APS Task Force on Expanding International Engagement: Long-term Strategic Planning for APS International Activities

Expanding the Society’s international engagement has emerged as a major theme throughout the APS strategic planning efforts of the past several years.  Consequently, APS recently launched a "Task Force on Expanding International Engagement."  The Task Force members, appointed by APS CEO Dr. Kate Kirby, included 12 representatives from diverse communities of APS.  The Task Force worked for nearly 18 months to understand the interests, concerns and priorities of all APS stakeholders.  Its Report, Recommendations, and Implementation Plan were presented to the APS Council of Representatives in November 2018 and shared with APS members in January 2019.  The Task Force recommendations ranged from groundbreaking new initiatives to more moderate adjustments of the current directions.  Its over-arching recommendation however, was that APS deepen its international engagement across the full range of Society activities.  This was a transformational recommendation for APS, one that would affect all aspects of the Society, not just the programs under the direct purview of the APS Office of International Affairs.  The speaker will share the Task Force’s findings and recommendations and will discuss possible future plans for APS international engagement.