IUPAP Executive Council and Commission Chairs

Europe/Zurich
ICTP-SAIFR

ICTP-SAIFR

Silvina Ponce Dawson
Description

The meeting will be hybrid, with the in-person part in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Zoom room is: https://zoom.us/j/94009881673. PLEASE CHECK THIS!

Registered participants will receive the access code per email. If you do not have the code, contact secretariat@iupap.org.

27 October: C1 Meeting—restricted participation (14.00 to 16.00)  CET (Geneva Time)

28 October: EC&CC meeting (14.00 to 17.00)  CET (Geneva Time)

29 October: EC&CC meeting (14.00 to 17.00)  CET (Geneva Time)

30 October: EC&CC meeting (14.00 to 16.15)  CET (Geneva Time),  

  • Executive Council Meeting (16.30 to 17.00) CET (Geneva Time)

 

Contact: Gabriella Marra
Participants
  • Jens Vigen
    • 14:00 16:00
      C1: Commission on Policy and Finance: Financial matters restricted meeting, to be held in Michel Spiro's Zoom room] 2h ICTP

      ICTP

      The material for this meeting will be shared elsewhere.

      Attendees: members of C1
      - President
      - Past-President
      - President-Designate
      - Secretary General for Administrative Affairs
      - Deputy Secretary General for Administrative Affairs
      - Secretary General
      - Deputy Secretary General
      - Associate Secretary General
      - Treasurer
      - Invited Vice President for Membership and Development
      - Invited Vice President for Special Projects

      Meeting to review the matters to be discussed at the EC&CC meeting, the conduct of that meeting as well as general matters on decisions that are made on a daily basis, especially related to expenses and their control.

    • 16:00 16:30
      Coffee Break (is this necessary?) 30m
    • 16:30 17:30
      C1: Commission on Policy and Finance: Financial matters restricted meeting, continuation 1h
    • 14:00 14:05
      Welcome by Presidency 5m
      Speakers: Silvina Ponce Dawson, Dr Michel Spiro (Université Paris-Saclay (FR)), Sunil Gupta
    • 14:05 14:20
      Introduction of the Participants 15m

      Most participants are scattered around the world,
      Zoom group photo

      while a part of the Executive Council have gathered at ICTP, Trieste.
      EC members gathered at ICTP

      Speaker: Prof. Florencia Canelli (University of Zurich (CH))
    • 14:20 14:25
      Approval and adoption of the Agenda 5m
      Speaker: Silvina Ponce Dawson
    • 14:25 14:40
      Report on the Trieste Office 15m
      • IUPAP administrative issues
      • Communication channels
      • IUPAP awards and medals
      Speaker: Stefano Fantoni
    • 14:40 14:45
      Report on the Association in Geneva 5m
      • IUPAP tax exempt for a period of five years, starting in 2021. Needs to be renewed in 2025. It's advancing.
      • Continuation with accountant and auditor: Moore Stephens Refidar SA
      Speaker: Dr Michel Spiro (Université Paris-Saclay (FR))
    • 14:45 15:00
      Minutes of the previous EC&CC meeting, "to do list" and matters arising 15m

      The minutes of the EC&CC meeting held online on January 13-15, 2025 are available here.

      We include below the to do list that came from this EC&CC meeting:

      1) Need to advertise IUPAP better at flagship conferences. Video on IUPAP to be shown at IUPAP conferences. The video produced for the centenary might be useful. Request the president to send a message to the conference. Share some slides on IUPAP.

      2) Need to advertise better the calls of nominations for IUPAP ECSPs. Need to make early career scientists more aware of their existence. Perhaps IUPAP conferences can be used for this too.

      3) Advance with arrangement with Frontiers in Physics to invite recipients of ECSPs to submit an article free of charge to the journal. DONE (see more details later)

      4) Some immediate future tasks:
      • Renew tax exempt status of Swiss Association (ends in 2025). ADVANCED.
      • Renew MoU with FIT in Trieste (which ends in 2026).

      5) Advance appointment of Associated Commission Members (see document to be discussed later. DONE.

      6) Advance and finalize decision on GA & ICP 2027. DONE.

      7) Creation of Membership Committee. DONE.

      8) Advance with incorporating new partners and new facilities in LAAAMP. DONE. (IUPAB, IUPAC still pending, Shanghai).

      9) Advance with the rejuvenation task force. DONE. ( proposal will be discussed later).

      10) Suggestions for WG16: several participants of the EC&CC meeting in January 2025 made suggestions, among them, reaching out to someone based in Bangalore that could serve on WG16 to make contact with this renown hub for software, to look at the SPIE Global Business Forum events and learn from their experience liaising with companies, to seek advice from ICUIL (IUPAP’s WG), to liaise with the Fusion Industry Association (https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/about/members/), to add a member from Oceania, either Australia or New Zealand since both countries are very keen to translate physics research into economic impact. The need of commissions to relate with companies was stressed. Hopefully this information will be conveyed to the new Committee on the matter.

      11) Contribute with activities for IYQ2025. New initiatives led by IUPAP: IUPAP/UNESCO Colloquia. IUPAP/IQY2025 Photo Contest. DONE.

      12) Improve communications. See proposal of Rejuvenation Task Force.

      13) Liaison with ISC: resolution on visas. Finally, this got transformed into a letter addressed to Immigration Officers signed by over 20 International Scientific Unions. DONE

      14) IDSSD. Two initiatives: IUPAP/UNESCO colloquia will cover themes of IDSSD starting in 2026. Inter-union effort within the framework of ISC to write joint reports on specific issues. So far, possible themes collected (see Silvina's presentation at roundtable of ISC Category 1 members). Next step: organization of inter-union colloquia. DONE

      15) QST. With the leadership of Jaewook, C15 chair, several Commissions + the members of WG19 on QST have discussed the creation of a new commission on QST and recommended to create one in Quantum Technology. Their report is available here.

      16) Appoint someone to serve on ICO (AC1). Not done yet.

      17) Advance with the definition on the selection of IUPAP representatives on other bodies. Proposal presented by President Designate needs to be approved.

      Matters arising:

      • Endorsement of statement on scientific migrations in times of crisis. This statement stemmed from a session on scientific migrations which took place during StatPhys29 in Florence. IUPAP's President (Silvina) was there and that is why she is a co-signer of the statement together with the other participants of the session. The idea now to have different organizations endorse it, among them, IUPAP.
      • Presentation at IYQ2025 closing ceremony. The IYQ Closing Ceremony will be taking place in Accra, Ghana during the week of February 9th, 2026. The program is currently expected to take place within the February 10–12 window, with the final format—one or two days—to be confirmed by mid-October. The Closing Ceremony, will convene global leaders across science, policy, and industry to mark a historic year and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. Attending this high-profile event offers sponsors direct access to a rising regional ecosystem engaging with institutions like AIMS Ghana and ARC-EDS—and help shape Africa’s growing role in the global quantum landscape. Learn more about Ghana and its role in the future of quantum here. With that in mind, the Steering Committee has granted permission to invite IUPAP to exhibit at the Closing Ceremony. This was not a benefit originally offered to Participating sponsors but with all of the momentum IYQ has created we want as many of the organizations that made it possible at the event. If we are interested in exhibiting we need to let the organizers know as soon as possible so that we are included in the logistical emails. The exhibit area set up is still in the process of being set up, but this what the organizers have asked Ghana to provide:
        • One 6 foot table and two chairs
        • Basic electrical
        • Basic Wi-FI
        • Waste Basket
        Anything beyond these items will be our responsibility. The organizers will select the shipping/freight company but we will be responsible for all associated costs should we choose to engage their services.
      Speaker: Silvina Ponce Dawson
    • 15:00 15:10
      Decisions made by Council since the 33rd IUPAP General Assembly 10m

      Resolution to be presented for the approval of the 34th GA:

      The 34th IUPAP General Assembly notes the decisions made by Council after the previous GA and approves them all (see details here). This implies approving:
      • the replacement of Ajith Kumar B.P. by Ambarish Kunwar from India as a regular member of C13, Physics for Development.
      • the change in the name of two positions in the Executive Council from Secretary General for Legal and Financial Affairs and Deputy Secretary for Legal and Financial Affairs to Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General, respectively. It approves, at the same time, the modifications in the Articles and Internal Regulations of the Union required to accommodate these changes.
      • the incorporation of SKAO, as IUPAP Corporate Associate Member with 1 unit
      • the acceptance of the resignation of Chao Tang (China-Beijing) as secretary (and member) of the Commission on Statistical Physics, C3; the incorporation of Limei Xu (China-Beijing) as regular member of C3 and the appointment of Erika Eiser (UK) as the new secretary of C3

      It also takes note of other decisions made by Council that do not require the specific approval of the GA (see details here). They are:
      • the change of the name of the Prize and Medal awarded by the Commission on Astroparticle Physics, C4, to “IUPAP-TIFR-Locus.sh Homi Bhabha Medal and Prize”
      • signing the Nobel Laureate Assembly Declaration for the Prevention of Nuclear War of July, 2025
      • the decision to have the next in-person IUPAP GA in 2027 in South Africa together with an International Conference of Physics focused on Physics for a Regenerative Planet
      • the appointments of Associated Members to Commissions, Working Group members and Chairs, and the decisions on IUPAP representatives on other bodies.

      Speakers: Michel Spiro (Université Paris-Saclay (FR)), Silvina Ponce Dawson
    • 15:10 15:11
      Group photo 1m
    • 15:15 15:34
      Tea and coffee break 19m
    • 15:35 15:55
      Membership issues 20m

      Incorporation of new CAMs:

      Speakers: Igle Gledhill, Prof. Irvy (Igle) Gledhill (U. Witwatersrand, South Africa)
    • 15:55 16:15
      Special Projects and Sponsorship 20m
      Speaker: Kuijuan Jin (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • 16:15 16:45
      Conferences proposed for sponsorship 30m
      Speaker: Rudzani Nemutudi (South African National Research Foundation: iThemba LABS)
    • 14:00 14:10
      Review of Day 1 10m
      Speaker: Silvina Ponce Dawson
    • 14:10 15:00
      Commission Matters 50m
      • a) Reports from Commissions and Affiliated Commissions.
        • Please see attached documents below for the reports received.
      • b) Help from Commission Chairs to better advance the IUPAP-CERN liaison
      • c) Commission Prizes and fund allocation. Also, see Word file below with form that could be shared for the submission of candidates of ECSPs.
      • d) Early Career Scientist Prize (ECSP) Interdisciplinary
      • e) Nominations for the next commission chairs who will officially take office following the 2027 GA. Nominations, in the same spirit, for next Officers and EC VP at Large to follow. See relevant resolution passed in 2024 + relevant Articles and Regulations. Possible revision of Resolution 1 of the 33rd GA.
      • f) ECSPs and Frontiers in Physics Main points (some already discussed, others proposals for the future):
        • Frontiers in Physics & IUPAP Early Career Scientist Prize: For 2025, we initiated this collaboration by inviting the 3 winners from the C12 Nuclear Physics Commission to submit a free-of-charge Mini Review article to Frontiers in Physics. We plan to expand this initiative to other Commissions, with the goal of creating an official Research Topic for the 2028 round of awards, which will be open to all prize winners.
        • Broader collaboration between Frontiers & IUPAP (including the 2027 General Assembly): We considered connecting the General Assembly and ICP conference - under the "Physics for Regenerative Development" theme - with Frontiers, in particular as this appears to naturally align with the objectives of the Frontiers Planet Prize. In this regard, after some informal conversations with a Frontiers representative, she spoke with the Associate Director of the Frontiers Planet Prize about potential ways that Frontiers could support the 2027 General Assembly. Their proposal would be to have a representative from Frontiers in Physics either attending the event or offering sponsorship (pending budget confirmation in 2026), and leveraging digital and physical resources - flyers, video content, or virtual presentations - for wider dissemination of the Frontiers Planet Prize. FYI: Since its launch 3 years ago, the Frontiers Planet Prize has engaged with over 10,000 participating scientists through their contribution as authors, over 650 leading institutions from 68 countries and 25 national academies.
      • g) Presentations by Chair of C2 and by Chair of WG13 on the Newtonian Constant of Gravitation
      • h) Discussion on creation of Commission on QST. See report on this issue here.
      • i) Input from Commission Chairs
      Speakers: Gabriella Marra, Dr Michel Spiro (Université Paris-Saclay (FR)), Silvina Ponce Dawson, Sunil Gupta
    • 15:00 15:40
    • 15:40 16:00
      Tea and coffee break 20m ICTP

      ICTP

    • 16:00 16:45
      Working Groups 45m
      Speakers: Igle Gledhill, Silvina Ponce Dawson, Alex Hansen, Alex Hansen (NTNU), Christophe Rossel
    • 16:45 17:15
      Financial matters 30m
      Speakers: Boris Sharkov, Boris Sharkov (JINR)
    • 14:00 14:10
      Review of Day 2 10m
      Speaker: Silvina Ponce Dawson
    • 14:10 14:25
      Communications 15m
      • IUPAP internet, website
      • Newsletter
      Speaker: Sandro Scandolo
    • 14:25 14:35
      Outreach activities: IUPAP/UNESCO colloquia and IUPAP/IYQ2025 Photo Contest 10m
      Speaker: Silvina Ponce Dawson
    • 14:35 14:50
      Report from Vice President for DEI 15m
      Speaker: Gillian Butcher
    • 14:50 15:00
      Activity report and Interdisciplinary Early Career Scientist Prize 10m
      Speakers: Silvina Ponce Dawson, Sunil Gupta
    • 15:00 15:15
      Discussion on the 2026 EC&CC meeting 15m

      A capture of the constructive working atmosphere as the discussion on the next EC&CC meeting is about to start. Please note, for delegates based in Oceania the photo is taken in the middle of the night!
      Zoom group photo
      Zoom group photo

    • 15:15 15:25
      The International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development 2024 - 2033 (IDSSD) and the Earth-Humanity Coalition 10m

      The International Decade of (all) Sciences (and all knowledge including traditional) for Sustainable Development 2024 - 2033 (IDSSD) and its relationship with the Earth-Humanity Coalition.

      Speaker: Dr Michel Spiro (Université Paris-Saclay (FR))
    • 15:25 15:45
      ISC matters and relationship with other bodies 20m

      IUPAP activities and representation within ISC and how to decide on IUPAP representation on other bodies (see proposal for the latter here).

      Collaboration with COSPAR. Proposed draft MOU here.

      Speakers: Pietro Ubertini, Silvina Ponce Dawson, Sunil Gupta, Sunil Gupta (Tata Inst. of Fundamental Research (IN))
    • 15:45 15:57
      Comments from observers and any other business 12m
      • Comments
      Speakers: Sunil Gupta, Sunil Gupta (Tata Inst. of Fundamental Research (IN))
    • 15:57 16:12
      Review of meeting, resolutions proposed for GA and future procedures 15m

      An idea on how to advance regarding some "rejuvenating" issues that we have left behind so far (a survey for national physical societies to fill out).

      Speaker: Silvina Ponce Dawson
    • 16:12 16:15
      Close of EC&CC meeting 3m
      Speaker: Silvina Ponce Dawson
    • 16:15 16:30
      Tea and coffee break 15m ICTP

      ICTP

    • 16:30 17:00
      Executive Council Meeting [Michel Spiro's Zoom room] 30m
      • To consider decisions proposed by EC&CC meeting and resolve on them
      • To consider future actions and assign responsibility for them
      Speaker: Silvina Ponce Dawson