Undergraduate physicists from across Canada gathered at the University of British Columbia (UBC) for the 13th annual Canadian Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CCUW*iP 2026) from January 30 to February 1. The conference aimed to create an inclusive space, recognizing and honoring women and gender minorities who have historically been excluded from physics.
Co-chair Airene Ahuja, a third-year student in combined honors physics and computer science, emphasized the importance of bringing CCUW*iP to the West Coast, as previous conferences have been held in Ontario or Quebec. The organizing team began preparations soon after returning from the 2025 conference.
The event featured numerous workshops, including a session on quantum computing with Fiona Thompson from the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. Other workshops focused on postgraduate pathways and scientific communication. Attendees also toured UBC's TRIUMF building, where they learned about Canada's particle accelerator infrastructure, and visited the Quantum Matter Institute (QMI), gaining insights into superconductivity and quantum materials research.
The conference highlighted the contributions of UBC's physics laboratories to Canadian and international large-scale experiments, research, and discoveries. For instance, in 2020, UBC CHIME researchers made a groundbreaking discovery by finding a fast radio burst in the Milky Way.
Opening remarks took place in the Hebb Building, with Francine Ford, executive director of the Canadian Association of Physicists, introducing the event and emphasizing its inclusivity, not just for undergraduate women but for all underrepresented groups within physics and related majors, who are the future of the field.
An inspiring session titled 'Thriving Beyond Resiliency' addressed impostor syndrome and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Dr. Adele Ruosi, a science education specialist and co-chair of the UBC physics department's Equity & Inclusion Committee, discussed the harmful impact of using 'resilience' to praise minorities in challenging environments. She proposed 'persistence' as a more empowering term, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself and actively pursuing goals.
The conference also featured lectures by esteemed scientists, including Dr. Stephanie Simmons, Dr. Nancy Forde, Dr. Sabrina Pasterski, Dr. Allison Man, and Dr. Gwen Grinyer, who presented on various topics ranging from quantum computing to celestial holography and rare isotopes.
A key aspect of the conference was the student research session, showcasing over 80 projects from students across Canada. Topics covered a wide range of fields, from astro- and particle physics to medical physics, with projects on targeted cancer therapies, fMRI signals, and mouse neurons.
Kaylee Bains, vice-chair of external relations and a fourth-year physics student, shared her personal experience of feeling out of place in physics spaces. Attending CCUW*iP helped her realize that she was not alone and that a sense of community could be built within the physics program.
The conference concluded with a dinner banquet and a social event, providing delegates with opportunities to unwind and connect. Co-chair Jenny Zhu expressed hope that the conference had initiated or advanced conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion, and encouraged attendees to take the dialogue back to their universities and initiate similar discussions.
