Forum on Outreach and Engaging the Public Fellowship
Fellowship in the American Physical Society is a great honor. In accordance with the APS Constitution, "there shall be elected to Fellowship only such Members who have contributed to the advancement of physics by independent, original research or who have rendered some other special service to the cause of the sciences." All APS members are invited to nominate deserving colleagues as potential Fellows of APS.
Rules and eligibility
Nominating a colleague for APS Fellowship is a way to commend them for excellence in physics and their service to the physics community.
To nominate a colleague for APS Fellowship, you and the additional nominating co-sponsor must be active APS members. The colleague you nominate must also be an active APS member.
Process and selection
To nominate a colleague for APS Fellowship, please include the following:
- The nominee's name
- The co-sponsor's name, and email address
- A 300 character suggested citation that does not include the nominee's name, gendered pronouns, or symbols, and begins with, "For..."
- A 2,500 character paragraph expanding on the citation to indicate the originality and significance of the contributions
- A PDF sponsor's recommendation letter
- The co-sponsor's recommendation letter, which must be uploaded by the co-sponsor
- The nominee's curriculum vitae (CV), which must include academic and employment history, professional honors, a list of principal publications only, and other significant contributions to physics
- Optional: Up to two additional PDF letters of support, which must be uploaded by the letter writers
Selection Committee
- Howard Matis
- Rebecca Thompson
- Tim Murphy
- Brean Prefontaine
- Bellave Shivaram
Recent recipients
Muhammad Sabieh Anwar
2026 recipient
For creating an enduring, annual science festival in Pakistan that brings the delight of physics to a vast number of people and encourages many young students into careers in science, and for developing laboratory courses, software, and equipment for teaching physics with minimal resources.
Matt O'Dowd
2026 recipient
For years of influential science education using visual media — including documentaries, online videos, and podcasts — especially as the writer and host of the YouTube channel PBS Spacetime.
Roberto Ramos
2026 recipient
For developing and sustaining an exemplary hands-on physics education program for middle schoolers, which has deeply impacted communities and inspired young women to pursue science.
Michelle Randall
2026 recipient
For cultivating artists and teachers as peer advocates to carry quantum science into culture and classrooms — reaching over half of all Korean middle schools — and for leadership in incorporating public engagement into the profession of physics.
Bronson Messer
2025 recipient
For conveying the excitement and universal impact of physics to students, teachers, professionals, and the public via talks, multimedia, laboratory tours, popular national events, and for direct outreach to underserved Appalachian students and teachers.
APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.
Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Standards. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.
Forum on Outreach and Engaging the Public Fellowship
Related
Prepare your nomination materials and review the submission process to recognize your colleagues and students.
Prepare your Fellowship nomination materials and review the submission process.
As approved by the Council of Representatives on April 10, 2025.
APS honors exceptional contributions to the physics community, including travel support for students and early career physicists.