Affinity Group Conferences

Every spring, AISES College Chapters scattered across the U.S. and Canada hold seven regional conferences where participants champion each other in their respective academic and professional endeavors. Each chapter hosts unique workshops and sessions designed to generation enthusiasm for – and success – in STEM education and careers. These gatherings not only serve to furnish the latest information on chapter activities in region, they also highlight meetings, programs and events. Regional Conferences are the perfect venue to promote membership, provide information on scholarship and internship opportunities, meet interesting current and future leaders, and make new friends. Regional Conferences are typically held at college campuses, hosted by the school’s AISES Chapter. Many professional members participate as mentors and speakers, sharing their expertise and facilitating discussions in areas like engineering, environmental science, or on crossovers between traditional ecological knowledge and western science. 

The goal of APS CUWiP is to help undergraduate women continue in physics by providing them with the opportunity to experience a professional conference, information about graduate school and professions in physics, and access to other women in physics of all ages with whom they can share experiences, advice, and ideas. The national and local organizing committees of APS CUWiP strive to create a welcoming environment for all, including undergraduate women and gender minorities. 

The Inclusion in Science, learning a New Direction, Conference on Disability, (ISLAND) seeks to shift the societal paradigm and raise expectations as to what is possible in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for persons with disabilities. Symposium topics encompass factors that contribute to the under-representation of persons with disabilities in the STEM pipeline and strategies for their retention in this critical area of the 21st century economies and societies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

At ISLAND, we believe it is through education that we will reach the hearts and minds of the public as to what is possible for persons with disabilities, and remove barriers to access. ISLAND presentations intend to drive innovation in pedagogy and methodology, while informing and connecting a community of teachers and future educators to the latest technological interventions and exploring methodological innovations ranging from simple access solutions for learning in a more inclusive way to global alternative praxis. Multisensory and hands-on approaches are emphasized during this conference, to stimulate and promote more equitable and inclusive student learning experiences. 

The ISLAND conference, since its founding in 2010, continues to serve as a forum for conference attendees to meet, network, and collaborate to reshape the future of science access for students with disabilities. Originally organized and operated by scientists with disabilities who had a common mission to make the subject they loved more accessible and inclusive, ISLAND has grown to embrace a tapestry of non-disabled partners that have expressed a strong commitment for the full inclusion of persons with disabilities into the STEM professions. All individuals and organizations are welcome to participate at ISLAND. 

This event showcases the achievements of Latinx in the mathematical sciences. The goal is to encourage Latinx to pursue careers in the mathematical sciences, to promote the advancement of Latinx currently in the discipline, to showcase research being conducted by Latinx at the forefront of their fields, and, finally, to build a community around shared academic interests.

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the United States. NSBE, founded in 1975, supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate and pre-collegiate students and technical professionals in engineering and technology. With more than 600 chapters and more than 24,000 active members in the U.S. and abroad, NSBE pursues its mission, “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

The NSBP Conference is the largest academic meeting of minority physicists in the United States.  The goal of the conferenced is to provide  mentorship opportunities, increase participant access to recruiters, offer networking opportunities and inform the broader physics community on best practices that will be gleaned during and after the meeting.  The conference allows students to have close interactions with professional physicists and gain exposure to high-quality scientific researchers and presentations.  In addition to being the meeting that promotes the persistence of underrepresented physics students in the academic workforce pipeline, the conference hosts many high-level research talks, provides opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions; and allows students the opportunity for exposure to the scientific community. 

The 2024 NSBP Conference will consist of four days of educational sessions, exhibitions, interactive networking opportunities, a hybrid/virtual component, as well as student career fair and poster sessions on cutting edge issues related to current trends in physics, and science. It will be held jointly with the National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP).

The purpose of this society is to promote the professional well-being and recognize the accomplishments of Hispanic physicists within the scientific community of the United States and within society at large. The Society seeks to develop and support efforts to increase opportunities for Hispanics in physics and to increase the number of practicing Hispanic physicists, particularly by encouraging Hispanic students to enter a career in physics.

The 2024 NSHP Conference will be held jointly with the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP)

oSTEM is a space for LGBTQ+ students and professionals in STEM fields to share their experiences and learn from one another. We have programs ranging from safe spaces to talk about queer issues to discussing the latest in research conducted by our members. If you want a space where you can be your authentic LGBTQ+ self and your authentic STEM self, this is the conference for you.

The largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity conference in the country, SACNAS' premier conference is a gathering which serves to equip, empower, and energize participants for their academic and professional paths in STEM. Over the course of the event, college-level through professional attendees are immersed in cutting-edge STEM research, professional development sessions, motivational keynote speakers, and the Graduate School & Career Expo Hall, as well as multicultural celebrations and traditions, and an inclusive and welcoming community of peers, mentors, and role models. Simply put, the NDiSTEM Conference is a broadly inclusive space where you are encouraged and empowered to bring your whole self to STEM. 

With over 9,000 in attendance and growing, the SHPE National Convention is the largest gathering of Hispanics in STEM every year. The convention is made up of five distinct conferences and has something for everyone: Pre-College, Academic, SHPEtinas, SHPETech, and Professionals in STEM. Beyond the educational workshops there are competitions, networking events, and the popular Career Fair & Graduate School Expo.

WE24 is poised to be the premier global conference for women in the fields of engineering and technology. It aims to unite a wide array of female engineers, those aspiring to join the field, and supporters from around the world. The conference will feature sessions designed to inspire, showcase technological innovations, and provide valuable networking opportunities. Attendees can also expect insightful panel discussions led by leading experts, focusing on the latest trends and effective practices in the industry.