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Global Policy & Affairs
Facilitating policies in support of optics and photonics worldwide.
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Global Health Initiative Webinar
Learn more about the Global Health Initiative
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Congressional Fellowship Program
Apply today for a unique public policy learning experience for PhD scientists or engineers. Application deadline 06 January 2023
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Monitoring Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Operations Report and Webinar
Optica, APS release joint report on methane emission.
Global Environmental Measurement and Monitoring Initiative (GEMM)
Engaging experts at institutions worldwide to form multidisciplinary regional centers that create and share new measurement technologies and climate models.
Discover GEMMGlobal Health Initiative
Coalescing research, applications, government and industry to develop and provide life-saving solutions worldwide.
Learn more about the initiativeAdvocate of Optics
Recognizing an outstanding public official from any country who demonstrates leadership and support for the advancement of optics and photonics.
Meet our honoreesCoalitions
Partnering with scientific, university and business organizations to achieve common goals.
Explore our partnershipsUS Public Affairs Programs
Providing Congressional Fellowships, Capitol Hill and District Visits and other resources to advance optics and photonics policy within the United States.
Take action in the USPolicy Issue Positions
Statements from the Optica Public Policy Council and Board of Directors on critical issues worldwide.
Find out where we stand on the issuesPublic Affairs
Optica Leads Multisociety Letter to White House and Congress Urging Action to Assist Ukrainians
“The undersigned organizations write to condemn the invasion of Ukraine and express our deep concern and strong support for the Ukrainian people during this time of crisis. We also urge quick Executive and Congressional action on immigration rules and research programs to aid Ukrainian students and researchers and their families in fleeing the country and establishing themselves elsewhere…”
Public Affairs
Scientific Societies Support Additional Visas for Students with STEM Degrees
Scientific societies, including Optica (formerly The Optical Society), signed onto a letter supporting increasing the number of EB (employment-based) visas for international students who earn, or previously earned, advanced STEM degrees in the United States. The letter also requests that these individuals be exempt from any per-country cap.
Public Affairs
An open letter from Russian scientists and science journalists against the war with Ukraine
“We, Russian scientists and scientific journalists, declare a strong protest against the hostilities launched by the armed forces of our country on the territory of Ukraine. This fatal step leads to huge human losses and undermines the foundations of the established system of international security. The responsibility for unleashing a new war in Europe lies entirely with Russia..."
Public-Affairs
Coalition asks White House to Support STEM Community in Afghanistan
Science societies including Optica (formerly The Optical Society) signed onto a letter to Dr. Eric Lander, the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to extend assistance to engineers, scientists, and other educated professionals in Afghanistan. The letter also asks them to assist women in STEM in their exodus from Afghanistan.