Leaders come together to gain new perspectives on cross-cutting topics, to learn from each other, and to collaborate to find innovative approaches to advance society missions and better serve the physical science community. Annual programming consists of thought-provoking speakers, insights from across the physical science enterprise, and collaborative discussions. Sessions are designed to address areas of mutual concern that would benefit from a broader dialog, to share best practices, and to support the work of participating organizations by gaining diverse community perspectives.
2026 AIP Annual Forum - Wednesday, March 25, 2026
American Center for Physics - 555 12th Street, NW; Washington, DC 20004
Morning Sessions
I. Transformation within the Physical Sciences, 9:30 am
University of Maryland Vice President, Chief Research Officer, and physicist Patrick O’Shea will discuss how the physical sciences has evolved and transformed in the United States. The presentation will give perspective on how shifts in federal funding, institutional support, and economic priorities are impacting universities, the scientific workforce, the research enterprise broadly, and national competitiveness. These changes will be put in the context of the history of the physical sciences and provide grounding for future discussions.
- Moderator:
Michael Moloney, Chief Executive Officer, AIP - Speaker:
Patrick O’Shea , Vice President, Chief Research Officer, University of Maryland
Moderated discussion and table discussions
II. Enabling Emerging Leaders in the Physical Sciences, 10:40 am
This panel discussion builds on the new AIP Research Report “Building Up the Next Generation of Scientific Society Leaders” on how early career scientists get connected with and build identity around society membership. Four panelists highlighted in the report will tell their stories and talk about actionable ways societies can engage this part of their community in society leadership and governance.
- Moderators:
Trevor Owens, Chief Research Officer, AIP
Anne Marie Porter, Assistant Director for Social Science Research, AIP - Speakers:
Trevor Jerome, Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Member, Engineer, Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division
Ari Jain, American Physical Society (APS) Member, Current PhD Student in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronomical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Katherine Burzynski, Science and Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processing (AVS) Member, Materials Engineer, Air Force Research Laboratory
Carlos Martinez, American Meteorological Society (AMS) Member, Senior Climate Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists
Moderated discussion and table discussions
III. Lunch and Poster Session, 12:15 pm
This poster session will highlight the key topics of the 2026 AIP Research Agenda where AIP will focus its research efforts to empower positive change in the physical sciences to prompt ideas on how your society can get involved or benefit from AIP efforts. Developed in partnership with AIP Member Societies, these projects address urgent challenges in science policy, workforce development, professional identity, and research infrastructure.
Afternoon Sessions
IV. Open Forum, 1:15 pm
Attendees will drive the content of the Annual Forum by suggesting topic areas for informal, “unconference” discussions with peers.
V. Real Applications of AI in Society Operations, 3:00 pm
Artificial Intelligence, in its various applications, is impacting the science enterprise already and brings both promise and risk. This session will focus on real world utilizations that demonstrate practical uses of artificial intelligence technologies for association operations.
- Moderator:
Thad Lurie, Senior Vice President of Digital & Technology, American Geophysical Union (AGU) - Speaker:
Jay Brodsky, Chief Information Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Moderated discussion and table discussions
VI. Networking Reception, 4:30 pm