FUTURE

The goal of FUTURE is to support the ambitions of aspiring young women in physics, who will go on to become part of a diverse generation of scientific leaders.

*We use an inclusive definition of “woman” and “female” and welcome trans women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people

NOMINATIONS and ELIGIBILITY

We will accept nominations for FUTURE 2020 in early July 2020. Additional details and a link to the nomination form are available here.

FUTURE 2020 will be held online on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, from 1 pm to 5:15 pm (PST). This year’s online/virtual conference will provide an introduction to life as a Caltech graduate student. Programming includes short science talks and “day in a life” discussions from current students, panels with current students and faculty covering topics ranging from challenges, research topics, building community, the application process, and more. There will also be an opportunity for questions and additional discussion in each session.

We welcome you to nominate your top rising Junior or Senior Undergraduate Women* (and/or Women* who are interested in pursuing a Physics PhD in the next 1-2 years) to participate in a one-day online/virtual event. Rising juniors should have an interest in pursuing a PhD in physics and motivation to learn more about graduate education and opportunities. Rising seniors should be planning to apply to graduate school in the Fall of 2020 and have a demonstrated interest in physics research. We prefer nominations from faculty but will also fully consider non-faculty and self-nominations. We are committed to building an inclusive cohort that recognizes and celebrates the diversity of students’ intersectional identities and experiences, and strongly encourage nominations of women of color and those historically underrepresented in physics.

There is no fee for participating in FUTURE 2020.

Nominations must be submitted by August 20, 2020.

ABOUT FUTURE 2020

FUTURE 2020 will be our third cohort and our first virtual conference. Caltech hosted 33 undergraduate students November 1-2, 2018 and 41 undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students October 14-15, 2019 for an incredible two days of networking and learning. FUTURE, held on campus, is a two day, all-expenses-paid event supported by Caltech, the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, and the Heising-Simons Foundation. Participants have an opportunity to engage in intimate big science discussions with Caltech faculty, attend panel discussions on topical research areas as well as on graduate student life, and receive personalized guidance on how to navigate the graduate school application process through mini-workshops.

FUTURE FAQs

Who can nominate Women* for FUTURE?

We prefer nominations from a faculty member, but will fully consider nominations from a mentor, advisor, postdoctoral scholar who has worked with the nominee.

Do you accept self-nominations?

Yes. We prefer nominations from a faculty member but will fully consider self-nominations.

Can post-baccalaureate students be nominated?

Yes. We encourage nominations of Women* who are interested in pursuing a Physics PhD in the next 1-2 years. This includes rising Junior or Senior Undergraduate Women* and post-baccalaureate students.

When is FUTURE 2020?

The virtual program will be held online on Tuesday, September 15 1:00 pm to 5:15 pm (PST).

If I attend FUTURE 2020, can I still be nominated to participate in FUTURE next year?

Yes. If you attend this year’s virtual program you are still eligible for nomination next year.

MATERIALS and RESOURCES

Several of the most popular workshops during FUTURE are those related to preparing applications for graduate school and fellowships. Go to the Resources page for materials used during these workshops, along with additional information.

Resources