The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) has recognised a particular need to foster the participation of women in physics. The IUPAP Conferences series on Women in Physics, organised by IUPAP Working Group 5, has a history not only of success and growth but also of making a difference to the physics community. The 8th conference in this series will be held virtually during 10-14 July 2023 with India as the host country and it will be jointly organised by the Gender in Physics Working Group (GIPWG) of Indian Physics Association (IPA) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). The conference will be hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) – a national centre of TIFR, strongly focused on promoting quality and equity in Science & Mathematics education from primary school to introductory college levels.
While the community of women physicists in India has long been vocal in discussing gender issues and promoting equity, recent years have seen these efforts gain a formal shape. The IPA established the GIPWG in 2017, while a Working Group on Gender Equity of the Astronomical Society of India was established in 2015. The national science academies in India have also set up panels on women in science. The Government of India has been strongly supportive of efforts to increase the participation of women in science. This commitment has been signaled by its having set up a Task Force on Women in Science and a Standing Committee on Women in Science. Most recently, it has launched GATI, an accreditation program to promote gender equity.
Organizing ICWIP2023 in India is a unique opportunity to further India’s commitment to the cause of promoting women in physics. In addition, many initiatives in the country to support gender equity in science will serve as illustrative examples for developing countries, dealing with the women under-representation in Physics and other STEM disciplines.
The program will consist of plenary sessions, interactive workshops, poster presentations, and networking sessions. In addition to the country papers depicting the status of women in physics, registered participants can make contributions in physics, physics education and gender issues.
Poster contributions broadly based on the following topics are invited from registered participants.
- Astrophysics and Cosmology
- Nuclear, particle, atomic and accelerator Physics
- Laser, Optics & quantum information
- Condensed matter physics & nanoscale physics
- Environmental & Medical Physics
- Women in Physics
- Women & Girls in Physics education or Physics Education
Participation in ICWIP2023 requires adherence to the conference Code of Conduct.