#BlackInPhysics week is an annual event dedicated to celebrating Black physicists and revealing a more complete picture of what a physicist looks like. The most recent event was 24–28 October 2022. This collection brings together all of Physics World's coverage of the event since its inception in 2020, and includes a series of essays written by Black physicists (co-published with Physics Today) as well as podcasts with the week's organizers and participants.
The joy of connecting quantum black dots
Mark Richards describes how his search for a community of fellow “quantum black dots” led him to found the Blackett Lab Family – the UK’s first national network of Black physicists
Celebrating joy in #BlackInPhysics week, open-access publishing supports climate justice
In this podcast we speak to two #BlackInPhysics week essayists and a climate justice researcher
Read article: Achieving a healthy work–life balance as a graduate student
Achieving a healthy work–life balance as a graduate student
After-work hobbies, days off and an occasional holiday are important strategies for maintaining mental health, as Amber Lenon explains
Read article: Holding onto your identity
Holding onto your identity
Danielle Speller explains how burnout is linked to identity and shares her advice for maintaining balance
Read article: The physics of burn-in and burnout
The physics of burn-in and burnout
Despite the pressure on physicists, particularly Black physicists, to always do more, it is essential to learn to put work aside, writes Larry Gladney
Read article: Finding a way to belong: impostor syndrome and mental health
Finding a way to belong: impostor syndrome and mental health
Belinda Cheeseboro describes how she learned to combat her fears of “not belonging” in physics by understanding what triggers them and taking time to look after her mental health
Read article: Taking responsibility: the ethics of being Black in physics
Taking responsibility: the ethics of being Black in physics
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein says that difficult conversations must be had when discussing what it means to be Black in physics
Read article: Burning back burnout
Burning back burnout
PhD student Garrett Williams describes how mentorship, outreach and introspection have helped him survive as a Black physicist
Read article: On the road less travelled: a Black physicist’s journey in academia
On the road less travelled: a Black physicist’s journey in academia
For Brooke Russell, a constructive, mentoring environment was crucial to her development as a physicist – and it’s essential for attracting new talent into the field
Read article: Part of the revolution: Black representation in AI and quantum information
Part of the revolution: Black representation in AI and quantum information
Jessica Esquivel and Charles D Brown II explain why Black physicists are vital to future progress in AI and quantum information science and engineering
Read article: The disability is there, but I belong
The disability is there, but I belong
NASA engineer K Renee Horton explains how having a hidden disability compounds the challenges of racial and gender bias
Read article: Measures of success: how to thrive as a student in physics
Measures of success: how to thrive as a student in physics
For Tamia Williams, determination, hard work and finding support in her community were key factors in being a successful physics student and researcher
Read article: A passion for nanotechnology in medicine: Black in Nanotech Week cofounder Olivia Geneus on inspiring new nanoscientists
A passion for nanotechnology in medicine: Black in Nanotech Week cofounder Olivia Geneus on inspiring new nanoscientists
A materials and music quiz and the sad demise of the Arecibo observatory are also in this week’s podcast
Read article: Celebrating Black physicists
Celebrating Black physicists
Two of the co-organizers of #BlackInPhysics week, Ashley Walker and Xandria Quichocho, talk about their journeys into physics and some of the barriers they've faced
Read article: #BlackInPhysics week set to celebrate Black physicists
#BlackInPhysics week set to celebrate Black physicists
Charles Brown, Eileen Gonzales and Xandria Quichocho outline how #BlackInPhysics week aims to boost the visibility of Black physicists
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