Library Guides: Physics: Professional Organizations

Organizations

A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) is a group that usually seeks to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals and organizations engaged in that profession, and the public interest. In the United States, such an association is typically a nonprofit business league for tax purposes. In the UK, they may take a variety of legal forms.

American Astronomical Society
The mission of the American Astronomical Society is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community.
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association with the goal of substantially increasing American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, First Nation and other indigenous peoples of North America representation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and other related disciplines.
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.