LibGuides: Physics Research Guide: Physics Organizations, Institutes, and Societies

Physics Organizations and Societies, A-Z

Learned societies and disciplinary organizations are a vital part of the functioning of any field, and physics is no exception. The organizations below provide many services to their members, including conferences, publications, and opportunities for service to the profession. Most offer discounted or even free student memberships! Take a look at some of the biggest names below.

American Astronomical Society
AAS is the largest and most notable organization for professional astronomers in North America, and includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, and other scientists interested in space sciences. The organization supports conferences, publishes journals, and provides educational opportunities to its members.
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
AISES is a national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.
American Institute of Physics
The American Institute of Physics is a federation of 10 “Member Societies” (such as the American Physical Society) devoted to supporting the physical sciences enterprise. AIP promotes science and the profession of physics, publishes physics journals, and produces publications for scientific and engineering societies.
American Physical Society
The American Physical Society (APS) is a not-for-profit membership organization of professionals in physics and related disciplines. Its stated mission is the advancement and diffusion of knowledge of physics. The society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the prestigious Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than twenty science meetings each year. APS is a member society of the American Institute of Physics.
Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a UK-based learned society and professional body that works to advance physics education, research and application. The IOP provides services to its members including careers advice and professional development and grants the professional qualification of Chartered Physicist (CPhys), and Chartered Engineer (CEng) as a nominated body of the Engineering Council. The IOP's publishing company, IOP Publishing, publishes 85 academic titles.
International Astronomical Union
IAU's mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. They support extensive working groups and publish journals and other field information.
National Society of Black Physicists
The mission of the National Society of Black Physicists is to promote the professional well-being of Black physicists and physics students within the international scientific community and within society at large. The society also seeks to raise the general knowledge and appreciation of physics in the Black community.
National Society of Hispanic Physicists
NSHP works to promote and support Hispanic and Latino physicists in the profession, and to encourage young people to join the profession. The organization provides a forum for the community and an opportunity to engage with the wider profession on issues of concern.
Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
SASE is dedicated to the advancement of Asian heritage scientists and engineers in education and employment so that they can achieve their full career potential. In addition to professional development, SASE also encourages members to contribute to the enhancement of the communities in which they live.
Society of Physics Students
An organization of the American Institute of Physics, SPS is specifically for undergraduate and graduate students of physics, and offers numerous programs, resources, and even awards for its members.