinary General Meeting, hereby EGM, is going to be hosted online by the IAPS Executive Committee on Sunday, December 20th 2020 starting at 01:00 PM UTC. We expect to hold the meeting using Jitsi or Zoom
The National Committee representatives will have 7 votes, and the Local Committee representatives will have 2 votes. All of the individual members from one country have 1 vote between them. All member committees are to send details of their representatives with delegated voting rights, maximum of 2 persons, to the Executive Committee prior to the meeting. Other topics may also be discussed during the meeting under the other topics point but these discussions cannot be used to make formal decisions.
Please find below the final EGM agenda.
1. Election of the Chair, Secretary, and Tellers 2. Membership 2.1 Voting Rights 2.2 New Members 2.3 Quorum 3. Approval of the minutes of the 2020 Annual General Meeting 3.1 Proposed resolution on voiding votes under point 21.5 of AGM 2020 4. PLANCKS 4.1 PLANCKS 2020 overview 4.2 PLANCKS Rules Working Group Report 4.3 Discussion and vote on any proposed modifications of the PLANCKS Rules 4.4 Election of the host for PLANCKS 2022 5. ICPS 5.1 Report for current status of 2021 ICPS 6. EPS Young Minds Agreement 7. Discussion and vote on any proposed modifications of the Charter 8. Discussion and vote on any proposed modifications of the Regulations 9. External Relations 9.1 General updates on contacts with Physics-related unions, societies and organisations 9.2 General updates on contacts with student organisations 9.3 General updates on contacts with Physics-related journal publishers 9.4 General updates on contacts with industry-related institutions and networks 9.5 General updates on contact with IUPAP 9.6 Discussion and vote on proposal of Memorandum of Understanding from the International Association of Volcanology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) 9.7 Discussion and vote on proposing Memorandum of Understanding to the African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications (ASP) 9.8 Discussion and vote on proposing Memorandum of Understanding to the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) 9.9 Discussion and vote on proposing Memorandum of Understanding to the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) 9.10 Discussion and vote on proposing Memorandum of Understanding to The Optical Society (OSA) 10. Legal, administrative and financial aspects 10.1 Contact with le Tribunal Judiciaire regarding Charter 10.2 Change of bank 11. Engagement within IAPS 11.1 Working Groups 11.2 Thematic discussion groups 11.3 Communication with members and affiliated students 12. First quarter Executive Committee work update and review13. Update on IAPS Auditors for 2020/2021 term 14. Other points of interest
The International Association of Physics Students represents thousands of physics students around the world, and is committed to the well-being of our member community. Students’ rights form the foundation of academic development and civic engagement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of IAPS to address matters which impede upon these rights.
IAPS is deeply concerned with the infringement of fundamental human and civil rights following the recent presidential election in Belarus. A culture of fear has been imposed upon academics who criticised policies of the current government. Members of the scientific community who signed an open letter against the ongoing violence have been intimidated by the head of the Belarusian Academy of Science. Rights of thousands of peaceful Belarusians have been violated through unprecedented physical violence, restriction of internet access and suppression of freedom of speech.
We are troubled by the implication of these events on the educational and academic activities of fellow students. IAPS stands in solidarity with the Belarusian scientific community and supports their call for an end to violence and the arrests of peaceful protestors.
The Executive Committee of the International Association of Physics Students
The International Association of Physics Students (IAPS), as its Charter states, is an international, student-run educational association, which aims to encourage physics students in their academic and professional growth by developing an ever-growing worldwide community within which peaceful relations are established in a collaborative, diverse and friendly social environment.
2. Members can sign this open letter in support of Belarusian scientists who are now under administrative pressure for their civil stance: Statement in support of Belarusian scientists: https://forms.gle/VHw7X4sgn7fLxtqq9
3. If your university has contacts or partnerships with education officials at Belarusian universities, please use them to express solidarity with protesting students and concerns with lawless repressions;
4. Spread the word about the situation in Belarus / Belarusian academia with the help of local media, student organizations, public events at your university;
Statement of support for the Fridays for Future movement
Fridays for Future as a movement advocates for the recognition of scientific facts regarding the climate crisis and demands actions in accordance with the current scientific consensus. The International Association of Physics Students supports the demands of the Fridays for Future movement and calls for their implementation.
Concerning higher education, research facilities and universities, this entails a requirement to facilitate the participation at peaceful protests, for all people, no matter their age, place of living, or level of employment. Additionally IAPS condemns all kinds of repression or threads thereof against participants of those protests.
We also call on everyone to support these protests and the implementation of the demands from Fridays for Future. An example of this could be to host Public climate schools at facilities of higher education, advocate environmental awareness and co2 neutral research buildings/labs,and to promote participation in these matters.
IAPS @ a distance proceeds to its final Week 4 – Standing on the shoulders of giants. The sessions are the following, with Zoom registration links below:
⚛️ Condensed Matter Physics, with Dr. Roberta Caruso of the European Physical Society (EPS) and Dr. Omololu Akin-Ojo of the East African Institute for Fundamental Research (EAIFR) Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w_sqo7xWS2OvQZcsiyYNRA
🪐 Astronomy I, with representatives of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_afJy5_WQRGyvVJD1XgPL-Q
🌋 Volcanology, with representatives of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KdmuGOpCQkWOTs2l5Olmpg
👩🏾🔬 Women in Physics II, with Dr. Jessica Wade and Dr. Maryse Nkoua of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ws1XVJblTOyik9Bgi3Q0_Q
🌱 Environmental Physics, with representatives of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ix6erD63TQuZ9oZSetOOjg
🪐 Astronomy II, with representatives of the ALMA Observatory Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1tL8N0W3TbmMnr0axbQoPQ
📉 Statistical and Nonlinear Physics, with Dr. Christian Beck of the Statistical and Nonlinear Physics Division (SNPD) of the European Physical Society (EPS) Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tnUQItc_Td2yfNJUvLOjqw
🌐 Opportunities & EPS, with Dr. Petra Rudolf, President of the European Physical Society (EPS) Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2MWooi5zTrq_bPNwuD611w
IAPS @ a distance proceeds to Week 3 – Fantastic topics and how to explore them. The sessions are the following, with Zoom registration links in parenthesis:
📈 Physics of Socio-Economic Systems I, with Dr. Magda Schiegl of the Max Planck Alumni Association Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UAGGCE12T2GWoI-BoG2Lrw)
📐 Metrology, with representatives of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UAGGCE12T2GWoI-BoG2Lrw
👩🏾🔬 Women in Physics, with representatives of the OWSD and of The International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Women in Physics Working Group Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KrrrtgROS96f64_olUYbvQ
📊 Physics of Socio-Economic Systems II, with Dr. Marc Timme and Dr. Oliver Richters Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lnM1BxFOSoitojNMTYrXXA
🎓 Physics Education, with representatives of the African School of Fundamental Physics and Research (ASP) Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bQaPkoB2RZabJGKW7Sp9Rw
🧬 Biophysics, with representatives of The International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB) Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bQaPkoB2RZabJGKW7Sp9Rw
🍎 Gravitational Physics, with representatives of the South American Institute for Fundamental Research (associated with the ICTP – International Centre for Theoretical Physics) and the Virgo Collaboration Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H23GaRSRTdGwWLfFvSxC4Q
🖥 Seismology, with representatives of the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior (IASPEI) Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Lx7I2kxRRmj5rSkGeS-vw
🌀 Gravitational Wave Cosmology, with Dr. Misao Sasaki Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T-8ZcDyBSvu7PiXNDLNrPw
💎 Physics of Crystallography, with representatives of the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0qz_n9e9RIecRBNFSweldw
🧭 Geomagnetism & Aeronomy, with representatives of the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FfjmC5alSIug0IH_YdrZPQ
🌐 Physics for Development, with representatives from the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics – IUPAP’s Commission on Physics for Development (C13) Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oF2WFBL3S9euOoT9_V4ELg
IAPS @ a distance powers on and the sessions for week 2 are the following:
Physics Outreach, on August at 17th 3:00 PM CEST, with representatives from the European Physical Society (EPS) Young Minds (YM), the International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) and The Optical Society (OSA)
Geodesy, on August 18th at 1:00 PM CEST, with representatives from the International Association of Geodesy (IAG)
Astronomy in Culture, on August 18th at 7:00 PM CEST, with representatives from The International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Working Group on Archaeoastronomy and Astronomy in Culture
Physics at a global scale, on August 19th at 3:00 PM CEST, with Dr. Michel Spiro, President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP)
Advocacy in Physics, on August 20th at 2:00 PM CEST, with representatives of the American Institute of Physics (AIP) and the CAPhys – Canadian Association of Physicists
Climate Change, on August 21st at 11:00 AM CEST, with representatives of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Philosophy & Ethics in Physics, on August 21st at 5:00 PM CEST, with representatives of the Division of Logic, Methodology and philosophy of Science and Technology (DLMPST) of the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUHPST)
In addition, there will be: an IAPS Workshop, on August 21st at 2:30 PM CEST, on the topic of Advocacy for IAPS members only a social session, on August 17th at 12:00 PM CEST, for Physics students to share with each other their experiences in studying Physics
As we all know, the current challenge we are all facing of the pandemic, along with the consequent socio-economic difficulties, has forced the suspension of the major IAPS physical events, particularly PLANCKS and ICPS. These are, of course, very sad circumstances for us all.
Yet, though we may not be able to meet physically, we should strive to continue connecting as a community of students. In the spirit and responsibility of contributing to that purpose, the IAPS EC, in particular the Advocacy and the Events Working Groups, have prepared a calendar of online sessions about various Physics, Advocacy or general topics of interest to Physics students.
The sessions for week 1 are:
Physics of the Cryosphere, with Dr. Richard Essery – Secretary General of the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) on August 13th at 8.00 PM CEST
LGBTQ+ People in Physics, with Dr. Jake Noel-Storr – Member of the International Astronomical Union Executive Committee Working Group Organizing Committee on Accessibility and Inclusion on August 14th at 1.00 PM CEST
Dear members of IAPS, the next AGM is approaching and another event host that will be selected there is for PLANCKS 2022 competition. If you want to make a bid for hosting PLANCKS 2022, you can find information on how to do it from our bidding guide here: https://www.iaps.info/plancks/bids-for-plancks/
Dear members of IAPS, the next AGM is approaching and the host for ICPS 2022 will be decided there. If you want to make a bid for hosting ICPS 2022, you can find information on how to do it from our bidding guide here: https://www.iaps.info/icps/bids-for-icps/
an IAPS Workshop, on August 21st at 2:30 PM CEST, on the topic of Advocacy for IAPS members only
a social session, on August 17th at 12:00 PM CEST, for Physics students to share with each other their experiences in studying Physics