Institute of Physics
Overview
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of over 50,000 and is headquartered in the United Kingdom. The IOP supports physics in education, research and industry. In addition to this, its extensive outreach activities promote physics to the public.
History
The Institute of Physics was established in 1874 as the Physical Society of London. In 1920, the Society was granted a Royal Charter and became the Institute of Physics in 1960 when it merged with the British Institute of Physics. The IOP has a rich history of supporting the physics community and promoting the subject to a wider audience.
Structure and Governance
The Institute of Physics is governed by a Council which is responsible for the IOP's strategic direction. The Council is made up of the President, President-elect, Treasurer and 14 other members. The day-to-day operations of the IOP are managed by the Chief Executive Officer.
Membership
Membership of the Institute of Physics is open to all those who have an interest in physics. There are different categories of membership, including student, associate and fellow. Members can use the post-nominal letters MInstP or FInstP depending on their level of membership.
Activities
The Institute of Physics is involved in a wide range of activities to promote physics. These include:
- Publishing: The IOP publishes a range of scientific journals and magazines, such as Physics World and Journal of Physics.
- Education: The IOP supports physics education in schools, colleges and universities. It provides resources for teachers and runs events to inspire students.
- Policy: The IOP advises government and other policy makers on physics-related issues.
- Careers: The IOP provides advice and resources for those seeking to pursue a career in physics.
- Outreach: The IOP runs a variety of outreach activities to promote physics to the public.
Awards and Grants
The Institute of Physics awards a number of prizes to recognize and reward excellence in the field of physics. These include the Glazebrook Medal, the Maxwell Medal and the Newton Medal. The IOP also provides grants to support physics-related activities.