Physics Identity Program
Sponsored by the Mossman Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professorship.
Help undergraduate students build their physics identity through targeted programming.
Background
Clare Boothe Luce’s (CBL) legacy lives through creating programs that “encourage women to enter, study, graduate, and teach” in STEM fields [Clare Boothe Luce Program: Program Aims]. One of the most important steps to encouraging more people of color and women to enter into and stay in physics is to build up a supportive community and have programs that facilitate building a “physics identity” [To read more about this, check out the TEAM-UP Report from the AIP].
A “Physics Identity” is defined as an individual’s capacity to consider themselves as a physicist. For many people who enter into physics, this can be difficult to achieve due to the demographics of physics departments, opportunities presented to students in terms of professional development, hands-on research, and scientific conference activities [Hyater-Adams et al. 2018]. With this in consideration, the University of San Diego Department of Physics and Biophysics has developed an umbrella program geared towards helping build a strong community of physics and biophysics majors. This program encourages and provides opportunities for students to build their physics identity through professional development interactive events, networking opportunities with professionals in physics and biophysics, social physics book club discussions, coffee hours, and outreach efforts.
Access to Academic Resources for Success
Professional Development, e.g. applying for scholarships, finding a graduate school, resume building, elevator pitch practice, etc.
Active networking Events, e.g. professional panels with after-panel networking, Speaker Series
Industry Mentorship Program
Easy communication avenues for majors and minors in the Department
Building Positive Relationships
Social Events with SPS, e.g. movie/trivia nights, powerpoint parties, physics olympiad
Peer-Pal Program
Coffee and Quantum
Popular Physics Book Club
Developing a Sense of Belonging
Outreach with SPS
Human Side of Science Speaker Series
Possible funding for conference travel
Impact
Since starting this program in Spring 2021, 36 students have been supported and have participated in this program.
As part of this program, students must participate in one of our mentorship opportunities as well as engage with in department-led programming for a minimum of 10 hours during the semester.
This program also provides up to $500 of conference funding to participating students that can be used for travel, conference fees, and lodging costs.
This program also funds registration and travel costs for USD students to attend the regional APS CU*iP meeting each January.