Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee (EC) advises APS leadership and staff on activities, processes, and procedures to support ethical behavior throughout the APS community. This includes developing and recommending procedures for dealing with misconduct and revisions to APS ethics policies as needed. It compiles information on ethics practices and provides reports to APS membership, Board of Directors, and Council of Representatives, as appropriate.

The membership of the EC includes the Past Chair of the Panel on Public Affairs (POPA), one (1) representative from each of the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP), the Committee on Scientific Publications (CSP), the Committee on Minorities in Physics (COM), and the Committee on Education (COE). These representatives are recommended by the respective committee Chairs in consultation with committee members, and they are appointed by the President-Elect as voting members to staggered three (3) year terms. Six (6) additional voting members are nominated by the Board and appointed by the President-Elect to staggered three (3) year terms. At least one member is an early career scientist.

The President-Elect appoints one of the current members to serve as Vice Chair, after consulting with the current committee members. The Vice Chair serves a one (1) year term, followed subsequently by a one (1) year term as Chair, and then a one (1) year term as Past Chair. The Vice Chair’s committee membership term is automatically extended to cover their service in the Chair line.

The EC is an advisory Board Committee.