For the last decade, Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP) has worked to help undergraduate women thrive in physics by providing them a unique opportunity to engage with and learn from other women in physics at all stages of their physics careers. At CUWiP, budding physicists will experience a professional conference, learn about graduate school and professions in physics, and share invaluable experiences, advice, and ideas with other women.

“There are quite a few undergraduate women studying physics who have never had a female physics professor, and who find themselves as the only, or one of very few, women in their physics classes,” said Sarah Demers, faculty advisor for the 2015 Yale conference. “These conferences can reduce their isolation, surrounding them with female physicist peers and role models.”

CUWiP began in 2006, at which time it was held only at University of Southern California. Participation has grown since then, and each year, 8-9 locations across the United States host simultaneous conferences that attract over 1000 women scientists. In 2012, APS became the institutional home for CUWiP.

This year, Oregon State University proudly represents the Pacific Northwest.

“The CUWiP conference gave me the confidence I needed to realize that I could be successful as a physicist.  Now I’m looking forward to offering that experience to others” —Allison Gicking (Oregon State CUWiP 2016 Co-Chair)

A typical program will include research talks by faculty, panel discussions about graduate school and careers in physics, presentations and discussions about women in physics, laboratory tours, student research talks, a student poster session, and several meals during which presenters and students interact with each other.

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Are you interested in making an impact on tomorrow’s scientists? Your support is critical to CUWiP’s success. Please contact us to learn how you can help.