FHP 2020 Essay Contest Announcement

The Forum on the History of Physics (FHP) of the American Physical Society is proud to announce the 2020 History of Physics Essay Contest.

The contest is designed to promote interest in the history of physics among those not, or not yet, professionally engaged in the subject. Entries can address the work of individual physicists, teams of physicists, physics discoveries, or other appropriate topics. Entries should not exceed 2,500 words, including notes and references. Entries should be both scholarly and generally accessible to scientists and historians.

The contest is intended for undergraduate and graduate students, but is open to anyone without a PhD in either physics or history. Entries with multiple authors will not be accepted. Entries will be judged on originality, clarity, and potential to contribute to the field. Previously published work, or excerpts thereof, will not be accepted. The winning essay will be published as a Back Page in APS News and its author will receive a cash award of $1,000, plus support for travel to an APS annual meeting to deliver a talk based on the essay. The judges may also designate one or more runners-up, with a cash award of $500 each.

Entries will be judged by members of the FHP Executive Committee and are due by September 1, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time. They should be submitted, as Word documents or PDFs, by emailing fhp@aps.org with “Essay Contest” in the subject line. Entrants should supply their names, institutional affiliations (if any), mail and email addresses, and phone numbers. Winners will be announced by October 1, 2020.

Past contest winners and their essays can be found at: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.aps.org%2funits%2ffhp%2fessay%2findex.cfm.&c=E,1,i7MQ6TQ58cSShG0hPIXw-34LxJVX2VFmZrjUamH1exRkjG9FaSN81M1RO8pM13MgIeC0l6hvxnSxtVvSHnsN7gEwiOPRfOe6M7WZiIEyztCClZdKhb-Dse48&typo=1