International Union of Pure and Applied Physics

• 1. Founding And Early History

  ›

  The year 1922 marked a turning point for global physics when thirteen nations gathered in Brussels to establish the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. This new organization emerged from the ashes of World War I, which had fractured scientific collaboration across Europe. The International Research Council convened that same year to coordinate international efforts in different branches of science. Physicists present at the assembly decided that forming a dedicated Physics Union was imperative for future progress. Thirteen countries immediately announced their adherence to this new body: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Empire of Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and Union of South Africa. An Executive committee formed shortly after with ten distinguished physicists including W.H. Bragg as President and M. Brillouin among its members. The committee undertook to prepare rules, regulations, and activities for the organization. Their work laid the foundation for what would become a century-long effort to foster international cooperation in physics.

• 2. Organizational Governance Structure

  ›

  The General Assembly meets every three years to govern the Union's direction and elect leadership positions. This body supervises nineteen specialized International Commissions alongside four Affiliated Commissions that handle specific subfields. The Council serves as the top executive body, typically meeting once or twice per year to oversee daily operations. Sixty Members currently adhere to IUPAP, each represented by Liaison Committees within their respective nations. Members of both the Council and Commissions are elected based on nominations received from these Liaison Committees and existing members. Commission C2 handles symbols, units, nomenclature, atomic masses, and fundamental constants while Commission C3 focuses on statistical physics. Other commissions cover areas ranging from astroparticle physics to plasma physics and mathematical physics. Working Groups like Women in Physics provide additional oversight over important areas of international collaboration. These structures ensure that diverse perspectives shape the organization's scientific priorities and policy decisions globally.

• 3. Global Conference Sponsorship Program

  ›

  Each year the Union endorses approximately thirty international conferences across various fields of study. Applications for sponsorship can be submitted through the official website to access funding opportunities. Four distinct categories organize how these meetings receive support depending on scope and audience size. Type A General Conferences provide broad overviews of entire fields with attendance expected between 750 and 1000 participants. Topical Conferences known as Type B concentrate on sub-fields like nuclear spectroscopy or heavy ion physics with 300 to 600 attendees anticipated. Special Conferences designated as Type C focus on much more specialized topics such as angular correlations or neutron resonance studies. Workshops in Developing Countries labeled Type D address regional needs without requiring full international participation. One Type D conference receives approval annually through the Commission on Physics for Development which reviews all applications. Attendance ranges vary significantly from fifty to two hundred individuals depending on the specific type approved each year.

• 4. Scientific Awards And Recognition

  ›

  The IUPAP Young Scientist Prize was approved at the 2005 General Assembly before being renamed Early Career Scientist Prize in 2021. The SUNAMCO Medal honors contributions made by researchers working within the Commission on Symbols, Units, Nomenclature, Atomic Masses and Fundamental Constants. Commission on Statistical Physics awards the Boltzmann Medal to recognize outstanding achievements in their field. The Shakti Duggal Award established in 1983 recognizes young scientists working in cosmic ray physics on behalf of the Bartol Research Institute. The Fritz London Memorial Prize comes from the Commission on Low Temperature Physics while the Kennedy Reed Medal enhances physics in developing countries. The ICPE Medal sponsored by the Commission on Physics Education supports excellence in teaching methods globally. Affiliated Commissions also contribute with prizes like the ICO Galileo Galilei Award given by the International Commission for Optics. These awards span decades of recognition ranging from early career milestones to lifetime achievement honors across multiple subfields.

• 5. Evolution Of Membership

  ›

  Thirteen founding nations joined the Union in 1922 including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Empire of Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and South Africa. Today sixty territorial members adhere to IUPAP representing physics communities worldwide. Some countries joined later such as those entering in 1957 or 1966 while others rejoined after periods of absence. China became a member in 1984 followed by Taiwan which joined that same year before ceasing membership in 2017. Russia joined in 1954 but ceased participation in 1991 before rejoining in 2009. Several nations hold no voting rights due to specific political circumstances affecting their status within the organization. Membership numbers fluctuate over time reflecting geopolitical changes and shifting scientific priorities across different regions. The list includes both current and former members showing how global representation has evolved since the initial thirteen founding states.

• 6. Leadership Through The Centuries

  ›

  Sir William Henry Bragg served as the first President from 1922 until 1931 leading the newly formed Executive Council. Robert Andrews Millikan succeeded him serving from 1931 to 1934 before Mann Siegbahn took office for fourteen years. Hendrik Anthony Kramers led during the late 1940s while Sir Nevill Francis Mott held the position through the mid-1950s. Edoardo Amaldi governed from 1957 to 1960 followed by Homi Jehangir Bhabha who served three years. Louis Eugène Félix Néel presided from 1963 to 1966 then Dmitrii Ivanovich Blokhintsev took over until 1969. Recent presidents include Cecilia Jarlskog from 2014 to 2017 and Kennedy J. Reed from 2020 to 2024. Michel Spiro currently serves starting in 2025 with Silvina Ponce Dawson following next term. Each president is elected by the General Assembly after being chosen as President-Designate during previous elections.

• 7. Navigating Geopolitical Sanctions

  ›

  The Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred in February 2022 prompting immediate responses from the organization regarding scientific cooperation policies. IUPAP issued a statement against the military offensive while advocating for continued international collaboration despite political tensions. The Union maintains that no scientists should be barred from participating in conferences based solely on nationality or affiliation. To alleviate sanctions physicists including students from any country can apply to use IUPAP as their official affiliation if excluded due to origin. This policy aims to promote principles and standards for international scientific collaboration regardless of geopolitical conflicts. The organization defends its stance throughout history ensuring access remains open even during periods of heightened global tension. Such measures help maintain connections between researchers who might otherwise face barriers imposed by national governments or international bodies.