Statement on Public Engagement

The American Physical Society (APS) commends its members who engage with the public on matters related to physics. Such activities can take many forms. APS encourages its members to pursue public engagement activities, and to take advantage of APS resources in support of effective methods of public engagement across a wide range of platforms1. APS urges educational institutions, national laboratories, and companies that employ physicists to recognize the high value of public engagement when making hiring, assessment, promotion, and investment decisions.

Context

Effective public engagement with science supports the improved scientific literacy of the public, aids with the recruitment of the next generation of physicists, and helps diversify the scientific workforce. It also enhances the public’s relationship with science, scientists, and institutions performing scientific research and education. However, these important activities can be time-consuming and challenging. Public engagement endeavors are also inconsistently appraised when it comes to the hiring, performance assessment, and promotions of physicists. Given the relationship between the health of the field of physics and the public’s view of science, it is in the best interest of our field for successful public engagement to be encouraged, celebrated, and rewarded with pathways for participation available for both full-time communicators and also practicing scientists.