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What is CCUW*iP?
The annual Canadian Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CCUW*iP) is a national conference that gathers physics students and professionals from across the country. Delegates will be participating in plenary lectures, workshops, panels, networking activities, student talks, student poster sessions, and lab tours. This professional conference aims to create an environment where delegates can build networks, present research, and explore career paths, while also promoting diversity and raising awareness of the struggles women and gender minorities face in physics.
In 2026, the conference will be held from January 30-February 1 both online and in-person.
Application/Registration
Is there an age restriction for the conference?
Yes! You must be over 18 years old at the time of the conference to apply to CCUW*iP.
I don’t identify as a woman. Can I still attend this conference?
We welcome applications from all undergraduates with an interest in physics, but we will prioritize women and gender minorities (including two-spirit, transgender, gender-fluid, gender-queer, non-binary, etc.) if space is a limiting factor in who is accepted as a delegate.
Who can attend? Do I need to be a physics major to apply?
Any undergraduate student attending a Canadian university, college, or CEGEP may apply.
It is very important to complete all parts of the application and to write a thoughtful Applicant Statement. If conferences are oversubscribed, priority will be given to applicants who:
- Are undergraduate in physics, astronomy, astrophysics, engineering physics, or any other majors associated with physics
- Have never attended a CCUW*iP or APS CU*iP
There is no formal application or registration process for non-undergraduate students and interested faculty/mentors. We encourage you to email ccuwip@phas.ubc.ca for details about attendance and participation.
Are “application” and “registration” the same thing?
Initial registration begins through Wufoo, which should then direct you to a survey to complete your application.
If your application is successful, you will receive an invitation to register around mid-December to confirm your attendance. Please email ccuwip@phas.ubc.ca if you are no longer able to attend the conference.
How much does the conference cost?
The registration fee for in-person attendees at this conference will be $60 before tax, covering all events, accommodation (for those outside of Vancouver), planned meals at the conference, and merchandise. The registration fee for online delegates will be $30 before tax.
Many physics departments pay for their students to attend the conference. The Conference organizers are hoping that they will generate enough sponsorship for the conference that they will be able to set up a travel support fund. If such a fund is established, if you cannot afford the registration fee and your department/college is unable to help, you may request a fee waiver by submitting a statement attesting to your financial need and verifying that department or university funds are not available. Further details will be provided when you are invited to register for the conference. You must request a fee waiver at the time you apply for the conference or email us at ccuwip@phas.ubc.ca before the conference.
Eligibility
Do I need to have research to present in order to attend the conference?
No! While we encourage you to present a talk or a poster if you have been involved in research, you are welcome just to attend the conference and participate in the activities. Offering to present will not affect your chances of being selected to attend.
I attended last year; can I come to this year’s conference too?
The content of this year’s conference will not be exactly the same as last year’s, and you are welcome to apply to attend again. However, if more students apply than we can accommodate, preference will be given to students who have never attended a CCUW*iP.
I am a local student. Do I need to apply or register?
Yes, all attendees must apply by the deadline.
Can I attend the CCUW*iP if I’m from the US?
Yes, we encourage students from the United States to apply for the online option of the conference. Given the current state of U.S. politics and border control, we would not be good hosts if we invited attendees to take any form of risk during travel to our conference, whether it is passing through security, during border crossing, or at another point in travel or abroad.
We believe now more than ever we require community, and instead of joining in person, we hope that any students from the United States that wish to join our conference may do so safely and comfortably with our online option.
I’m a college/CEGEP student. Am I eligible to apply to CCUW*iP?
Yes, undergraduate students at any U.S. or Canadian college, university, or CEGEP may apply.
I’m a high school student/grad student/postdoc/faculty member. Am I eligible to apply to CCUW*iP?
Unfortunately, this conference is specifically for undergraduate students. If you are interested in attending similar conferences, there are the Women in Physics (WiPC), and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) conferences happening annually as well.
Only undergraduate students who will be over 18 at the time of the conference may apply to CCUW*iP.
Online Attendee Information:
What will the conference look like as an online attendee?
All our keynotes, panels, and workshops will be live-streamed. Please note that recordings will not be provided, as some sessions may cover sensitive or personal topics. This policy helps us ensure that the conference remains a safe space to engage openly and share their experiences. For the Grad/Industry Fair, we’ll have school and company representatives available online to connect with virtual attendees.
In addition, we are in the process of organizing events tailored to online delegates to provide opportunities to foster networking, community building, and meaningful interactions.
Will I still be able to give a virtual talk or poster?
Online delegates will only be able to give oral presentations. You can apply to present on the registration form.
Student Talks and Posters
What are the student poster presentations?
The student poster presentations give students the opportunity to practice their presentation skills in an accepting environment and to share their research. They also give all conference delegates the opportunity to learn more about the research in physics that the student presenters are involved in. We are encouraging anyone who is interested to submit an application!
How can I apply to present a talk or poster?
You can apply to present on the registration form.
What can I talk about in the student talks and poster session?
Usually the posters and talks are about the student’s research but we are open to other proposals. The talk does not need to be about research. If you have an interesting idea about women in physics, intersectionality, or any other topic appropriate for this conference, you can also present!
What do I need for my talk?
We will ask all presenters to submit their presentations prior to the presentation day.
For in-person presenters: Please arrive at your presentation room at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the session and be ready to start your presentation when called upon.
For online presenters: Once you receive the virtual conference link information, you are asked to connect to make sure that your system is compatible and you have downloaded all required software prior to the event. All speakers should plan to connect to the conference at least 15 minutes prior to the start of their session to verify that the connection is working and that they are ready to start your presentation when called upon.
Can I do both an oral presentation and poster presentation?
It is possible for in-person presenters to do both an oral and poster presentation. If a student would like to present on the same topic for both the poster presentation and oral presentation, select both oral and poster presentation on the form. If a student would like to present on a different topic for the poster presentation and oral presentation, select both oral and poster presentation on the form, you will need to submit the form twice for each topic in that case. The application form has a prompt for a second presentation. We will do our best to accommodate as many presentations as we can, but we will prioritize one per student before allowing a second one.
We apologize that we only offer oral presentations for online presenters.
Will there be prizes for the student talks and posters?
Yes!
How will the student talks and poster be marked?
We will be marking on presentation skills, organization of slides and posters, clarity and the research. We will release the rubric closer to the deadline!
Who will be marking the talks and posters?
We will have a team of graduate students or faculty marking the posters and talks.
Grad and Industry Fair
What is the Grad/Industry Fair?
The grad and industry fair is an event that allows attendees and recruiters from schools and companies to interact. If you are interested in attending Grad school or applying for a job at a physics related job this is the place for you!
Should I attend the fair even if I won’t be graduating soon or I don’t plan on applying for grad school?
Yes! The grad/industry fair is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the possibility of physics and physics related fields. It also allows you the chance to talk to recruiters about their experiences.
Miscellaneous
What should I wear to the conference?
This is an official physics event, we encourage all participants to dress comfortably and be suitably attired, particularly if you will be a presenter.
Will there be resources available for attendees with disabilities?
We will request information on disability status on the registration form. Please contact us in advance if you have special requirements, and we will work to accommodate you.
Will there be resources available for religious practices?
Anyone attending the conference who will be presenting should let the organizers know if there will be times that should be avoided as they plan the schedule of talks.
What are the guidelines for posters and talks?
Please see our Presentation Guidelines page for more information. It will be updated regularly.
Can I connect with those going to the conference before arriving?
Yes, check us out on Instagram @ccuwip2026.
I have concerns about my participation in the conference due to my physical and/or mental health reasons. What should I do?
For the conference, if you are concerned about any aspect of participation in the event, if you feel comfortable doing so, we invite you to contact the organizing group at ccuwip@phas.ubc.ca to make them aware of your concerns so that they can look at ways in which to make your participation as comfortable and rewarding as possible.
Are the buildings this conference is hosted in accessible?
Yes! Both the Hennings and Hebb buildings, where the main lectures, panels, and workshops will be held, are wheelchair accessible. More information about other locations will be updated here as soon as we finalize the room bookings.