Current time at conference location:
Monday, January 5, 2026 | 10:00 AM MT - 11:30 AM MT
Session Title
How to Create and Advocate for Departmental Change with the EP3 Guide
Session Type
Special Session
Building/Room
Phoenix Convention Center, 232 A
Session Chair
Christine O'Donnell
Summary
In this session, we will introduce participants to the Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) Guide, a resource developed by the APS and AAPT to curate recommendations that astronomy, astrophysics, and physics programs can adapt to meet their local needs and contexts. The Guide (https://ep3guide.org/) includes 34 published sections with evidence-based practices that cover topics such as career preparation, research-based teaching practices, community engagement and outreach, departmental culture and climate, and leadership skills. Content on the EP3 Guide website is developed using a thorough contribution, synthesis, and peer review process; to date, over 250 people from over 100 institutions have participated in developing the EP3 Guide. This initiative also includes a process through which existing content is reviewed and updated along with the development of new content.

Much of the EP3 Guide content can be used by individuals within and outside the physics and astronomy community to either improve their own practices and/or advocate for change in their programs, and we will share several examples during the session. After an introduction to the EP3 Guide, we will lead participants through three scenarios for using the Guide to support local change efforts. These scenarios will explore different topics, including how to implement active learning, provide students with information and opportunities to learn about diverse career options, and advance inclusion and belonging. We will also reflect on how different roles and positionalities, such as being a student, early-career faculty member, or department leader, impact what actions someone might take with the EP3 Guide. Participants will have structured opportunities to explore a topic of interest in the EP3 Guide and determine / discuss what their next steps will be to enact change. Finally, we will also consider what resources, data, etc. can help participants determine how to adapt EP3 Guide content recommendations to their local contexts to create sustainable change.

Presentations