Tag: science advocacy

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Announcements Opportunities

Call For Working Group Members

Working groups for the 2021-2022 term have now been launched! These are a great low-commitment way to get more involved with IAPS. See a full list below:

  • The Outreach working group spreads the joy of physics to students around the world and uses the IAPS platform to speak up for students who need it.
  • The PR working group keeps students engaged and informed in the IAPS community, through creative posts, initiatives and campaigns.
  • The Recruitment working group aims to to make IAPS even more international, empowering students around the world to form student groups (IAPS Local and National Committees).
  • The Membership & Advocacy working group provides the backbone to the IAPS community and ensures that each National and Local Committee is getting all the support, help and value that IAPS can provide.
  • The Events working group oversees events run by IAPS Local and National Committees, and also hosts many additional events, such as iaps2CERN and the IAPS Industry Talks.
  • The Finances working group fundraises for IAPS initiatives and is crucial in ensuring that IAPS’ year-round events are possible.
  • The IT working group maintains, updates and recreates IAPS’ IT infrastructure. With a new website, database and more platforms coming soon, there are many projects to get involved in.
  • The External Relations working group maintains strong relationships with IAPS’ partners, makes the most of these partnerships and builds connections with new organisations.
  • The Strategic Committee works to help IAPS reach its strategic goals. This working group is perfect for anyone with ideas for how things could be improved and excitement for what IAPS could become.

If you have any questions, email ec@iaps.info. Working groups are a fantastic way to meet new people in IAPS, get involved in cool projects and increase your chances if you plan to run for any elected IAPS positions.

We will be holding a Working Group Fair on Kumospace at 14:00 – 15:00 UTC on Sunday the 26th of September (join here). It will be a good opportunity to speak with the working group leaders and ask any questions you may have.

Categories
Advocacy

IAPS Statement on the Breach of Fundamental Rights of Belarusian Students

September 16th, 2020

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.

You can read the Original Statement from the People of the Republic of Belarus: https://scienceby2020.github.io/#en

Things We Can Do As Students:

1. Write (open) letters of support.

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;

5. Donate to Belarus Solidarity Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/donate/759400044849707/1523380014538448/

To read more about the latest events in English, please follow these links: 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/belarus-students-protest-1.5707670

https://www.voiceofbelarus.com/bsu-lecturer-who-coordinated-strike-convicted/

https://belarusfeed.com/

Categories
Advocacy

IAPS AGM Fridays for Future Statement

IAPS AGM 2020 Fridays for Future Statement.docxDownload

August 22nd 2020

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.

The IAPS 2020 Annual General Meeting

Categories
Advocacy

IAPS EC statement on climate change and the Student Strike for Climate

Due to its nature as a global organisation for cooperation between Physics students, IAPS is a particularly important platform for serious discussion around scientific topics, including reflection on how research impacts public policy and what the scientific community can do to influence policy on relevant issues that directly relate to its work and its understanding of natural phenomena.

As is generally known, climate change is, most likely, the issue that is most representative of the dangers of public decision-makers not following or falling short of taking necessary action to address long-standing, evidence-based scientific consensus.

Consequently, the Executive Committee of IAPS considers it is of utmost importance for all in the scientific community to make sure the public and its representatives are paying attention to the all too real threat of a climate crisis, especially those who represent future of Science: students.

In order to do its part in calling attention to climate change, the EC decided to release a statement stressing the seriousness of this issue, mentioning the insufficient efforts by many governments – some not even accomplishing the timid goals of the Paris Climate Agreement – and underlining the positive impact of various forms of action, including the Student Strike for Climate. Though much has been done recently, it is clear more ambitious measures must be taken.

Read through the statement below!

IAPS-EC-Statement-Climate-change-and-Student-Strike-for-ClimateDownload