Forum on Physics and Society
The Forum on Physics and Society (FPS) is a division of the American Physical Society, organized in 1971 to address issues related to the interface of physics and society as a whole. The support of APS members is vital to the work of the Forum, both because Forum activities are coordinated by its active members and the financial support the Forum receives from the APS depends on its membership. All APS members may join two Forums free of charge. Join the FPS Now!
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| The Forum on Physics and Society, in partnership with the Society of Physics Students and the APS Forum on Graduate Student Affairs, is proud to announce the Student Fellowships in Physics and Society. The Fellowships are open to undergraduate or graduate students in physics who will be awarded up to $4,000 each to support a project that applies physics to a societal issue. The primary goal of the Student Fellowship in Physics and Society is to provide research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in physics and society, and to raise the awareness of applying physics to problems in society as a career and as an important undertaking by members of the physics community. Applications are due November 15, 2006. Further information and an application can be found at http://www.spsnational.org/programs/awards/fellowships.htm |
PHYSICS AND SOCIETY (P&S), a quarterly newsletter is available here back to 1993. It includes original research articles, reports on Forum-sponsored APS sessions, letters and regular book reviews. It is sent free of charge to all Forum members.
Latest issue, January 2008
October 2007
July 2007
April 2007
January 2007
Archives
Science and Technology Policy - Resources
Physicists Contribute Insights to the Energy and Environment Debate
PLEASE FILL OUT THE MEMBERSHIP SURVEY AND BE COUNTED NOW
Burton-Forum and Szilard Awards and the Nicholson Medal
The Forum sponsors two annual APS awards: the Burton-Forum award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the endeavor to promote public understanding of issues involving the interface between physics and society, and the Leo Szilard Award for Physics in the Public Interest recognizes outstanding accomplishments by a physicist in promoting the use of physics for the benefit of society in such areas as the environment, arms control and science policy. Here are listings of Burton-Forum and Szilard winners, and the citations. In addition, the Nicholson Medal was established in 1994 by both the Forum and the Division of Plasma Physics "to recognize the humanitarian aspect of physics and physicists". The description and list of winners is here.
Information about the Foster Fellows Program
Forum sponsored APS Sessions
The Forum organizes topical sessions at the APS March and Spring meetings that bring together scientific experts, government officials, and others to discuss and debate timely issues. Recent topics have included:
| Acid Rain | Physics and the Law | Atmospheric Ozone Depletion |
| Fusion Power | Chernobyl | Nonproliferation |
| Renewable Energy | Big/Little Physics | On-Site Inspection |
| Peer Review | Risk Perception | Theatre Ballistic Missiles |
| Employment Issues | Global Warming | Int'l Safeguards on Pu/HEU |
USEFUL LINKS
A massive list of physics-related links, including lists of physics departments, institutions and research groups, jounals, publishers, software, computing centers, conferences, scholarships, funding, jobs, equipment, instruments, educational resources, etc. here
Physics News from Washington
Scientific Organizations - APS home page --main gateway to the American Physical Society, including Forum and Division home pages, membership information, conference schedules, journals, careers, etc.
- APS units --link to other forums, plus divisions, topical groups, etc.
- AIP home page
- AAAS home page --including Science, project 2061, program on Science and Policy (direct link below), education, international directorate, etc.
Government Agencies
Journals
Science and Policy Links
