About the Committee

The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) was founded in 1922 to stimulate and facilitate international cooperation in physics, and the worldwide development of science. Many branches of physics are represented in the IUPAP International Commissions which are assigned specific tasks as defined in the mandates of each commission. Presently, there are nineteen specialized commissions, three affiliated commissions, and five working groups.

The U.S. Liaison Committee (USLC) for IUPAP fulfills the U.S. obligations to IUPAP. It promotes cooperative international studies that advance physics and optics, disseminates information about international scientific activities, recommends members of the U.S. delegation to IUPAP general assemblies, nominates and advises U.S. members of IUPAP commissions, recommends IUPAP sponsorship of international scientific meetings in the United States, and otherwise carries out duties of a liaison committee under the statutes of IUPAP.

IUPAP and the USLC/IUPAP recognize the need to adapt to the changing environment of physics and the scientific enterprise. To reflect the interests of the U.S. physics community and promote relevant activities worldwide, the USLC has reexamined its programs to better serve the U.S. community and interact more effectively with the Union. Through the active participation of the American Physical Society and the National Research Council Board on International Scientific Organizations, the USLC is positioned to carry out programs of international interest.