Advocacy for Physics and for Physicists: Results of an Informal Survey of American Physical Society Members in 2025

TL;DR

This survey of American Physical Society members in 2025 reveals general support for the society but also highlights concerns about organizational priorities and a desire for more personalized support, indicating potential disconnects.

Contribution

First empirical survey assessing APS members' perceptions and needs during a politically turbulent period in 2025.

Findings

Majority of members feel supported and well-informed by APS.

Up to 30% of members have concerns about organizational priorities.

Over two-thirds want more personal and concrete support from APS.

Abstract

In the wake of a rash of executive orders and administrative actions aimed at shaping the scale, scope, and focus of the scientific enterprise in the United States during the second Trump Presidency, we have undertaken a survey of members of the American Physical Society, the country's pre-eminent physics professional society to investigate their needs, interests, and priorities, and how their interests may differ from organizational leadership's priorities. This report provides detail on the context for the creation and implementation of the survey, as well as articulating results and some common themes found in responses. Broadly, our informal survey of APS members revealed that a majority of respondents perceive that the Society supports them, cares about their needs as physicists, and is communicating reliably and transparently. However, a sizeable proportion of respondents -- up to 30\% -- harbor concerns about the organization's actions, its prioritization of member needs over corporate interests, or its willingness to listen to members. In addition, a strong majority -- over two-thirds of respondents -- articulated a desire for more concrete and personal support from APS. While we acknowledge that the Society cannot be all things to all people, the results of our work lead us to the concern that there may indeed be a disconnect between the APS envisioned by those at the top of the organization and those who fill its ranks.