AIP Showcases #BlackinPhysics Week

This post is adapted from an American Institute of Physics press release:

The American Institute of Physics (AIP), of which the AAS is a member society, is celebrating and supporting #BlackinPhysics Week, from now until 31 October, through the publication of a series of essays, oral histories, illustrations, and social media posts. In addition, a new survey of academic institutions will showcase the impact of AIP’s TEAM-UP report on African American students in physics and the physical sciences.

Black in Physics Week is dedicated to celebrating Black physicists and their contributions to all physics-related disciplines. "AIP is committed to promoting increased diversity, equity, and inclusion in physics and the physical sciences,” said Michael Moloney, CEO of AIP. “With our support of #BlackInPhysics Week, we want everyone to be more aware of the important contributions that Black scientists have made and the ongoing struggles they face.

“Fostering equity and a sense of belonging for all who are a part of our scientific community requires coordinated action and change across a broad range of educational, research, and private-sector institutions. We embrace our unique opportunity and responsibility for advancing equity in for all in our community.”

Physics Today, the flagship publication of AIP, is working with UK-based Physics World to co-publish seven essays on topics of importance to Black physicists and physics students. The topics of the essays include trailblazing in the 21st century, how to be a successful student, work/life balance in graduate school, physical disability, impostor syndrome/mental health, science literacy, and Black representation in quantum information science and artificial intelligence. All this week different essays are being published on the Physics Today website and promoted on social media with the hashtag #BlackInPhysics. A question-and-answer feature story with organizers of #BlackInPhysics tells their tales of the passion for physics and their goals for the week.

“To show a more complete picture of what a physicist looks like as a core part of our mission, #BlackInPhysics Week aims to address this through our various events,” said Eileen Gonzales, one of the lead organizers of Black in Physics. “#BlackInPhysics Week plans to support Black physicists, both professionally and personally, with our content. We also want to celebrate Black physicists who helped to pave the way.”

AIP’s social media (@AIP_HQ) is helping the #BlackInPhysics Week organizers to promote a project they are conducting called #IAmHereBecause, where Black physicists share personal stories about who or what inspired them to study and work in physics and the physical sciences.