APS Thriving Departments Symposium
Sharing challenges and forging paths to build thriving physics departments
The APS Thriving Departments Symposium (TDS) will bring together members of the physics community for an impactful gathering to tackle shared challenges, focused on community building, knowledge sharing, actionable insights, and innovative strategies.
At the University of Chicago, from June 11-13, 2025, invited attendees will:
- Build community and connections: Network with leaders across the physics education community to foster collaboration and shared growth
- Gain insights and share knowledge: Discover practical solutions to common challenges
- Collaborate openly: Engage in dynamic discussions to exchange innovative ideas and proven practices for lasting impact
- Lead change: Access professional development tailored to departmental change leaders
- Celebrate impact and be inspired: Receive support and recognition for your work as a change agent or volunteer leader
The topics discussed at the symposium will drive significant changes in undergraduate and graduate education within physics departments. Department change leaders will be equipped with the strategies to enhance and advance their curriculum and cultures to reflect the needs of the students they serve as well as the broader needs of the global physics community. The strategies participants gain will impact thousands of students as departmental changes are implemented.
Departmental change leaders from across the physics education community will be in attendance, including:
- Physics department chairs and Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) leaders
- Physics graduate education directors and APS Bridge Program faculty
- APS-IDEA network members
This symposium, organized in partnership with the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), will replace the Physics Department Chairs conference as well as the Fourth Conference on Physics Graduate Education, two previously standalone conferences.
Registration and covered costs
Registration is now open. Invited participants received an email with a registration link in early March. Please check your inbox to complete your registration.
How to register for the TDS
- Create APS Account
Create a free APS account to register for the meeting. If you already have an APS account, proceed to Step 2.
- Ensure profile is updated
Ensure your profile is updated with your correct email address, affiliation, education details, etc.
- Register
Register for the meeting by clicking the registration link in your invitation email.
- Contact us
Contact the registration team if you have any registration questions.
In-person registration
- Undergraduate - Member: $100, Non-member: $150
- Graduate - Member: $100, Non-member: $100
- Early Career - Member: $300, Non-member: $400
- Senior/Retired - Member: $300, Non-member: $400
- Regular - Member: $300, Non-member: $400
Virtual-only registration
- APS member: $20
- Non-member: $25
Virtual registration provides access to the 90-minute Opening & Closing Plenary Sessions:
- Opening Plenary: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 5:00–6:30 PM CDT
- Closing Plenary: Friday, June 13, 2025, 3:00–4:00 PM CDT
Covered costs
The conference will provide the following meals and refreshments:
- Day 1: Dinner
- Days 2 and 3: Breakfast, lunch, and snacks
Lodging is not included in the registration fee and must be covered by participants.
Conference logistics and travel information
Agenda
The symposium schedule includes three strands to choose from for (1) department chairs, (2) graduate education leaders, and (3) APS-IDEA network members. Each strand offers focused discussions, while the plenary sessions bring all participants together to learn from the collective experience. Each day has dedicated time for networking and socializing to provide opportunities to connect and collaborate.