A bold step towards inclusivity: The 13th Canadian Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CCUW*iP) took place at UBC, creating a space that celebrated diversity in the field.
For Airene Ahuja, a third-year student and co-chair, the conference was about honoring those who have historically been excluded from physics. Having attended the previous year, she found it incredibly inspiring.
Jenny Zhu, another co-chair and a fifth-year physics student, highlighted the need for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) conversations within the department. While Ahuja agreed, she emphasized the importance of celebrating achievements rather than solely focusing on EDI.
The organizing team's dedication was evident as they began preparations soon after returning from the 2025 conference. Ahuja stressed the significance of bringing CCUW*iP to the West Coast, as it typically takes place in Ontario or Quebec.
The event featured numerous workshops, including a session on quantum computing and panels discussing postgraduate pathways and scientific communication. Attendees also toured TRIUMF and the Quantum Matter Institute, gaining insights into UBC's contributions to large-scale experiments and research.
Opening remarks were delivered in the Hebb Building, where Francine Ford, executive director of the Canadian Association of Physicists, emphasized that the conference was for all underrepresented groups in physics, as they are the future of the field.
Ashley Nicole Warner, an experimental physicist from D-Wave, shared her non-traditional journey into quantum computing, reinforcing the conference's commitment to diverse experiences.
The first day featured two lectures: Dr. Stephanie Simmons discussed reliable and scalable quantum computing technologies, while Dr. Nancy Forde focused on biophysics and nanoscale protein research using laser tweezers.
Day two took attendees into the galaxies, with renowned Dr. Sabrina Pasterski delivering a talk on celestial holography. UBC's Dr. Allison Man and Dr. Gwen Grinyer from the University of Regina presented on cosmic time, star formation, and rare isotope research, respectively.
The student research session on Saturday showcased over 80 projects, covering a wide range of topics from astrophysics to medical physics. Kaylee Bains, vice-chair of external relations, emphasized the conference's community-building focus, which was especially meaningful for students who felt out of place in physics.
Sunday's lectures highlighted physics' diverse applications beyond pure theory. UBC's Dr. Lindsey Heagy spoke about geophysics and machine learning, while Dr. Magdalena Bazalova-Carter from UVic discussed medical physics research. Dr. Ingrid Stairs concluded the day with a talk on pulsars and fast radio bursts.
An interactive session on impostor syndrome and EDI, titled "Thriving Beyond Resiliency," featured Dr. Adele Ruosi, who challenged the use of the word "resilience" to describe minorities' experiences in hostile environments. She suggested "persistence" as a more appropriate term, emphasizing the importance of intention and agency.
In their closing remarks, the co-chairs encouraged delegates to consider hosting CCUW*iP at their universities, hoping to continue the dialogue on EDI and community-building.
This conference was a powerful initiative, bringing together undergraduate physicists to celebrate diversity and create an inclusive space. It's a step towards a more equitable future for physics, and we can't wait to see the impact it will have on future generations of physicists.
