In this News Bulletin, you will find updates on the following:
- President’s Message
- Membership Update
- Annual General Meeting – Information and Date
- Student Advisory Council
- Women+ in Physics Canada (WIPC+) Conference 2027 – Call for Proposals
- 2026 Lecture Tour – Summary
- Physics in Canada
- CAP-NSERC Liaison Committee Update
- Science Policy and Advocacy
- 2026 CAP Congress in Ottawa June 22-26
- Important Upcoming Dates and Events
President’s message
As the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology draws to a close we are reminded of the importance of physics in our daily lives. We think of well-established technologies such as GPS, whose accuracy relies heavily on a theory as fundamental as general relativity, the role of physics and physicists in the emergence of the web, artificial intelligence, and our new means of communication, and the eventual arrival of new technologies based on quantum materials such as high-temperature superconductors. We are currently experiencing a period of transition and societal change in Canada and around the world that affects us all. In these uncertain times, I invite you to get involved with the Canadian Association of Physicists, which plays a key role in promoting our discipline and defending your interests as physicists, and which is itself in a period of transition as it implements its new strategic plan. Encourage your colleagues to become members of the CAP and participate in our governing bodies and committees. I also invite you to attend our next Annual Congress, which will be held in Ottawa from June 21 to 26, 2026, organized by the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
All the best,
Pierre Bénard, CAP President
Membership update
Led by p
hysicists, for physicists, the CAP is the voice of physics and physics research in Canada. Make the CAP the home base for your physics career. In addition to the many benefits of participating in our vibrant inclusive community that has championed physics in Canada since 1945, CAP members are eligible for reduced registration fees at the 2026 CAP Congress. If your CAP membership has lapsed, renew today by contacting membership@cap.ca.
Annual General Meeting
Mark your calendars! The 2026 AGM of the CAP will be held May 27th 12:30-14:00 ET by Zoom. The AGM will include election of members of the Executive and the Board. Information about candidates will be posted on the CAP website, www.cap.ca.
Student Advisory Council Update
The Student Advisory Council (SAC) continues to work on initiatives and events that support and connect physics students across Canada. A full list of current SAC members can be found at: https://sac.cap.ca/.
SAC is currently seeking an Indigenous Student Representative and a CAP Undergraduate Student Representative, who would serve as the undergraduate voice within the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP).
Students interested in either role are encouraged to apply at https://sac.cap.ca/about/sac-member-application/ or contact SAC at sac@cap.ca for more information.
CAP Congress Student Events
The SAC will be hosting several student-focused events during CAP Congress (June 22–26) at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. Planned activities currently include a Student Icebreaker Event and a Student Open Forum, with additional details to be announced closer to the conference.
Physics Hour Seminar Series
SAC is also organizing a new installment of the Physics Hour Seminar Series, which will highlight research across a range of physics subfields and provide students with the opportunity to learn about ongoing work from researchers across the community. Further information and a tentative schedule of talks will be released soon.
Women+ in Physics Canada (WIPC+) 2027 | Call for Expressions of Interest
Women+ in Physics Canada (WIPC+) is a national conference aimed primarily at (but not restricted to) graduate students in physics, astrophysics and related fields. Held biennially, the format of the conference consists of student presentations, keynote lectures, panel discussions and opportunities for interaction. WIPC is first and foremost a scientific conference, in which early career scientists have the opportunity to present their work and to hear plenary talks from leaders in the field. Its intent is also to provide support to a diversity of early career researchers, especially those from groups underrepresented in Physics. The conference provides participants with the opportunity to network, to facilitate the sharing of experiences, ideas and advice. WIPC aims to foster a sense of community and belonging among a diversity of participants, while showcasing research by early career physicists. The conference is generally held in the summer period and regularly attracts over 100 participants.
We are seeking proposals for WIPC+ 2027, 2029 and beyond. Interested groups or individuals should submit a proposal no later than May 15, 2026. Optionally, interested parties can contact the WIPC steering committee ahead of the deadline to discuss any aspect of the conference. The steering committee is happy to discuss potential sources of external funding.
For more information, check here: https://cap.ca/congress-conference/women-in-physics-conference/
2026 CAP Lecture Tour
The annual CAP Lecture Tour took place in February and March. Eleven speakers darted across the country, giving over 20 talks to undergraduate physics students on topics ranging from the hydrogen economy to quantum gravity to life’s molecular machines. We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our speakers, our hosts, and to everyone involved in organizing another successful lecture tour. Recordings will be posted on the CAP YouTube channel, CAPhys.
Physics in Canada
Vol 81(2), a special theme issue celebrating the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) has been posted. It is a rich issue focusing on the exciting work happening in Quantum Physics-related fields across Canada. The guest editors were John Donohue (IQC), Ben Newling (UNB), and Julien Ross (Dalhousie). In addition to scientific review articles, it features Opinion articles, Education articles, a Yearbook of Quantum related activities across Canada, the results of two competitions, and a quantum cryptic crossword.
The first issue of 2026, 82(1), will be a special theme issue on Physics, Climate and the Environment. Guest editors are Pierre Bénard (UQTR), Jake Breen (MUN), and Kris Poduska (MUN).
The second issue of 2026, 82(2), will contain material related to the 2026 Congress, articles submitted by our community, and community updates. The submission deadline for this issue is July 31. We welcome submissions of feature articles, interviews, and physics education articles that inform and educate.
The topic of the special theme issue for 2027, 83(1) will be Physics: From Science to Technology. Ideas for this issue are welcome, as are suggestions for theme issues for future years.
You are also invited to submit photographs of beautiful or unusual physics phenomena that may be selected to appear on the cover of Physics in Canada. Please send ideas, submissions, and possible cover images to the Editor-in-Chief of Physics in Canada, Béla Joós, at pic-pac@cap.ca. For more information on submissions and the call for cover art, check out the Physics in Canada section of the CAP website.
CAP-NSERC Liaison Committee Update
The CAP-NSERC LC met in the fall and we aim to have the meeting minutes posted on our updated website soon. We look forward to NSERC’s presentations at the Congress in June.
Science Policy and Advocacy Update
CAPS past-chair Chanele Polenz, Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, CCR Chair Karine Morin, and CAP representative, James Fraser, Director of Science Policy and Advocacy (March 24, 2026 – West Block, Parliament Hill)
James Fraser, Director of Science Policy and Advocacy, has participated in several meetings with MPs as part of lobbying efforts. These meetings have been facilitated by collaboration with the Canadian Consortium for Research (CCR).
Join the Science Policy session at Congress, Tuesday June 23 to discuss these meetings and other activities, as well as priorities and strategies for the upcoming year.
2026 CAP Annual Congress – June 22-26 in Ottawa ON
Planning continues for the 2026 CAP Congress.
Over 540 abstracts have been submitted, including 226 submitted to the student oral and poster competitions and more than 60 submitted by invited speakers. The review of abstracts and notification to speakers is almost complete. Registration will be opening mid-April.
Nine symposia will be offered at Congress across a number of physics areas including private sector physics, imaging of the retina of the eye, quantum simulation and materials, big data in materials and beyond, future particle physics energy frontier facilities, fusion energy, EDI in physics training, AI in radiotherapy, and quantum science, technology, education and training.
We are planning a special panel discussion on Nuclear Arms Threat Reduction. Confirmed speakers include: Talia Weiss, Ph.D. student, Yale University (creator of the Yale Kimball Smith Series), Igor Morić, Princeton University (Program on Science and Global Security).
Three special workshops are being planned for Congress: 1) a student workshop on communication and presentation skills (from CAP SAC, DPE and DGEP), 2) a physics-focused workshop on vacuum technology used in research and applied laboratories (from Pfeiffer Canada) and 3) a workshop on open access publishing and related topics (from Canadian Journal of Physics).
See you in Ottawa!
Please bookmark the 2026 CAP Congress website!
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
- May 11: Deadline for early registration for CAP Congress 2026
- May 15: Proposal deadline for WIPC+ 2027
- May 23-May 30: Canada Wide Science Fair
https://cwsf-espc.ca/ - May 27: CAP Annual General Meeting will be held on Zoom
- June 22-26: CAP Annual Congress
https://cap.ca/congress-conference/congress2026/ - June 30 – nominations for High School/CEGEP Teacher Awards are due https://cap.ca/programs/recognitions/high-school-cegep-physics-teachers/
- October 22 – 25: CUPC 2026 will be hosted by McMaster University https://cap.ca/congress-conference/cupc/
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