When you’re an undergraduate student, there are few opportunities to travel to present your work. There are even fewer opportunities to attend a professional conference and network with like-minded people.

That’s why I am so excited about the 2019 Physics Congress, also known as PhysCon, which has been hosted since 1928 by you and your fellow Sigma Pi Sigma members. PhysCon is the only event of its kind in the United States that is tailored specifically to college students in the physical sciences. PhysCon 2019 will bring together more than 1,500 students of physics and astronomy, along with mentors, alumni, and renowned scientists, for a life-changing experience Nov. 14–16 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Attendees will hear from luminaries in physics and astronomy, go on tours of local research labs and facilities, engage in workshops, and have opportunities to present their research and outreach efforts. The entire event is planned with students in mind, and I see it as an incredibly empowering experience for them.

This will be my first PhysCon as CEO of the American Institute of Physics, and I could not be more enthusiastic about what we have planned. The theme for PhysCon 2019 is Making Waves and Breaking Boundaries, which is extremely apt for what we will offer in Providence. It is my goal that students who attend PhysCon will go back to their respective universities inspired to continue their studies and excited about the career paths open to them. I truly want them to make waves and continue breaking scientific boundaries.

If you’ve attended PhysCon in the past, you know how rewarding and inspiring the experience can be for students. I’m hoping that together we can make 2019 the best PhysCon yet.

But despite how excited we all are for PhysCon 2019, we know its success depends on the support of people like you. If you would like to support PhysCon 2019, consider donating your time or money. AIP has established the Congress Student Travel Fund, geared specifically toward supporting student travel to PhysCon. You can find more information at donate.aip.org.

We also will be looking for volunteers in the New England region to join us for our Lunch with the Scientists event on Friday, Nov. 15. If you would like to learn more about volunteering, please reach out to sigmapisigma [at] aip.org.
And if you are an employer or university representative who is looking for interns, employees, or graduate students, consider exhibiting at PhysCon. More information about exhibiting opportunities can be found on the PhysCon website, or you can email Vanessa Bridges at vbridges [at] aip.org.

I cannot wait to see you and all of the students in Providence, Rhode Island, for PhysCon 2019.