Editorial – Actions and reactions
Dear Readers,
Action Committees are established by the European Physical Society [EPS] Executive Committee to advise in specific areas and undertake the actual organisation of EPS actions.
Following the EPS Strategy Plan 2010+, the Executive Committee is now starting a discussion to renew and revive the Action Committees: proposing modifications, if appropriate, to their composition, remits, terms, modes of operation and internal organisation, etc.; as well as looking at areas where the EPS should consider creating new committees. In other words, “actions and reactions” concerning the current status of the Action Committees have been solicited within the newly elected Executive Committee.
The existing EPS Action Committees are as follows:
- the Conference Committee;
- the Equal Opportunities Committee (formerly the Gender Equality Committee);
- the European Integration Committee;
- the Forum Physics And Society;
- the Grants Committee;
- the Young Minds Committee.
More information on the current Action Committees can be found on the EPS website.
The initial review of the existing committees has already led to specific recommendations during the last Executive Committee meeting in June this year. It was agreed that, in general, all Action Committees should have the same operating principles. The members of the committees should be renewed regularly, and should report regularly to the Executive Committee and Council.
Furthermore, at least one member of the Action Committee (in principle the chairperson) should also be a member of the Executive Committee, to ensure better reporting and integration into EPS activities.
Three new Action Committees have already been proposed: an Awards Committee, an International Scientific Affairs Committee and a Membership Committee. The first would deal with EPS Fellowships, Honorary Memberships, the Gero Thomas Medal, the Edison Volta Prize, etc.; the second with scientific matters implying relations and joint actions between Europe (i.e. the 41 EPS Member Society countries) and countries from the rest of the world; and the third with the recruitment of EPS members: whether Individual Members, Associate Members (institutes or enterprises), or Member Societies.
An update on the Action Committees will be included on the agenda of the next Executive Committee meeting, which is to be held in October. A report on such will be presented at the 2013 Council.
Reader suggestions on this on-going review process are welcome.
Luisa Cifarelli
EPS President
